Citizens of Andorra, Antigua Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia,

Ireland is an island in north-western Europe which has been divided politically since 1920. Most of the island is made up of Ireland (Irish: Éire , also known as Poblacht na hÉireann = the Republic of Ireland). The remainder is Northern Ireland , which is part of the United Kingdom .
The island of Ireland historically consists of 32 counties, of which six, collectively known as Northern Ireland , have remained as part of the United Kingdom since the rest of Ireland gained self government in 1922. The name "Ireland" applies to the island as a whole, but in English is also the official name of the independent state (ie the 26 counties which are not part of the United Kingdom), since 1921.
Celtic tribes virginia beach discount hotels settled on the island virginia beach discount hotels in the 4th century BC. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally virginia beach discount hotels ended when King Brian Boru defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the early 12th century and set in place Ireland's uneasy position within England's sphere of influence. The Act of Union of 1800 - in which Catholics, 90% of the Irish population, were excluded from Parliament - saw Ireland joining the United Kingdom. In the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century the subject of Irish home rule was a major debate within the British parliament. After several failed attempts, a Home Rule bill finally passed through parliament in 1914 though the start of the first world war saw its indefinite postponement due to heavily armed unionist opposition. A failed rebellion on Easter Monday in 1916, (after which 15 of the surrendered leaders were shot by firing squad and 1 hanged) showed a hint of things to come with years of war to follow, beginning with the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) and continuing with the Irish Civil War (1922-1923).
Eventually a somewhat stable situation emerged with the self government of 26 of Ireland's counties known as the Irish Free State; the remaining six, located in the north of the country comprising two-thirds of the ancient province of Ulster, remained part of the United Kingdom a status that has continued to the present day. In 1949 the Irish Free State became "Ireland" (a.k.a. the Republic of Ireland) and withdrew from the British Commonwealth virginia beach discount hotels of Nations.
Ireland's history post-partition has been marked with violence, a period known as "The Troubles", generally regarded as beginning in the late 1960s, which saw large scale confrontation between opposing paramilitary groups seeking to either keep Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom or bring it into the Republic of Ireland as well as with the security forces. The Troubles saw many ups and downs in intensity of fighting and on many occasions they even spread to terrorist attacks in Britain and continental Europe. Both the government of the UK and Ireland were opposed to all terrorist groups. A peace settlement known as the Good Friday Agreement was finally approved in 1998 and is currently virginia beach discount hotels being implemented. All signs point to this agreement holding steady.
Though a relatively poor country for much of the 20th century, Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 (at the same time as the United Kingdom). Between the mid 1990s and late 2000s, Ireland saw massive economic boom (called 'The Celtic Tiger'), becoming one of the richest countries in Europe. However, the global banking crisis and subsequent recession have hit Ireland hard, and high levels of unemployment have returned.
Historically, Ireland was divided into four ancient provinces, namely Connacht , Leinster , Munster and Ulster , however these have no administrative significance today. Internationally, the best known of these of course is Ulster, since it is used as an umbrella term to describe Northern Ireland , although three of its nine counties are within the Republic. Today, you will often still see the other province names come up in sports teams for example, but for the most part the regions of Ireland are described as follows:
East Coast and Midlands ( County Dublin , County Kildare , County Laois , County Longford , County Louth , County Meath , County Offaly , County Westmeath , County Wicklow ) The Irish heartland, home to the capital and vibrant metropolis of Dublin .
Northwest Ireland and Lakelands ( County Cavan , County Donegal , County Leitrim , County Monaghan , County Sligo ) A region that is growing in tourism activity and has a lot to offer by way of natural beauty.
virginia beach discount hotels Dublin ( Baile Átha Cliath virginia beach discount hotels ) — the capital and the country's largest city. With excellent pubs, fine architecture and good shopping, Dublin is a very popular tourist destination and is the fourth most visited European capital.
Galway ( Gaillimh ) — a city on the river Corrib on the west coast of Ireland. Famous for its festivals and its location on Galway Bay. Known as the City of Tribes, virginia beach discount hotels Galway's summer is filled with festivals of music, food, Irish language and culture. Galway hosts over fifty festivals a year, including the Galway Oyster Festival. The locals seem to give off a positive Bohemian vibe. Galway is split between two types of beautiful landscape: the gorgeous mountains to the west, and the east's farming valleys.
Waterford ( Port Láirge ) — Ireland's oldest city. In the south-east and close to the ferry port at Rosslare . Waterford is good for those who want to learn more about the most ancient history virginia beach discount hotels of Ireland. Many festivals take place throughout the year including ((Spraoi)). Don't forget to try a blaa before you leave. (A floury bread bun peculiar to this area of Ireland).
Citizens of EU and EEA countries (and Switzerland) only require a valid national identity card or passport and do not require a visa for entry or employment; in many cases, the hold unlimited rights to employment and residence in Ireland.
Citizens of Andorra, Antigua Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji , Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Japan, Kirbati, Lesotho, Macao SAR, Malawi, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius , Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay , St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, the Seychelles, Singapore , the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea , Swaziland, Taiwan , Tonga, Trinidad Tobago, Tuvalu, virginia beach discount hotels the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, the Vatican City and Venezuela, plus British Nationals (Overseas), require virginia beach discount hotels valid passports for entry, but they do not need visas for stays not exceeding three months in length. The period of admission is determined by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry, but can be extended up to the full 90 days if required. Foreigners who enter without a visa can also extend this stay after entry, but within the initial period of admission and with a valid purpose. Longer stays, employment, and citizens of other countries normally require advance virginia beach discount hotels visas.
Citizens of other countries should virginia beach discount hotels check the visas lists [1] at the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs [2] . The visa application process for tourist visas is reasonably straightforward and is detailed on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration virginia beach discount hotels Service website [3] . Stays based on tourist visas cannot be extended past 90 days under any circumstances.
Because of an informal agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland, known as The Common virginia beach discount hotels Travel Area , there are no passport controls virginia beach discount hotels in effect for UK citizens travelling to Ireland. On arriving in an Irish airport from the UK, however, you will be asked for valid official photo-identification such as a passport or driving licence which shows your nationality. This is to prove you are an Irish, UK, or EU citizen who is entitled to avail of the Common Travel Area arrangements. Immigration controls virginia beach discount hotels are mandatory on all inbound virginia beach discount hotels flights, selective on ferries, and occasional at the land border crossings.
Citizens of China and India who have a valid UK visit visa (i.e. general, business, virginia beach discount hotels student, family, entertainment, sports, private medical treatment, parent of a child at school, prospective entrepreneur, permitted paid engagement) issued later this year will soon be able visit the Republic of Ireland on that visa provided that: a) the visa was issued in accredited Chinese or Indian visa application centres after the scheme is rolled out; and b) the traveller enters through the UK first before the Republic of Ireland. The scheme is expected to be rolled out before the year 2014 ends to Chinese and Indian nationals; with nationals of other countries expected to follow at the end of 2015. UK Transit visa holders as well as other long-term UK visa/residence permit holders virginia beach discount hotels (e.g. Tier 2, Tier 4, Indefinite Leave to Remain) are not eligible to use the scheme even if they are Chinese or Indian nationals, and will hence need to apply for a visa using the previously-established procedures.
virginia beach discount hotels If you cross into Ireland by land after arriving in the United Kingdom and being stamped to enter the UK, you will go through passport control at your port of entry into the UK, but you likely will not be required virginia beach discount hotels to clear Irish immigration controls, and your authorized stay will generally be under the conditions of your admission to the UK. If you are transiting to Ireland through the UK, however, you will be required to clear passport control in the UK, even if travelling by air. Even if you clear immigration in Ireland, however, after arriving from the UK, this does not count as interrupting your stay in the UK and, accordingly, time spend in Ireland will count against the time you were admitted to the UK.
If you intend to travel to the UK from Ireland, even in transit, you will clear passport control in Ireland, but you will not go through Immigration on arrival in the UK. However, your stay will be limited to a maximum of three months , not six. If you intend to stay in the UK for longer than three months, especi