View source for Geography of Ireland

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{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox country geography
| name                    = Ireland
| map                     = Ireland (MODIS).jpg
| continent               = Europe
| region                  = [[Northwestern Europe]]
| coordinates             = 
| area ranking            = 
| km area                 = 84,421
| percent land            = 98.2
| km coastline            = 7524
| exclusive economic zone = <!-- {{convert|410,310|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} This is for RoI, not the island, so not appropriate -->
| borders                 = <!-- {{convert|499|km|mi|abbr=on}} land border with [[Northern Ireland]] This is for RoI, not the island, so not appropriate -->
| highest point           = [[Carrauntoohil]] {{convert|1039|metres|feet|0}}
| lowest point            = [[North Slob]] {{convert|-3|metres|feet|0}}
| longest river           = [[River Shannon]] {{convert|360.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| largest lake            = [[Lough Neagh]] {{convert|392|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} <!-- [[Northern Ireland]] hidden, article is about island -->
| climate                 = [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]] with some upland areas classified as [[Oceanic climate#Subpolar variety (Cfc, Cwc)|oceanic subpolar]]
| terrain                 = flat, low-lying area in the midlands, ringed by mountain ranges
| natural resources       = [[aquaculture]], [[fertile soil]], [[freshwater]], [[timber]], [[peat]], [[bauxite]], [[copper]], [[zinc]], [[lead]], [[gold]], [[silver]], [[iron]], [[gypsum]], [[natural gas]], [[hydropower]], [[Wind power|wind energy]]
| natural hazards         = [[Cyclone]]s, flooding, thunderstorms
| environmental issues    = [[Water pollution]], [[Leaching (agriculture)|Leaching]], [[Climate change]], [[Waste disposal]]
}}

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[[Ireland]] is an island in [[Northern Europe]], in the north [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The island measures about {{convert|480|km|abbr=on}} north-south, and {{convert|275|km|abbr=on}} east-west, with a total area of {{convert|84421|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="irlgov">{{cite web |last=Nolan |first=Professor William |title=Geography of Ireland |url=http://www.gov.ie/en/essays/geography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124012641/http://www.gov.ie/en/essays/geography.html |archive-date=24 November 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 |publisher=[[Government of Ireland]]}}</ref> It lies about {{coord|53|N|8|W|type:isle|display=inline,title}}, near the western edge of the European continental shelf, part of the [[Eurasian Plate]]. Ireland is separated from the island of [[Great Britain]] by the [[Irish Sea]] to the east, and from [[mainland Europe]] by the [[Celtic Sea]] to the south. It is bounded to the north by the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] and to the south by [[St George's Channel]]. Ireland is the second-largest landmass in the [[British Isles]], after Great Britain and before [[Lewis and Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Nicky |date=28 October 2013 |title=Complex politics or simple geography: Is Ireland part of the British Isles? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/is-ireland-british-isles-northern-ireland-europe-islands-1140112-Oct2013/ |access-date=2021-01-26 |website=TheJournal.ie |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916011300/https://www.thejournal.ie/is-ireland-british-isles-northern-ireland-europe-islands-1140112-Oct2013/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="postwarculture">{{citation |last1=Davies |first1=Alistair |title=British Culture of the Postwar: An Introduction to Literature and Society, 1945–1999 |page=[https://archive.org/details/britishcultureof00adav/page/9 9] |year=2000 |url=https://archive.org/details/britishcultureof00adav/page/9 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-12811-7 |quote=Many of the Irish dislike the 'British' in 'British Isles', while the Welsh and Scottish are not keen on 'Great Britain'. ... In response to these difficulties, 'Britain and Ireland' is becoming preferred usage although there is a growing trend amounts some critics to refer to Britain and Ireland as 'the archipelago'. |last2=Sinfield |first2=Alan}}</ref>

Its main [[geography|geographical]] features include low central [[plain]]s surrounded by coastal mountains. The highest peak is [[Carrauntoohil]] ({{langx|ga|Corrán Tuathail}}), which is {{convert|1039|metres|feet|0}} above sea level. The western [[coast]]line is rugged, with many islands, [[peninsula]]s, headlands and bays, while the southern and northern coasts have a smaller number of substantial sea inlets, such as [[Lough Foyle]] and [[Cork Harbour]]; no part of the land is more than around {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}} from the sea. The island is almost bisected by the [[River Shannon]], which at {{convert|360.5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} with a {{convert|102.1|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} [[estuary]] is the longest river in Ireland and flows south from [[County Cavan]] in the province of [[Ulster]] to form the boundary between [[Connacht]] and [[Leinster]], and later [[Munster]], and meet the Atlantic just south and west of [[Limerick]]. [[Lough Neagh]] is the largest of several sizeable lakes along Ireland's rivers.

The island has a temperate oceanic climate, mild and humid, and is warmer than other landmasses at the same latitude thanks to the winds on the Atlantic Ocean, ocean currents, and circulations. The island is one of the least forested areas in Europe, though forestation is expanding, but has a strong agricultural sector. It has a limited range of mineral resources, and has only had two major gas finds, and none in the oil sector. Hydroelectric energy is used, and wind farms are growing; neither solar nor [[tidal energy]] is much exploited.

Politically, the island consists of the [[Republic of Ireland]], with jurisdiction over about five-sixths of the island, and [[Northern Ireland]], a [[Countries of the United Kingdom|constituent part]] of the [[United Kingdom]], with jurisdiction over the remaining sixth. The island has traditionally been divided into four provinces, each of which is divided into counties. Of the 32 counties in total, 26 are in the Republic of Ireland, with the remaining 6 in Northern Ireland.

==Geological development==
{{Main article|Geology of Ireland}}
[[File:SlieveLeague1.jpg|thumb|[[Slieve League]] in western [[Banagh]]|alt=See caption]]
The geology of Ireland is diverse. Different regions contain rocks belonging to different geological periods, dating back almost 2 billion years. The oldest known Irish [[Rock (geology)|rock]] is about 1.7 billion years old and is found on [[Inishtrahull Island]] off the north coast of [[Inishowen]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Site Synopsis (Inishtrahull) |publisher=National Parks and Wildlife Service |url=http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3875,en.pdf |access-date=30 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327121447/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media%2C3875%2Cen.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Geological History of Britain and Ireland |last=Woodcock |first=N. H. |year=2000 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |isbn=978-0-632-03656-1 |page=57 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dTkKn8Ufzd4C |access-date=16 October 2015 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501044017/https://books.google.com/books?id=dTkKn8Ufzd4C |url-status=live }}</ref> and on the mainland at Annagh Head on the [[Mullet Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Daly |first=J. Stephen |title=Pre-Caledonian History of the Annagh Gneiss Complex North-Western Ireland, and Correlation with Laurentia-Baltica |journal=Irish Journal of Earth Sciences |volume=15 |pages=5–18 |publisher=[[Royal Irish Academy]] |location=Dublin |year=1996 |jstor=30002311}}</ref> The newer formations are the [[drumlin]]s and glacial valleys as a result of the last ice age, and the sinkholes and cave formations in the limestone regions of Clare.<ref>{{cite book |title=Geology and Environment in Britain and Ireland |last=Woodcock |first=N. H. |year=1994 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-85728-054-8 |page=13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=A New History of Ireland |last=Moody |first=Theodore William |author2=Francis John Byrne |author3=Francis X Martin |author4=Art Cosgrove |year=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-821737-4 |page=37 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SJSDj1dDvNUC |access-date=16 October 2015 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501044027/https://books.google.com/books?id=SJSDj1dDvNUC |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ireland's geological history includes a wide range of elements, from [[volcanism]] and tropical seas to the [[last glacial period]]. Ireland was formed in two distinct parts, which slowly joined, [[Iapetus Suture|uniting]] about 440 million years ago. As a result of tectonics and the effect of ice, the sea level has risen and fallen. In every area of the country, the rocks which formed can be seen as a result. Finally, the impact of the glaciers shaped the landscape seen today.<ref>{{cite book | last = Foster | first = John Wilson |author2=Helena C. G. Chesney | title = Nature in Ireland: A Scientific and Cultural History | publisher = McGill-Queen's Press | year = 1998 | page = 16 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SG8sbdTzUdgC&q=esker+riada | isbn = 978-0-7735-1817-9 }}</ref> The variation between the two areas, along with the differences between volcanic areas and shallow seas, led to a range of soils. There are extensive [[bog]]s and free-draining brown earths. The mountains are [[granite]], [[sandstone]], [[limestone]] with [[karst]] areas, and [[basalt]] formations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bog of Allen |work=Ask About Ireland |publisher=[[Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment|Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government]] |url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/irelands-environment/county-focus/kildare/bog-of-allen/ |access-date=22 November 2013 |archive-date=4 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604061826/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/irelands-environment/county-focus/kildare/bog-of-allen/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast | publisher = [[World Heritage Site|Unesco World Heritage Sites]] | url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369 | access-date = 23 January 2008 | archive-date = 19 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119193930/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/369 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20110813062050/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/61005289/ABSTRACT Brittle tectonism in relation to the Palaeogene evolution of the Thulean/NE Atlantic domain: a study in Ulster] (Subscription required) Retrieved on 10 November 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Deegan |first=Gordon |title=Blasting threatens future of stalactite |newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]] |date=27 May 1999 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/27/ihead.htm |access-date=23 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629130315/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/05/27/ihead.htm |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref>

