Ireland, Irish Eire ârˈə [to it are related the poetic Erin and perhaps the Latin Hibernia ], island, 32,598 sq mi (84,429 sq km), second largest of the British Isles. The island is divided into two major political units—Northern Ireland (see Ireland, Northern), which is joined with Great Britain in the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland (see Ireland, Republic of). Of the 32 counties of Ireland, 26 lie in the Republic, and of the four historic provinces, three and part of the fourth are in the Republic.

Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Half the size of Arkansas, it occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. Ireland resembles a basin—a central plain rimmed with mountains, except in the Dublin region. The mountains are low, with the highest peak, Carrantuohill in County Kerry, rising to 3,415 ft (1,041 m). The principal river is the Shannon, which begins in the north-central area, flows south and southwest for about 240 mi (386 km), and empties into the Atlantic.

Tourism is an important driver of economic activity for Ireland. As well as being our longest-standing source of service export earnings, it also directly and indirectly supports employment across the country for a range of skill levels – often in areas where the scope to develop other export-focused sectors is constrained. The tourism and hospitality industry employs approximately 180,000 people and generates an estimated €5 billion a year in revenue from home and abroad – equivalent to over 3% of GDP or almost 4% of GNP [at constant (2009) prices]. Tourism also shapes Ireland’s image and attractiveness as a place to live, work and invest.

INDIAN MISSIONS IN IRELAND

Ambassador of India, Mr. Debashish Chakravarti
6, Leeson Park, Dublin 6,
Ireland.

Telephone: +00-353-1-4970843, 4966792, 4966787, 4970984
Fax: +00-353-1-4978074, 4966770
E-Mail:ambembassy@eircom.net
Website:www.eircom.net