The Republic of Ireland lies in the north Atlantic Ocean and is separated from Britain by the Irish Sea. The northeastern part of the island (Northern Ireland) is part of the United Kingdom. The country's coastline has sandy beaches, semi-tropical bays and rugged cliffs. Dublin, the capital, is spread over the valley of the River Liffey around Dublin Bay. It is rich in 18th-century architecture with Georgian mansions, wide streets and spacious squares. Aside from its traditional attractions, Dublin is increasingly a centre for young Europeans, drawn to the city's lively nightclubs and bars.
The counties of the southwest (Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary) are deservedly celebrated as areas of great natural beauty from the Dingle Peninsula through the Burren to the mountains of Connemara. There are a number of well-equipped, popular resorts. The majority are ideal for family holidays but there is a wide range of alternative accommodation on offer from horse-drawn carriages to exclusive manor house hotels.
Local delicacies include soda bread and soufflé made with carrageen (a variety of seaweed). Guinness, one of the most popular and distinctive drinks in the world, is found in nearly every bar and pub.
Most towns have discotheques or dancehalls and many bars and pubs have live music and folk-singing.