Most of Ireland was probably above sea level during the [[Cenozoic|last 60 million years]]. As such its landscapes have been shaped by [[erosion]] and [[weathering]] on land.<ref name="SimmsCoxon" /> Protracted erosion also means most of the [[Paleogene]] and [[Neogene]] sediments have been eroded away or, as known in a few cases, buried by [[Quaternary]] deposits.<ref name="Mitchell1980">{{cite journal |last1=Mitchell |first1=G.F. |date=1980 |title=The search for Tertiary Ireland |journal=Journal of Earth Sciences Royal Dublin Society |volume=3 |pages=13–33 }}</ref> Before the [[Quaternary glaciation]]s affected Ireland the landscape had developed thick weathered [[regolith]] on the uplands and karst in the lowlands.<ref name="SimmsCoxon" /> There has been some controversy regarding the origin of the [[planation surface]]s found in Ireland.<ref name="Mitchell1980" /><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=A.A. |date=1955 |title=The origin of the South Ireland Peneplane |journal=Irish Geography |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=79–86 |doi= 10.1080/00750775509555491|doi-access=free }}</ref> While some have argued for an origin in marine planation, others regard these surfaces as [[peneplain]]s formed by weathering and [[cycle of erosion|fluvial erosion]]. Not only is their origin disputed but also their actual extent and the relative role of [[eustacy|sea-level change]] and tectonics in their shaping.<ref name="Mitchell1980" /> Most river systems in Ireland formed in the Cenozoic before the Quaternary glaciations. Rivers follow for most of their course [[structural geology|structural]] features of the [[geology of Ireland]]. Marine erosion since the [[Miocene]] may have made Ireland's western coast retreat more than 100&nbsp;km. Pre-Quaternary relief was more dramatic than today's [[glacial erosion|glacier-smoothened]] landscapes.<ref name="SimmsCoxon">{{cite book |last1=Simms |first1=Michael J.|last2=Coxon|first2=Peter |date=2017|chapter=The Pre-Quaternary Landscape of Ireland |title=Advances in Irish Quaternary Studies|editor-last=Coxon|editor-first=Peter|editor-last2=McCarron|editor-first2=Stephen|editor-last3=Mitchell|editor-first3=Fraser |publisher=Atlantis Press |pages=19–42 |series=Atlantis Advances in Quaternary Science|isbn=978-94-6239-219-9 }}</ref>

==Physical geography==
===Mountain ranges===
{{see also|List of mountains in Ireland}}
[[File:Ireland physical large.png|thumb|Mountains, lakes, rivers and other physical features of Ireland are shown on this map.|alt=See caption]]

Ireland consists of a mostly flat low-lying area in what are known as the Midlands. It is ringed by mountain ranges such as—beginning in County Cork and working clockwise—the [[Boggeragh Mountains]], [[Derrynasaggart Mountains]], [[Caha Mountains]], [[MacGillycuddy's Reeks]], [[Slieve Mish Mountains]], [[Mullaghareirk Mountains]], the [[Twelve Bens]]/[[Maumturks]] group, [[Nephinbeg Mountains]], [[Ox Mountains]], [[Bluestack Mountains]], [[Derryveagh Mountains]], [[Sperrin Mountains]], [[Mourne Mountains|the Mournes]], [[Wicklow Mountains]], [[Blackstairs Mountains]], [[Comeragh Mountains]] and [[Knockmealdown Mountains]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools">{{cite book |last=O Duinin |first=Padraig |publisher=The Educational Company of Ireland |title=Second Atlas for Irish Schools |edition=3rd |page=5}}</ref><ref name="HandBk1849" />{{rp|3}}<ref name="MountainsofIrelandBook">{{cite book| last=McCormack |first=Gareth |title=The Mountains of Ireland |publisher=The Collins Press | place=Dublin |year=2016}}</ref> Some mountain ranges are further inland in the south of Ireland, such as the [[Galtee Mountains]] (the highest inland range),<ref>{{cite web|title=Glen of Aherlow|publisher=Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society|url=http://aherlow.com/walking/|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717004419/http://aherlow.com/walking/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Silvermine Mountains|Silvermine]] and [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> There is an area of raised land near the northeastern coast, the Antrim Plateau, which contains the [[Glens of Antrim]]; this area is sometimes called the Mountains of Antrim.<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> The highest peak [[Carrauntoohil]], at {{convert|1038.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} high,<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> is in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, a range of glacier-carved sandstone mountains. Only three peaks on the island are over {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="OSIFAQS">{{cite web |title=Ordnance Survey FAQs |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey of Ireland]] |url=http://www.osi.ie/about/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ |access-date=12 August 2016 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819215220/http://www.osi.ie/about/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and another 457 exceed {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web | title = 500 m Irish Mountains | publisher = MountainViews.com | url = http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?log_sort=height&log_sort_dir=up | access-date = 11 January 2008 | archive-date = 18 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071118192751/http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?log_sort=height&log_sort_dir=up | url-status = live }}</ref> There are a number of walking trails in the mountains, with the longest being that through the Wicklow Mountains. In the Mourne Mountains, with multiple walking trails, a wall was built between the 13 major peaks, the {{convert|36|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} Mourne Wall.<ref name="MountainsofIrelandBook" />

Ireland is sometimes known as the "Emerald Isle" because of its green landscape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/CIL/DrennanErin.php|title=When Erin First Rose|website=libraryireland.com|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Maurer |first=Erin |title=What Is 'The Emerald Isle?' |work=[[USA Today]] |date=15 March 2018 |url=https://traveltips.usatoday.com/emerald-isle-34850.html |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025055511/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/emerald-isle-34850.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Emerald Isle: Ireland from Space |publisher=Live Science |year=2012 |url=https://www.livescience.com/31260-emerald-isle-ireland-space.html |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430130111/https://www.livescience.com/31260-emerald-isle-ireland-space.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rivers and lakes===
{{see also|List of rivers of Ireland|List of loughs of Ireland}}
[[File:NunsTurgesius Castle isles Lough Lene.JPG|thumb|left|[[Lough Lene]], County Westmeath|alt=See caption]]
Waterbodies accounted for around 2% of the land area of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland are over {{convert|74000|km}} of rivers and streams, more than {{convert|125000|ha}} of lake and over {{convert|3000|ha}} of reservoirs; these are not evenly distributed—over 30% of the watercourse length is found in Counties Cork, Donegal and Mayo, while Counties Mayo and Galway hold over 40% of the total lake area. Almost all of the reservoir area lies in just two counties, Wicklow (2/3) and Cork (1/3).<ref>{{cite book|title="Ecosystem accounts – Rivers and Lakes by Extent" |year=2018 |last=Sharkey |first=Nova |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref> In Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh is by far the leading source of water.<ref name="LNeagh_NIWater">{{Cite web |title=Your water is safe to drink |url=https://www.niwater.com/news-detail/12350/Your-water-is-safe-to-drink/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Northern Ireland Water |archive-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404165315/https://www.niwater.com/news-detail/12350/Your-water-is-safe-to-drink/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[River Shannon]], at {{convert|360.5|km|mi|abbr=}} in length, is the longest river in Ireland and Britain. With a drainage area of {{convert|16865|km2|sqmi|0|abbr= on}},<ref>{{cite book|title= Biology and Management of European Eel (''Anguilla anguilla'', L) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland|chapter-url= http://europeaneel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/chapter-2-study-area.pdf|chapter= Chapter 2: Study Area|access-date= 7 September 2014|archive-date= 7 September 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140907173249/http://europeaneel.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/chapter-2-study-area.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> the [[Shannon River Basin]] covers one-fifth of the island. The Shannon crosses 11 counties and divides the west of Ireland from the south and east. The river develops into three large lakes along its course, [[Lough Allen]], [[Lough Ree]], and [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]].<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> The River Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean at [[Limerick]] city along the [[Shannon Estuary]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" />

