Ireland (island) Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
island in the North Atlantic Ocean
About Ireland (island)
Known as the "Emerald Isle", Ireland is the second-largest island of theBritish Isles, the third-largest inEurope, and the twentieth-largest on Earth. Ireland has two cultures: the historical Gaelic culture (including one of the oldest literatures in Western Europe) and the more recent English-speaking culture which largely replaced it. The earliest evidence of human presence in Ireland goes back to 10,500 BCE. During the Iron Age (beginning c. 800 BCE) a Celtic language and culture emerged in Ireland. The island was Christianised from the 5th century onward. The Normans invaded in the early 12th century CE and set in place Ireland's uneasy position within England's sphere of influence. However, English rule did not extend over the whole island until the end of the Elizabethan period. Iris
Ireland (island) Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 15 sections including: