Ireland's Topography

Kilkenny Harbour forms a natural barrier between Galway and Mayo courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ireland.

1.  Ireland, which occupies 84,4009 square miles, is about half the size of Arkansas.

2.  It's greatest length, between Toor Head, County Antrim and Mizen Head, County Cork, spans 302 miles.

3.  It's greatest breadth, from Dundrum Head, County Down to Annagh Head, County Mayo, spans 104 miles.

4.  Its highest cliffs are found on the northern coast at Achill Island, County Mayo, an area which suffered an earthquake in 2012.

5.  The longest river, Shannon, flows 204 miles before pouring into the Atlantic Ocean at Limerick.

6.  The island's coastline runs 1907 miles.

7.  The largest lake, Lough Neagh, measures 153 square miles and supplies Ireland with 40% of its water.

8.  Ireland consists of four provinces broken up into 32 counties, six of which are part of Northern Ireland.

9.  The mountains are composed of granite, sandstone, limestone, karst and basalt.

10.  Ireland has 4,633 square miles of bogland consisting of blanket bogs and raised bogs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ireland

Ten Things You May Not Know about Ireland

1.  The average Irishman stands 5 foot 8 inches tall; the average Irishwoman stands 5 foot 5.

2.  Ninety percent of Irish Nationals are Catholics but only 30% attend church.

3.  The Irish are known for their red hair, a result of the Viking influence in the 800's.  However, today only 9% of the Irish population are natural redheads.

4.  Dublin boasts one pub for every 100 people.

5.  A book only needs to sell 3000 copies to be an Irish bestseller.

6.  The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland or Britain.

7.  Cats outnumber dogs as Ireland's most popular pet by a ratio of 2 to 1.

8.  Over 30,000 castles and castle ruins dot the Irish landscape.

9.  As many as 73% of Americans cannot locate Ireland on a world map bereft of place names.

10.  Ireland, called the Emerald Isle, is covered in lush green grasses and shamrocks.

Source:  http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/20-interesting-facts-about-the-irish-and-ireland-photos

http://ohmygodfacts.com/5-interesting-ireland-facts/