Other major rivers include the [[River Liffey]] and its leading tributary, the [[River Dodder]], and the nearby [[River Tolka|Tolka River]], [[River Slaney]], the Three Sisters (the Rivers [[River Nore|Nore]], [[River Suir|Suir]] and [[River Barrow|Barrow]]), [[River Lee (Ireland)|River Lee]], [[River Erne]], [[River Foyle|Foyle River]], [[River Bann]], [[River Lagan]], and [[River Boyne]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> There are also multiple River Blackwaters, the most significant being the [[Munster Blackwater]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /> The river with the greatest output volume is the Shannon but the second-greatest volume is in the short but powerful [[River Corrib]].<ref name="Ospar Convention 2009">{{citation |last=Mac Cárthaigh |first=Micheál |title=Comprehensive study of Riverine Inputs: Details of hydrometric stations, sampling stations: Table 2 |page=17 |publisher=Irish Environmental Agency |location=Dublin |date=January 2011 |url=http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/flows/Hydrometric%20Data%20for%20the%202009%20OSPAR%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228153452/http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/flows/Hydrometric%20Data%20for%20the%202009%20OSPAR%20Report.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2021}}</ref>

[[Lough Neagh]], in Ulster,<ref name="OSIFAQS" /> is the largest lake in Ireland and Britain with an area of {{convert|392|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. The largest lake in the [[Republic of Ireland]] is Lough Corrib {{convert|176|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Other large lakes, besides the three major Shannon examples, include the two linked lakes known as [[Lough Erne]], [[Lough Mask]] and Lough Corrib, and [[Lough Conn]].<ref name="AtlasforSchools" /><ref name="OSIFAQS" />

===Inlets===
{{see also|List of Irish counties by coastline}}
<!-- [[File:Topography Ireland.jpg|thumb|[[Topography]] of Ireland|alt=See caption]] -->

[[File:Killary Harbour.jpg|thumb|left|[[Killary Harbour]] forms a natural border between counties [[County Galway|Galway]] and [[County Mayo|Mayo]] for {{convert|16|km}}|alt=A photograph of Killary Harbour]]
In County Donegal, [[Lough Swilly]] separates the western side of the [[Inishowen peninsula]] from the wider county. [[Lough Foyle]] on the other side, is one of Ireland's larger inlets, situated between County Donegal and [[County Londonderry]].<ref name="donegal">{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Donegal | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Donegal.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 1 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080101022944/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Donegal.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Clockwise round the coast is [[Belfast Lough]], between County Antrim and County Down.<ref name="down">{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Down | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Down.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065218/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Down.php | url-status = live }}</ref> Also in County Down is [[Strangford Lough]], actually an inlet partially separating the [[Ards peninsula]] from the mainland. Further south, [[Carlingford Lough]] is situated between Down and [[County Louth]].<ref name="down" />

[[Dublin Bay]] is the next sizeable inlet. The east coast of Ireland has no major inlets until [[Wexford Harbour]] at the mouth of the River Slaney.<ref>{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Wexford | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Wexford.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065323/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Wexford.php | url-status = live }}</ref> On the south coast, [[Waterford Harbour]] is situated at the mouth of the River Suir,<ref>{{cite web | last = Joyce | first = P.W. | title = Description of County Waterford | work = Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland | year = 1900 | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Waterford.php | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 31 December 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071231065313/http://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Waterford.php | url-status = live }}</ref> into which the other two of the [[The Three Sisters (Ireland)|Three Sisters]] (the Rivers Nore and Barrow) flow. The next major inlet is [[Cork Harbour]], at the mouth of the River Lee, in which [[Great Island]] is situated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://infomar.ie/surveying/Bays/Corkv1.php |title=Surveys – Cork Harbour and Coast |publisher=Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR) |access-date=6 August 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214047/http://infomar.ie/surveying/Bays/Corkv1.php |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>

[[Dunmanus Bay]], [[Kenmare River|Kenmare estuary]] and [[Dingle Bay]] are all inlets between the peninsulas of western [[County Cork]] and [[County Kerry]]. North of these is the Shannon Estuary. Between north County Clare and County Galway is [[Galway Bay]]. [[Clew Bay]] is located on the coast of [[County Mayo]], south of [[Achill Island]], while [[Broadhaven Bay]], [[Blacksod Bay]] and [[Sruth Fada Conn]] bays are situated in northwest Connacht, in North Mayo. [[Killala Bay]] is on the northeast coast of Mayo. [[Donegal Bay]] is a major inlet between County Donegal and [[County Sligo]].<ref name="donegal" />

A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were {{Convert|565|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of tidal flats in Ireland, making it the 43rd-ranked country in terms of tidal flat area.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8 |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124213205/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Headlands===
[[Malin Head]] is the most northerly point in Ireland,<ref>{{cite web | title = Malin Head | work = Weather Observing Stations | publisher = [[Met Éireann]] | url = http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/malinhead.asp | access-date = 2 February 2008 | archive-date = 19 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071119113903/http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/malinhead.asp | url-status = live }}</ref> while [[Mizen Head]] is one of the [[Extreme points of Ireland|most southern points]], hence the term "from [[Malin to Mizen]]" (or the reverse) is used for anything applying to the island of Ireland as a whole. [[Carnsore Point]] is another extreme point of Ireland, being its southeasternmost point. [[Hook Head]] and the [[Old Head of Kinsale]] are two of many headlands along the south coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnsore Point |publisher=South Wexford Coast |year=2023 |url=https://www.southwexfordcoast.com/carnsore-point |access-date=6 August 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal overview for Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/19/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165416/https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/19/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Loop Head]] is the headland at which County Clare comes to a point on the west coast of Ireland, with the Atlantic on the north, and the Shannon estuary to the south.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/26/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806165419/https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/26/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hag's Head]] is another headland further up Clare's north/western coastline, with the [[Cliffs of Moher]] along the coastline north of the point.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coastal Overview for Loop Head to Slyne Head |work=Sailing routes |publisher=eOceanic.com |year=2023 |url=https://eoceanic.com/sailing/routes/32/ |access-date=6 August 2023 }}</ref>

===Islands and peninsulas===
{{see also|List of islands of Ireland|List of islands of County Mayo}}
[[File:Dingle Peninsula.jpg|thumb|left|Dingle Peninsula as viewed from [[Banna Strand]]|alt=See caption]]
Achill Island, off the west coast, is the largest of Ireland's offshore islands. Achill is inhabited, and is permanently connected to the mainland by a bridge.<ref>{{cite book |title=Oileain: A Guide to the Irish Islands |last=Walsh |first=David |author2=Sean Pierce |year=2004 |publisher=Pesda Press |isbn=978-0-9531956-9-5 |page= 158 }}</ref> Some of the next largest islands are the [[Aran Islands]], off the coast of southern [[Connacht]], host to an Irish-speaking community, or [[Gaeltacht]]. [[Valentia Island]] off the [[Iveragh peninsula]] is also one of Ireland's larger islands, and is relatively settled, as well as being connected by a bridge at its southeastern end.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 November 2023|publisher=Irish Tourisn.com|title=Valentia Island|url=https://www.irishtourism.com/valentia-island|year=2023}}</ref> [[Omey Island]], off the coast of [[Connemara]], is a [[tidal island]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Omey Island:Discover the mysterious tidal island in Connemara |work=The Islands |via=galwaytourism.ie |year=2023 |url=https://www.galwaytourism.ie/omey-island |accessdate=25 July 2023 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406163659/https://www.galwaytourism.ie/omey-island/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some of the best-known peninsulas in Ireland are in Counties Cork and Kerry: the [[Dingle peninsula]], the Iveragh peninsula and the [[Beara peninsula]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Kerry |encyclopedia=Geography and Travel |publisher=Britannica.com |date=27 October 2023 |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerry |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119175740/https://www.britannica.com/place/Kerry |url-status=live }}</ref> Other promontories outside the southwest include the [[Fanad|Fanad (Fannet Head)]], Mullet Peninsula, the Old Head of Kinsale, Hook Head, [[Howth Head]] and the [[Cooley Peninsula]].<ref name="HandBk1849">{{Cite book |last=Fraser |first=James |title=A Hand Book for Travellers to Ireland |publisher=James McGlashan (with William Orr & Co.) |year=1849 |edition=6th thousand ("enlarged and corrected") |location=Dublin}}</ref>{{rp|4}} The Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal includes Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head, and several towns, including [[Buncrana]] on Lough Swilly,<ref name="UKIndo_Inishowen">{{Cite news |date=2023-07-17 |title=Adventures in Inishowen: Ireland's dream peninsula |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/ireland/wild-atlantic-way-inishowen-peninsula-b2369709.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226194238/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/ireland/wild-atlantic-way-inishowen-peninsula-b2369709.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Carndonagh]] and [[Moville]] on Lough Foyle.<ref name="InishowenBk_Swan_1938">{{Cite book |last=Swan |first=Henry Percival |title=The Book of Inishowen: A Guide Book and Conspectus of Information Relating to the Barony of Inishowen, County Donegal |publisher=W. Doherty (printers) |year=1938 |location=Buncrana, County Donegal}}</ref>

