Ireland — Provinces, Counties & Physical Geography

The four provinces — Na ceithre cúige

1. 1 Leinster — Laighin Eastern province. 12 counties including Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath), Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny. Ireland's most populous province. e.g. Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Louth, Offaly, Laois, Longford, Kilkenny
2. 2 Munster — An Mhumhain Southern province. 6 counties. Home of Cork (the Republic's second city), Limerick, Kerry (the Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry). e.g. Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford
3. 3 Connacht — Connachta Western province. 5 counties. Much of Connacht is along the Wild Atlantic Way. Galway is the capital. e.g. Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim
4. 4 Ulster — Ulaidh Northern province. 9 counties — 3 in the Republic (Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan), 6 in Northern Ireland (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry/Derry, Tyrone). e.g. Only province that is divided between two jurisdictions

• ▶ RIVERS: River Shannon — longest river in Ireland (360km). River Liffey — flows through Dublin. River Lee — Cork city. River Boyne — site of Battle of the Boyne 1690.
• ▶ MOUNTAINS: MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Kerry) — highest range, contains Carrauntoohil (1,041m, Ireland's highest peak). Wicklow Mountains. Twelve Bens (Connemara).
• ▶ LOUGHS: Lough Corrib (Galway, largest in Republic). Lough Derg (Shannon). Lough Ree. Lough Neagh (Northern Ireland — largest lake in British Isles).
• ▶ COASTLINE: 2,500km of coastline. The Wild Atlantic Way (2,500km, world's longest coastal route) runs along the west coast from Donegal to Cork.
• ▶ BOGLANDS: approximately 20% of Ireland is covered in peat bog — unique habitat and historically used for fuel (turf/sod). Protected under EU Habitats Directive.
• ▶ THE BURREN (Co. Clare): a unique limestone karst landscape with Mediterranean, Arctic, and Alpine plants growing side by side — found nowhere else in Europe.
• ▶ POPULATION: Republic of Ireland — approximately 5.1 million. Northern Ireland — approximately 1.9 million. Dublin is by far the largest city (1.3m in greater Dublin area).