Introduction
Subdivisions
Ireland has traditionally been divided into four provinces, each divided into several counties, or contaetha:
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Connacht
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G Galway
Gaillimhe
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LM Leitrim
Liatroim
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MO Mayo
Maigh Eo
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RN Roscommon
Ros Comáin
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SO Sligo
Sligeach
-
-
Leinster
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CW Carlow
Ceatharlach
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D Dublin
Baile Átha Cliath
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Dublin City
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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
Dún Laoghaire-Ráth an Dúin
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Fingal
Fine Gall
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South Dublin
Áth Cliath Theas
-
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KE Kildare
Cill Dara
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KK Kilkenny
Cill Chainnigh
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LS Laois
Laois
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LD Longford
An Longfort
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LH Louth
Lú
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MH Meath
An Mhí
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OY Offaly
Uíbh Fhailí
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WH Westmeath
An Iarmhí
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WX Wexford
Loch Garman
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WW Wicklow
Cill Mhantáin
-
-
Munster
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CE Clare
An Clár
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C Cork
Corcaigh
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KY Kerry
Ciarraí
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L Limerick
Luimneach
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T Tipperary
Tiobraid Árann
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W Waterford
Port Láirge
-
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Ulster
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Antrim NI
Aontroim
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Armagh NI
Ard Mhacha
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CN Cavan
An Cabhán
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DL Donegal
Dún na nGall
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Down NI
Dún
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Fermanagh NI
Fear Manach
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Derry/Londonderry NI
Doire
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MN Monaghan
Muineachán
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Tyrone NI
Tír Eoghain
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Counties labeled NI are in Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom. The word "county" is usually prefixed to the county's name rather than suffixed; thus it would be County Sligo, and not Sligo County. Galway and Cork are separate entities from Counties Galway and Sligo, respectively. County Dublin was split up into three city-level counties in addition to Dublin City itself.
License Plates
As a member of the EU, Ireland's license plates feature a blue band on the left side of the plate with the EU circle of stars and the country code IRL. Plates are white with black text: IRL123-AB-45678. The one or two letters in between represent the county of registration, the codes for which can be found in the Subdivisions list above. These codes are typically the first and last letters of the county's name, with some exceptions.
Phone Codes
Phone numbers in Ireland are geographically organized, but don't always follow county borders. Phone numbers are typically prefixed with a zero (0):
Dublin 1
- Dublin (includes parts of counties Wicklow, Kildare, and Meath)
Cork 2
- Metropolitan Cork, Kinsale, Coachford
- Mallow
- Bandon
- Youghal
- Fermoy
- Macroom
- Bantry
- Skibbereen
- Kanturk
East, Midlands, and North 4
- Arklow, Wicklow
- Drogheda, Ardee, Duleek
- Dundalk, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney
- Longford, Granard
- Mullingar, Kinnegad, Castlepollard, Tyrrellspass
- Naas, Newbridge, Kildare, The Curragh
- Navan, Kells, Trim, Edenderry, Enfield
- Monaghan, Clones
- Northern Ireland
- Cavan, Cootehill, Oldcastle, Belturbet
Midlands and Southeast 5
- Thurles, Roscrea
- Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, New Ross, Kilmacthomas
- Clonmel, Cahir, Killenaule
- Wexford, Enniscorthy, Ferns, Gorey
- N/A
- N/A
- Kilkenny, Castlecomer, Freshford
- Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Tullamore, Birr
- Dungarvan
- Carlow, Muine Bheag, Athy, Baltinglass
Southwest 6
- Limerick, Shannon, Scariff
- Tipperary, Cashel
- Rathluirc (Charleville)
- Killarney, Rathmore
- Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush
- Tralee, Dingle, Killorglin, Cahersiveen
- Nenagh
- Listowel
- Newcastlewest
Northwest 7
- Sligo, Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon
- N/A
- N/A
- Letterkenny, Donegal, Dungloe, Buncrana
West 9
- Athlone, Ballinasloe, Portumna, Roscommon
- Galway, Gort, Loughrea
- N/A
- Tuam
- Castlebar, Claremorris, Castlerea, Ballinrobe
- Clifden
- Ballina
- Belmullet
- Westport
- Kilronan
Roads, Markings, and Signage
Highways & Road Numbering Schemes
Architecture
Language
Language overview
Script
Language uses the 26 standard letters of the Latin alphabet:
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii
Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr
Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
Samples
Irish
Saolaítear na daoine uile saor agus comhionann ina ndínit agus ina gcearta. Tá bua an réasúin agus an choinsiasa acu agus dlíd iad féin d'iompar de mheon bráithreachais i leith a chéile.
English
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.