Ireland's most northerly undisputed land feature is Inishtrahull island, off Malin Head.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inishowen Peninsula |work=via ireland.com |publisher=[[Tourism Ireland]] |year=2023 |url=https://www.ireland.com/en-au/destinations/regions/inishowen-peninsula/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101161230/https://www.ireland.com/en-au/destinations/regions/inishowen-peninsula/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rockall]] Island lies farther north but its status is disputed, being claimed by the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, [[Denmark]] (on behalf of the [[Faroe Islands]]) and [[Iceland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Written Answers: Rockall Island |work=Dáil Éireann Debates |publisher=[[Oireachtas]] |date=24 March 2011 |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2011-03-24/32/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183149/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2011-03-24/32/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The most southerly point is the [[Fastnet Rock]].<ref>{{cite news  |title=Light on a Lonely Rock |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=18 December 2008 |url=https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2008/12/18/light-on-a-lonely-rock |access-date=1 November 2023 }}</ref>

The [[Hebrides]] off [[Geography of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Anglesey]] off [[Geography of Wales|Wales]] were grouped with Ireland ("[[Hibernia]]") by the Greco-Roman geographer [[Claudius Ptolemy|Ptolemy]].<ref>{{citation |author=Ptolemy |title=Geog. |at=Bk. 2, Ch. 1 & 2 |title-link=Ptolemy's Geography |author-link=Ptolemy }}.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Forests===
Ireland, like the neighbouring Great Britain, was once covered in forest. Clearing of forests began in the [[Neolithic Age]] and accelerated following the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland|Tudor Conquest]], resulting in forest cover of only 1% by the start of the twentieth century.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Arthur |title=Ireland's forests: Watching a vanished world return |work=Environment |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=27 July 2018 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/irelands-forests-watching-a-vanished-world-return/a-44848417 |access-date=25 November 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109020520/https://www.dw.com/en/irelands-forests-watching-a-vanished-world-return/a-44848417 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2017, total tree cover in the Republic of Ireland stood at 11% of land area<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/nfi/nfisecondcycle2012/|title=National Forestry Inventory, Second Cycle 2012|work=DAFM|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018215036/https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/nfi/nfisecondcycle2012/|url-status=live}}</ref> but the figure for native forest stood at just 2% in 2018, the third lowest in Europe, behind Iceland and Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iwt.ie/what-we-do/campaigns/living-landscapes/forestry-and-woodland-in-ireland/ |title=Forestry and Woodland in Ireland |website=Irish Wildlife Trust |date=February 2018 |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183132/https://iwt.ie/what-we-do/campaigns/living-landscapes/forestry-and-woodland-in-ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the 172 countries assessed, Ireland has the sixth most degraded forest landscape in the world.<ref>Grantham H.S. et al. (2020) "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5978. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5978G. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7723057. PMID 33293507.</ref>

===Marine geography===
The coastline of Ireland is {{convert|7524|km}} long.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771499905073 |title= The Relative Lengths of Seashore Substrata Around the Coastline of Ireland as Determined by Digital Methods in a Geographical Information System |date= 22 April 1999 |publisher= Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin |doi= 10.1006/ecss.1999.0507 |access-date= 13 July 2021 |last1= Neilson |first1= Brigitte |last2= Costello |first2= Mark J. |journal= Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |volume= 49 |issue= 4 |pages= 501–508 |bibcode= 1999ECSS...49..501N |s2cid= 128982465 |archive-date= 13 July 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210713111748/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771499905073 |url-status= live |url-access= subscription }}</ref> As the continental shelf extends far to the west and southwest, the larger of the two jurisdictions on the island has extensive seabed claims, exceeding {{convert|880000|sqkm}}, more than 10 times the land area.<ref name="SeabedMap_MarInst">{{Cite web |title=The Real Map of Ireland {{!}} Marine Institute |url=https://www.marine.ie/site-area/irelands-marine-resource/real-map-ireland-0 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=marine.ie |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331162948/https://www.marine.ie/site-area/irelands-marine-resource/real-map-ireland-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Climate==
{{main article|Climate of Ireland}}
[[File:Ireland island Köppen.png|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] in Ireland|alt=See caption]]
The [[climate of Ireland]] is mild, humid and changeable with abundant [[rainfall]] and a lack of [[temperature extremes]]. [[Ireland]]'s climate is defined as a [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]], or ''Cfb'' on the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, a classification it shares with most of northwest Europe.<ref name="PeeFinMcM">{{cite journal |last1=Peel |first1=M. C. |last2=Finlayson |first2=B. L. |last3=McMahon |first3=T. A. |title=Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |date=2007 |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1633{{ndash}}1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |doi-access=free |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |issn=1027-5606 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P |access-date=4 February 2016 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203170339/http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The country receives generally warm summers and mild winters. It is considerably warmer than other areas at the same [[latitude]] on the other side of the Atlantic, such as in [[Newfoundland]], because<ref name="marine climatology">{{cite web |title=Climate of Ireland |url=http://archive.met.ie/climate-ireland/climate-of-ireland.asp |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=14 May 2018 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619170251/http://archive.met.ie/climate-ireland/climate-of-ireland.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> it lies downwind of the Atlantic Ocean, and is also warmer than maritime climates near the same latitude, such as the [[Pacific Northwest]], as a result of heat released by the Atlantic overturning circulation that includes the [[North Atlantic Current]] and [[Gulf Stream]]. For comparison, [[Dublin]] is 9&nbsp;°C warmer than [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]] in Newfoundland in winter.<ref>McCarthy, G. D., Gleeson, E. and Walsh, S. (2015) The influence of the Ocean on the Climate of Ireland. ''Weather''. '''70''', 8, 242–245, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.2543/abstract {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817141724/http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.2543/abstract |date=17 August 2016 }}</ref>

The influence of the North Atlantic Current also ensures the coastline of Ireland remains ice-free throughout the winter.<ref name="Edu1">{{cite web |title=Climate |url=http://www.educationinireland.com/en/Living-in-Ireland/Before-Arrival/Climate/ |publisher=Education in Ireland |access-date=11 May 2024 |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423151136/https://www.educationinireland.com/en/living-in-ireland/before-arrival/climate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The climate in Ireland does not experience extreme weather, with tornadoes and similar weather features being rare.<ref name="MetE2">{{cite web |title=Exceptional weather events: Tornado |url=https://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Mar1995_Tornado.PDF |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023215536/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/Mar1995_Tornado.PDF |archive-date=23 October 2017 |date=1995 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MetE3">{{cite web |title=Met Éireann Weather Warning System Explained |url=https://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/warnings-explained.asp |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=14 September 2017 |date=2017 |archive-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023343/https://www.met.ie/nationalwarnings/warnings-explained.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Ireland is prone to eastward moving cyclones which come in from the North Atlantic.<ref>Devoy, R.J.N. (2008). Coastal vulnerability and the implications of sea-level rise for Ireland. Journal of Coastal Research, 24(2) pp. 327–331</ref>

The prevailing wind comes from the southwest, breaking on the high mountains of the west coast.<ref name="marine climatology" /> Rainfall is therefore a particularly prominent part of western Irish life, with Valentia Island, off the west coast of County Kerry, getting over twice as much annual rainfall as Dublin on the east ({{convert|1557|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=or}} vs. {{convert|714|mm|in|1|abbr=on|disp=or}}).<ref name="MetE4">{{cite web |title=Rainfall in Ireland |url=http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/rainfall.asp |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929153142/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/rainfall.asp |archive-date=29 September 2017 |date=2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The overall mean temperature (measured 1990–2020) is {{convert|9.8|C|F|1}}. January and February are the coldest months of the year, with mean daily air temperatures of {{convert|5.3|to|5.5|C|F|1}} during these months. July and August are the warmest, with mean daily temperatures of {{convert|15|to|15.2|C|F|1}}, whilst mean daily maximums in July and August are {{convert|18.9|to|19.1|C|F|1}}, lower near the coast, higher inland.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Curley |first1=M. |last2=Coonan |first2=B. |last3=Ruth |first3=C.E. |last4=Ryan |first4=C. |year=2023 |title=Ireland's Climate Averages 1991–2020 (Climatological Note No. 22) |publisher=Met Éireann |place=Dublin}}</ref> The sunniest months are May and June, with an average of five to seven hours sunshine per day.<ref name="MetE5">{{cite web |title=Sunshine in Ireland |url=http://www.met.ie/climate/sunshine.asp |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=23 January 2008 |archive-date=3 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203141634/http://www.met.ie/climate/sunshine.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

Though extreme weather events in Ireland are comparatively rare when compared with other countries in the European Continent, they do occur. Atlantic depressions, occurring mainly in the months of December, January and February, can occasionally bring winds of up to {{convert|160|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} to Western coastal counties; while the summer months, and particularly around late July/early August, thunderstorms can develop.<ref name="Storm Katia">{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Alistair |last2=Bray |first2=Allison |title=Hurricane Alert – Storm winds coming as Katia moves in |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-alert-storm-winds-coming-as-katia-moves-in-26770180.html |access-date=4 February 2016 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |publisher=Independent Newspapers |date=10 September 2011 |archive-date=24 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124053641/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-alert-storm-winds-coming-as-katia-moves-in-26770180.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Storm Darwin">{{cite news | url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/storm-darwin-hurricane-gusts-mass-destruction-widespread-blackouts-and-not-one-person-seriously-injured-258663.html | title=Evidence of storms | newspaper=Irish Examiner | access-date=4 February 2016 | date=2014-02-13 | archive-date=25 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183207/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20258663.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Thunderstorms">{{cite web |title=Exceptional weather events |url=http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/July1985_Thunderstorm.PDF |publisher=[[Met Éireann]] |access-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405060447/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/weather-events/July1985_Thunderstorm.PDF |archive-date=5 April 2016 |date=1985 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The tables below show mean 30-year climate averages for Ireland's two largest cities, taken from the weather stations at [[Dublin Airport]] and [[Belfast International Airport]] respectively. The state metrological service for the Republic of Ireland is [[Met Éireann]], while the [[Met Office]] monitors climate data for Northern Ireland.<ref name="Met1">{{cite web |title=UK regional climates |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/ni |publisher=[[Met Office]] |access-date=30 September 2009 |archive-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529144508/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/regional-climates/index |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Dublin weatherbox}}
{{Aldergrove weatherbox}}

==Political and human geography==
{{further|Counties of Ireland|Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local government in Northern Ireland}}

Ireland is divided into four [[Provinces of Ireland|provinces]]—Connacht, [[Leinster]], [[Munster]] and [[Ulster]]—and 32&nbsp;[[counties of Ireland|counties]].<ref name="placenames">{{cite ISB |title=Placenames (Counties and Provinces) Order 2003 |year=2003 |type=si |lang=ga |num=519 |date=30 October 2003 |signedby=[[Éamon Ó Cuív]], [[Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs]] }}</ref> Six of the nine Ulster counties form Northern Ireland and the other 26 form the state, Ireland. The map shows all 32&nbsp;counties.

{| style="margin:auto" cellpadding="10"
|- style=vertical-align:top
|[[File:Ireland trad counties blank (numbered).svg|Map of Ireland with numbered counties|alt=See caption]]
|'''(Republic of) Ireland'''
# [[County Dublin|Dublin]]
# [[County Wicklow|Wicklow]]
# [[County Wexford|Wexford]]
# [[County Carlow|Carlow]]
# [[County Kildare|Kildare]]
# [[County Meath|Meath]]
# [[County Louth|Louth]]
# [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]]
# [[County Cavan|Cavan]]
# [[County Longford|Longford]]
# [[County Westmeath|Westmeath]]
# [[County Offaly|Offaly]]
# [[County Laois|Laois]]
# [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]]
# [[County Waterford|Waterford]]
# [[County Cork|Cork]]
# [[County Kerry|Kerry]]
|
<ol start=18>
<li>[[County Limerick|Limerick]]</li>
<li>[[County Tipperary|Tipperary]]</li>
<li>[[County Clare|Clare]]</li>
<li>[[County Galway|Galway]]</li>
<li>[[County Mayo|Mayo]]</li>
<li>[[County Roscommon|Roscommon]]</li>
<li>[[County Sligo|Sligo]]</li>
<li>[[County Leitrim|Leitrim]]</li>
<li>[[County Donegal|Donegal]]</li>
</ol>

'''Northern Ireland'''
# [[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]]
# [[County Tyrone|Tyrone]]
# [[County Londonderry|Londonderry (Derry)]]
# [[County Antrim|Antrim]]
# [[County Down|Down]]
# [[County Armagh|Armagh]]
|}

Administratively, 23 of the counties in the Republic of Ireland are local government areas. Three contain more than one local government areas: the cities of Dublin, [[Cork (city)|Cork]] and [[Galway]] have city councils that are administered separately from the counties bearing those names, and the remaining part of [[County Dublin]] is divided into [[Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown]], [[Fingal]], and [[South Dublin]].<ref name="placenames" /> There are therefore a total of 31 local authorities.<ref name="31LocAuth_LAJobs">{{Cite web |title=What local authorities do |url=https://localgovernmentjobs.ie/articles/What-local-authorities-do |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Local Government Jobs |archive-date=23 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723004855/https://localgovernmentjobs.ie/articles/What-local-authorities-do |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[County Tipperary]] had two [[Riding (division)#Ireland|ridings]], [[North Tipperary]] and [[South Tipperary]], originally established in 1838, renamed in 2001<ref>{{cite book |last=Callanan |first=Mark |author2=Keogan, Justin F. |title=Local Government in Ireland: Inside Out |publisher=Institute of Public Administration |year=2003 |location=Dublin |page=45 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P6OdT7MIflgC&pg=PA45 |isbn=978-1-902448-93-0 }}</ref> and amalgamated in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tipperary County Council: General News |date=3 June 2014 |url=http://www.tipperarycoco.ie/news/tipperary-county-council |access-date=7 June 2014 |quote=Tipperary County Council will become an official unified authority on 3 June 2014. The new authority combines the existing administration of North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council. |archive-date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606211104/http://www.tipperarycoco.ie/news/tipperary-county-council |url-status=dead }}</ref> The cities of Limerick and [[Waterford]] were merged with their respective county councils in 2014 to form new city and county councils.

In making its recommendations on changes to [[Dáil constituencies]], the [[Electoral Commission (Ireland)|Electoral Commission]] is required to avoid breaching county boundaries as far as practicable.<ref>{{cite Irish legislation|name=[[Electoral Reform Act 2022]] |year=2022|access-date=10 February 2023|date=25 July 2022|number=30|section=57|stitle=Constituency review reports}}</ref>

In Northern Ireland, a major re-organisation of local government in 1973 replaced the six traditional counties and two [[county borough]]s ([[Belfast]] and [[Derry]]) with 26&nbsp;single-tier [[districts of Northern Ireland|districts]],<ref name="doe-ni">{{cite web |url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/local_government/structure.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103003632/http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/local_government/structure.htm |archive-date=3 January 2008 |title=Local Government Policy Division Structure |publisher=Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland |access-date=30 January 2008}}</ref> which, apart from Fermanagh, cross the traditional county boundaries. The six counties and two county boroughs remain in use for purposes such as [[Lord-Lieutenant|Lieutenancy]]. Under a [[Reform of local government in Northern Ireland|further reform in 2015]], this was revised into 11 areas: the city of Belfast and 10 districts.

According to separate censuses conducted in 2021 and 2022, the island's population is over 7&nbsp;million people concentrated in the east and south, particularly in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and their surrounding areas. The [[2021 United Kingdom census]] recorded a population in Northern Ireland of 1,903,175 and the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 Irish census]] recorded a population of the Republic of Ireland of 5,149,139.<ref>{{cite web |title=Information on Census 2021 in Northern Ireland |work=2021 Census |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency|NISRA]] |date=30 November 2023 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/census/2021-census |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703182652/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/census/2021-census |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Press Statement Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results |work=Census of Population 2022 |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office Ireland]] |date=30 May 2023 |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2023pressreleases/pressstatementcensusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/ |access-date=19 February 2024 }}</ref>

==Natural resources==
{{main article|Natural resources of Ireland}}
<!-- Gas fields, gold in the Wicklow mountains, anything else? Coal in Kilkenny, lignite in Antrim, zinc and lead in Tara mines. Silver in the Silvermines, Co. Tipp? Connemara marble? Mudstone from (Burren?) Biggest quarries/best quarrying areas? -->

===Fens and bogs===
[[File:BordnaMona 2930.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bord na Móna]] peat-harvesting in the [[Bog of Allen]]|alt=See caption]]
Ireland has 12,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (about 4,600&nbsp;sq miles) of bog land,<ref>{{cite web | last =Abbot | first =Patrick | title =Ireland's Peat Bogs | publisher =The Ireland Story | url =http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/geography/bogs.html | access-date =21 January 2008 | archive-date =3 October 2018 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20181003173500/http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/geography/bogs.html | url-status =live }}</ref> consisting of two distinct types: [[blanket bog]]s and [[raised bog]]s. There is also a modest amount of surviving fen, a related landform.<ref name="GuideIrishPeatlands">{{cite book |editor-last=O'Connell |editor-first=Catherine |title=The IPCC Guide to Irish Peatlands |publisher=Irish Peatland Conservation Council |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-9512709-0-5 |others=Contributors include Cross, John (Peatland Exploitation in the Republic of Ireland), Craig, Alan (Peatlands in the National Parks), Foss, Peter (The Distribution and Formation of Irish Peatlands), Viney, Michael (The Inspiration of Peatlands); illustrated by Colman O Criodain, Edwin Wymer, Pauline Bewick}}</ref>{{rp|5–12}}

Raised bogs, most commonly found in the Shannon basin, are scarcer than blanket bogs. They formed when depressions left behind after the ice age filled with water to form lakes. Debris from reeds in these lakes formed a layer of at the bottom of the water. This eventually choked the lakes and raised above the surface, forming raised bogs.<ref name="GuideIrishPeatlands" />{{rp|5–10}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Raised Bogs |publisher=Irish Peatland Conservation Council |url=http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/raised-bogs/ |access-date=22 November 2013 |archive-date=22 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122003455/http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/raised-bogs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Blanket bogs are essentially a product of human activity aided by the moist Irish climate, having formed on sites where [[Neolithic]] farmers cleared trees for farming.<ref name="IPCC" /> As the land so cleared fell into disuse, the soil began to leach and become more acidic, producing a suitable environment for the growth of [[Calluna|heather]] and [[Juncaceae|rushes]]. The debris from these plants accumulated and a layer of [[peat]] formed. One of the largest expanses of Atlantic blanket bog in Ireland is to be found in County Mayo.<ref name="GuideIrishPeatlands" />{{rp|10–12}}<ref name="IPCC">{{cite web |title=Blanket Bogs |publisher=Irish Peatland Conservation Council |url=http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/blanket-bogs/ |access-date=22 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060602010250/http://www.ipcc.ie/infoblanketbogfs.html|archive-date=2 June 2006}}</ref>

====Usage and concerns====
Since the 17th century, peat has been cut for fuel for domestic heating and cooking, and it is called turf when so used. The process accelerated as commercial exploitation of bogs grew. In the 1940s, machines for cutting turf were introduced and larger-scale harvesting became possible. In the Republic, this became the responsibility of a semi-state company called [[Bord na Móna]]. In addition to domestic uses, commercially extracted turf is used in a number of industries, producing [[Briquette#Peat briquettes|peat briquettes]] for domestic fuel and [[milled peat]] for electricity generation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peat Energy History |publisher=[[Bord na Móna]] |url=http://www.bnm.ie/energy/index.jsp?nID=452&pID=434 |access-date=21 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511193055/http://www.bnm.ie/energy/index.jsp?nID=452&pID=434 |archive-date=2011-05-11 }}</ref> More recently peat is being combined with [[biomass]] for dual-firing electricity generation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Replacement of peat with Biomass in Electricity Generation |work=Feedstock |publisher=[[Bord na Móna]] |year=2013 |url=http://www.bordnamona.ie/company/our-businesses/biomass/ |access-date=2013-11-22 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923010045/http://www.bordnamona.ie/company/our-businesses/biomass/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In recent years, the destruction of bogs has raised environmental concerns. The issue is particularly acute for raised bogs which were more widely mined as they yield a higher-grade fuel than blanket bogs. Plans are now in place in both the Republic and Northern Ireland to conserve most of the remaining raised bogs on the island.<ref>{{cite web |title=Written Answers. – Raised Bog Conservation |work=Dáil Éireann Parliamentary Debates – Volume 487 |publisher=[[Oireachtas|Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas]] |date=26 February 1998 |url =https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1998-02-26/91/ |access-date=1 November 2023 }}</ref>

===Oil, natural gas and minerals===
[[File:Dunchiortan3may08 029.JPG|thumb|The [[Corrib gas project]] pipeline makes landfall at [[Glengad]], County Mayo|alt=See caption]]
Ireland is the largest European producer of [[zinc]], with one zinc-lead mine currently in operation at [[Tara Mine|Tara]], which is Europe's largest and deepest active mine. Other mineral deposits with actual or potential commercial value include gold, silver, [[gypsum]], [[talc]], [[calcite]], [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], roofing [[slate]], limestone aggregate, [[building stone]], [[sand]], and [[gravel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mining in Ireland |work=Minerals Ireland: Exploration and Mining Division |publisher=[[Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |url=http://www.mineralsireland.ie/MiningInIreland |year=2009 |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-date=17 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217223910/http://www.mineralsireland.ie/MiningInIreland |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Hydrocarbons====
Offshore exploration for natural gas began in 1970.<ref name="sch">Shannon, Corcoran & Haughton (2001), ''The petroleum exploration of Ireland's offshore basins: introduction'', Geological Society, London Lyell Collection—Special Publications, p 2</ref> The first major discovery was the [[Kinsale Head gas field]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|title=Major petroleum exploration conference: Conference on Ireland's Deepwater Frontier |publisher=[[Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |date=16 September 2001 |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum+Affairs+Division/Latest+News/Major+petroleum+exploration+conference.htm |access-date=2014-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142834/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Petroleum%2BAffairs%2BDivision/Latest%2BNews/Major%2Bpetroleum%2Bexploration%2Bconference.htm |archive-date= 2 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Next were the smaller Ballycotton gas field in 1989,<ref name="sch" /> and the [[Corrib gas project|Corrib gas field]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Corrib Project |work=Natural Resources |publisher=[[Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |year=2015 |url=http://www.dccae.gov.ie/natural-resources/en-ie/Oil-Gas-Exploration-Production/Pages/History-of-the-Corrib-Project.aspx |access-date=30 August 2015 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183656/https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gas from these fields is pumped ashore and used for both domestic and industrial purposes. The Helvick oil field, estimated to contain over {{convert|28|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil, was discovered in 2000, and [[Barryroe]], estimated to contain 1.6 billion barrels (250,000,000 m3) of oil, was discovered in 2012, although neither have been exploited.<ref>{{cite web |title=Providence sees Helvick oil field as key site in Celtic Sea |work=[[Irish Examiner]] |date=17 July 2000 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2000/07/17/current/bpage_2.htm |access-date=27 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119040533/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2000/07/17/current/bpage_2.htm |archive-date=2012-01-19 }}</ref>
In May 2007 the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (now replaced by the [[Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]]) reported that there may be volumes over {{convert|130|Goilbbl|m3}} of petroleum and {{convert|50|Tcuft|km3}} of natural gas in Irish waters<ref name="oilbonanza">{{cite web |title=Ireland on the verge of an oil and gas bonanza |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=20 May 2007 |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ireland-on-the-verge-of-an-oil-and-gas-bonanza-26291757.html |access-date=11 January 2008 |archive-date=18 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018004018/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ireland-on-the-verge-of-an-oil-and-gas-bonanza-26291757.html |url-status=live }}</ref> – worth trillions of [[euro]], if true. The minimum confirmed amount of oil in the Irish Atlantic waters is {{convert|10|Goilbbl|m3}}, worth over €450 billion. There are also areas of petroleum and natural gas on shore, for example the Lough Allen basin, with {{convert|9.4|Tcuft|km3}} of gas and {{convert|1.5|Goilbbl|m3}} of oil, valued at €74.4 billion. Already some fields are being exploited, such as the [[Spanish Point, County Clare|Spanish Point]] field, with {{convert|1.25|Tcuft|km3}} of gas and {{convert|206|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil, valued at €19.6 billion. The Corrib Basin is also quite large, worth anything up to €87 billion, while the [[Dunquin gas field]], initially estimated to have {{convert|25|Tcuft|km3}} of natural gas and {{convert|4.13|Goilbbl|m3}} of petroleum<ref name="oilbonanza" /> but 2012 revised estimates suggest only {{convert|14|Tcuft|km3}} of natural gas and {{convert|.5|Goilbbl|m3}} of oil condensate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cresswell |first=Jeremy |title=Exxon to drill Irish Atlantic Frontier early next year |publisher=EnergyVoice |date=1 October 2012 |url=https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/29668/exxon-to-drill-irish-atlantic-frontier-early-next-year/ |access-date=25 March 2020 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325113706/https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/29668/exxon-to-drill-irish-atlantic-frontier-early-next-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2012, the first commercial oil well was drilled {{Convert|70|km|abbr=on}} off the Cork coast by Providence Resources, renamed Barryroe Offshore.<ref name="S&P">{{cite web |last= Perkins |first=Robert |title=Ireland blocks offshore Barryroe oil, gas project sparking legal challenge |publisher=S&P Global |date=22 May 2023 |url=https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/oil/052223-ireland-blocks-offshore-barryroe-oil-gas-project-sparking-legal-challenge |access-date=19 November 2023 }}</ref> At the time, Providence's executive [[Tony O'Reilly, Junior|Tony O'Reilly Jr.]] said, "It's a defining moment for the Irish offshore oil and gas industry."<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Joe |title=Cork oil-well explorer Barryroe faces wind-up if shareholders don't pony up once more |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=23 June 2023 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/06/23/bottom-of-the-barrel-oil-explorer-barryroe-faces-windup-if-shareholders-dont-pony-up-once-more/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119110855/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/06/23/bottom-of-the-barrel-oil-explorer-barryroe-faces-windup-if-shareholders-dont-pony-up-once-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Barryroe oil well was yielding 3,500 barrels per day in exploratory drilling; at oil prices of $120 a barrel, Barryroe oil well was worth in excess of €2.14bn annually in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland's first oil well to yield 4,000 barrels per day |work=Northern Ireland |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=15 March 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17378943 |access-date=17 December 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201065316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17378943 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in 2023, the [[Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment|Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications]] declined approval of the "Lease Undertaking" that would be necessary to finish appraisal drilling, and Barryroe Offshore Energy will now wind down their business by a [[voluntary liquidation]] so the field may not be developed. Legal action may be taken by investors against the Irish government including the minor 20% investor Lansdowne Oil & Gas.<ref name="S&P" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Barryroe Offshore Energy to Wind Up Operations after Setback in Irish Oil and Gas Project |publisher=Offshore Engineer |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.oedigital.com/news/506216-barryroe-offshore-energy-to-wind-up-operations-after-setback-in-irish-oil-and-gas-project |access-date=19 November 2023 }}</ref>

===Renewable energy===
{{main|Renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland|Wind power in Ireland}}

Under the original 2009 [[Renewable Energy Directive]] the Republic of Ireland had set a target of producing 16% of all its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020 but in 2018 the second Renewable Energy Directive increased the target to 32% by 2030. Between 2005 and 2014 the percentage of energy from renewable energy sources grew from just 3.1% to 8.6% of total final consumption. By 2020 the overall renewable energy share was 13.5%, short of its Renewable Energy Drive target of 16%.<ref name="seai">{{Cite web |title=Renewables |url=https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/renewables/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203200830/https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/renewables/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Renewable electricity accounted for 69% of all renewable energy used in 2020, up from two thirds (66.8%) in 2019.<ref name="seai" />

====Wind====
{{main article|Wind power in Ireland}}
{{Map of wind power in Ireland|width=225}}
While hydro generated power contributed most to Ireland's renewable energy during the 20th century, so far in the 21st century there has been a significant increase in the production of energy by wind spurred by climate change concerns.<ref name="SEAI">{{cite web |title=Developing renewable energy is central to Ireland's climate change strategy |work=Renewables |publisher=[[Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland]] |url=https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/renewables |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203200830/https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/renewables/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Bellacorick#Wind farm|Bellacorick wind farm]], built by Bord na Móna in 1992, was the first Irish wind farm with an individual turbine capacity of 0.3&nbsp;[[Watt#Megawatt|MW]] which compared with the current capacity of 4–5&nbsp;MW means that when turbines age out, replacements will produce significantly more power per installation. {{As of|2022}} the Republic of Ireland had more than 300 wind farms but the number will have to double by 2030 if the current 40% of renewable energy is to double. Most of the energy will have to come from inshore wind farms because the sole offshore wind farm, [[Arklow Bank Wind Park]], only produces 0.6% of the nation's total wind energy. The 80% target is an ambitious aspect of the [[Climate Action Plan]] some impediments, such as [[planning permission]] and the age of existing wind farms, may hinder this aspiration.<ref name="energy obstacles">{{cite web |last=Sherlock |first=Cillian |title=Obstacles for Ireland to meet 2030 wind energy targets |work=News |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=3 January 2022 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0103/1269242-wind-energy/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109231241/https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0103/1269242-wind-energy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A floating 400&nbsp;MW wind farm off the coast of Northern Ireland was proposed for the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] in 2022 to be operating by 2029.<ref>{{cite news |last=Black |first=Rebecca |title=Multi-million pound floating wind farm proposed off Northern Ireland coast |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=22 February 2022 |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/multi-million-pound-floating-wind-farm-proposed-off-northern-ireland-coast/41372417.html |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119105104/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/multi-million-pound-floating-wind-farm-proposed-off-northern-ireland-coast/41372417.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another northern project, opened in October 2023, was set up under a corporate [[power purchase agreement]] in which [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], who backed the project, will be the off-taker of all the power produced by the 16-MW [[Ballykeel]] 7-turbine wind farm in County Antrim.<ref>{{cite web |last=Djunisic |first=Sladjana |title=Ørsted opens Amazon-backed 16-MW wind farm in N Ireland |work=Wind News |publisher=Renewables Now |date=12 October 2023 |url=https://renewablesnow.com/news/rsted-opens-amazon-backed-16-mw-wind-farm-in-n-ireland-836610/ |access-date=9 November 2023 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109170351/https://renewablesnow.com/news/rsted-opens-amazon-backed-16-mw-wind-farm-in-n-ireland-836610/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2023, [[EDF Renewables]] announced their Carrowkeel Wind Farm which will be a 30&nbsp;MW project for County Roscommon for completion in 2028 which should power more than 20,000 homes.<ref>{{cite web |last= Djunisic |first=Sladjana |title=EDF Renewables announces 30-MW wind farm project in Ireland |work=Wind News |publisher=Renewables Now |date=9 November 2023 |url=https://renewablesnow.com/news/edf-renewables-announces-30-mw-wind-farm-project-in-ireland-839329/ |access-date=9 November 2023 }}</ref>

====Solar energy====
As of the 2020 [[Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland]] report "Energy in Ireland", solar energy was only contributing 1% of renewable energy. Opposition to the visual impact of solar farms, and other forms of renewable energy, was noted as hindering some projects. [[DIT School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering]]'s Professor Barry McMullin suggests that: "So while it's the cheapest form of electricity you can get that's only true if your demand for it happens to match when it's available. But if what you actually want is electricity on tap, then solar PV doesn't give you that".<ref>{{cite web |last=Comerford Conway |first=Jordan |title=Solar Energy in Ireland: is it the way to go? |publisher=ClimateChange.ie |date=16 May 2022 |url=https://www.climatechange.ie/solar-energy-in-ireland-is-it-the-way-to-go/ |access-date=28 November 2023 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130163609/https://www.climatechange.ie/solar-energy-in-ireland-is-it-the-way-to-go/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Solar energy for about 3,600 homes has been in production with 33,600 solar modules installed on 25 hectares near [[Ashford, County Wicklow]] since April 2022. It is the first such venture at scale in the Republic of Ireland, with a capacity of 8&nbsp;MW.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=George |title=Ireland's first large-scale solar farm opens in Wicklow |work=Environmental News |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=29 April 2022 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0429/1295115-solar-farm/ |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119115434/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0429/1295115-solar-farm/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A forecast from [[ESB Group|ESB Networks]] suggests that by the end of 2023, the country will be producing 1&nbsp;GW. This is up from the 700&nbsp;MW being produced in mid-summer from 60,000 micro-generation customers, adding to the 371&nbsp;MW of utility-scale installations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ireland's Solar Revolution |publisher=Irish Solar Energy Association |date=21 June 2023 |url=https://www.irishsolarenergy.org/news-1/ireland's-solar-revolution |access-date=28 November 2023 }}</ref> 2013 saw a new 50 million Euro solar panel scheme specially for schools in eleven counties of the Republic, that should save typical schools between €1,200 to €1,600 per year. Connected to the grid, the up-to 6-kilowatt installation will be most efficient when the schools are not in use.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Kelly |first=Emma |title=Rollout of €50m school solar panel programme to get under way |work=Ireland News |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=23 November 2023 |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/1123/1418013-schools-solar-programme/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230161324/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/1123/1418013-schools-solar-programme/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first ground-based solar farm on the island is situated in the townland of Crookedstone, County Antrim, and is connected to Belfast International Airport, providing 27% of the airport's annual energy needs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Northern Ireland's First Large-Scale Solar Farm Connected |work=News & insights |publisher=Lightsource BP |date=18 May 2016 |url=https://lightsourcebp.com/uk/news/northern-irelands-first-large-scale-solar-farm-connected/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130165109/https://lightsourcebp.com/uk/news/northern-irelands-first-large-scale-solar-farm-connected/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This wind farm was built by Lightsource and [[BP]] bought full control of the company in November 2023 having first invested in the company in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=John |title=Lisburn man Nick Boyle sells solar business Lightsource to BP |work=Northern Ireland Politics |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=30 November 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67578072 |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130220346/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67578072 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Hydroelectric power====
[[File:Lough Nahanagan.jpg|thumb|The lower reservoir of the [[Turlough Hill]] pumped-storage scheme|alt=See caption]]
The first [[Shannon hydroelectric scheme]] was constructed in 1929 within seven years of independence. Built by [[Siemens-Schuckert]] with Irish engineers doing much of the design and using mostly Irish labour, it has an 86&nbsp;MW capacity and has an annual generation capacity of 332&nbsp;[[GWh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ardnacrusha |publisher=[[ESB Group]] |year=2023 |url=https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-shannon/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616174254/https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-shannon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed up by the much larger [[Turlough Hill Power Station]], the only pumped-storage built into a mountain with a capacity of 292&nbsp;MW. It was completed in 1974 after 6 years of construction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Turlough Hill |publisher=[[ESB Group]] |year=2023 |url=https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/turlough-hill/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616190526/https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/turlough-hill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A few other smaller hydroelectric stations exist around the Republic of Ireland, such as [[Poulaphouca Reservoir|Pollaphuca]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Pollaphuca |publisher=[[ESB Group]] |year=2023 |url=https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-liffey/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616170811/https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-liffey/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Inniscarra Dam]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inniscarra |publisher=[[ESB Group]] |year=2023 |url=https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-lee/ |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230171728/https://esbarchives.ie/portfolio/river-lee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Catherine Halpin, Ardnacrusha's plant manager, suggests the four main hydro plants are availing of about 70% of the country's water resources.<ref>{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Carmel |title=Ireland's Ardnacrusha hydro-electric power station – a clean-tech exemplar? |work=Innovation |publisher=[[Silicon Republic]] |date=14 August 2012 |url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/irelands-ardnacrusha-hydro-electric-power-station-a-clean-tech-exemplar |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230171727/https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/irelands-ardnacrusha-hydro-electric-power-station-a-clean-tech-exemplar |url-status=live }}</ref>

A tidal energy system is in operation since 2008 in [[Strangford Lough#Tidal electricity|Strangford Lough]] producing 1.2&nbsp;MW using an underwater windmill, whose rotors at driven by the tidal currents. The power is bought for ESB Independent's Republic and Northern Ireland consumers. The system has a capacity to produce enough electricity for about 1,000 homes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tidal energy system on full power |work=Northern Ireland News |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=18 December 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7790494.stm |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=16 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216212124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7790494.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in Northern Ireland, an [[Evopod#1kW Evopod sea testing, Portaferry, Northern Ireland|Evopod tidal energy system]] has been tested and connected to the Marine Laboratory of [[Queen's University Belfast]] that should be connected to the electric grid.<ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Jeffcoate, Penny |author2=Starzmann, Ralf |author3=Elsaesser, Bjoern |author4=Scholl, Stefan |author5=Bischoff, Sarah |title=Field measurements of a full scale tidal turbine |journal=International Journal of Marine Energy |volume=12 |pages=3–20 |publisher=Elsevier |date=December 2015 |issn=2214-1669 |doi=10.1016/j.ijome.2015.04.002 |bibcode=2015IJME...12....3J |url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/cf8a9f81-0499-4c25-affc-5ce6b6612947 |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183749/https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/field-measurements-of-a-full-scale-tidal-device |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Ireland}}
* [[Extreme points of Ireland]]
* [[Gravity anomalies of Britain and Ireland]]
* [[Coastal landforms of Ireland]]
* [[Geographical centre of Ireland]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
===Print===
* Mitchell, Frank and Ryan, Michael. ''Reading the Irish landscape'' (1998). {{ISBN|978-1-86059-055-9}}
* Whittow, J. B. ''Geography and Scenery in Ireland'' (Penguin Books 1974)
* Holland, Charles, H and Sanders, Ian S. ''The Geology of Ireland'' 2nd ed. (2009). {{ISBN|978-1-903765-72-2}}
* ''Place-names'', Diarmuid O Murchadha and Kevin Murray, in ''The Heritage of Ireland'', ed. N. Buttimer et al., The Collins Press, Cork, 2000, pp.&nbsp;146–155.
* ''A paper landscape:the Ordnance Survey in nineteenth-century Ireland'', J.H. Andrews, London, 1975
* ''Monasticon Hibernicum'', M. Archdall, 1786
* ''Etymological [[aetiology]] in Irish tradition'', R. Baumgarten, ''Eiru'' 41, pp.&nbsp;115–122, 1990
* ''The Origin and History of Irish names of Places'', [[Patrick Weston Joyce]], three volumes, Dublin, 1869, 1875, 1913.
* ''Irish Place Names'', D. Flanagan and L. Flanagan, Dublin, 1994
* ''Census of Ireland:general alphabetical index to the townlands and towns, parishes and paronies of Ireland'', Dublin, 1861
* ''The Placenames of Westmeath'', [[Paul Walsh (priest)|Paul Walsh]], 1957
* ''The Placenames of [[Decies]]'', P. Power, Cork, 1952
* ''The place-names of county Wicklow'', [[Liam Price]], seven volumes, Dublin, 1945–67

===Online===
* Abbot, Patrick. [http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/geography/bogs.html Ireland's Peat Bogs]. Retrieved on 23 January 2008.
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/ Ireland] – [[The World Factbook]]. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. Retrieved on 23 January 2008.
* [http://www.accuweather.com/en/ie/ireland-weather OnlineWeather.com] – climate details for Ireland. Retrieved 2011-01-12

==External links==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.osi.ie/about/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ OSI FAQ] – lists of the longest, highest and other statistics
* A discussion on [[RTÉ Radio 1]]'s science show ''Quantum Leap'' about the quality of [[GPS]] mapping in Ireland is available [https://web.archive.org/web/20120929194924/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/quantum/rams/2007/18january.smil here] (archived link). The discussion starts 8mins 18sec into the show. It aired on [https://web.archive.org/web/20120929194924/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/quantum/1060745.html 18 Jan 2002] (archived link). Requires [[RealPlayer]].
{{Geography of Ireland}}{{Ireland topics|expanded=Geography}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Coord|53|20.65|N|6|16.05|W|type:country}}

[[Category:Geography of Ireland| ]]