Get some help organizing your golf tee times tour of Ireland with our general information guide on Ireland

Geography of Ireland
Irish climate
Ireland's currency
Opening hours of Irish banks
Posting letters in Ireland
Useful phone numbers in Ireland

Ireland the island measures 84,288 sq. km (32,544 square miles) and is around 485 km (302 miles) long and about 304 km (189 miles) wide. The coast of Ireland runs for over 5,631 km (3,500 miles).

Ireland is separated into four historic areas (provinces) each containing a number of counties. Ulster, the northern province has 9 counties; Munster in the south has 6 counties; Leinster the eastern province has 12 counties; and Connacht in the west has 5 counties.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and includes the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.

The highest mountain in Ireland is Carrantuohill (1,040 metres/3,414 feet) in County Kerry and Ireland's longest river is the Shannon (370 km/230 miles). The biggest lake in Ireland is Lough Neagh (396 sq. km/153 square miles) in Northern Ireland.

The approximate population of Ireland's 32 counties is around 5 million.

The overall Irish climate can be classed as temperate-winters in Ireland are mild and summers pleasant. The southwesterly winds and the warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift create this type of climate.

In winter temperatures in Ireland average 35°-45°F while average temperatures in summer are 65°-75°F. Ireland's sunniest months are May and June with around 7 hours of daily sunshine.

In the Republic of Ireland, the currency is euro (€) with seven note denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro. For every euro, there is 100 cent and coins are in eight denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 euro.

Sterling (£) is used in Northern Ireland as it is part of the United Kingdom and has similar denominations to the euro.

Banking hours in Ireland run from Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. although some banks do not close for lunch. Depending on the individual bank or the location, extended opening until 5.00 p.m. may take place.

Banks in Northern Ireland open from 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday to Friday while some banks close for lunch 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.

Banks may only open two or three days per week in small towns and villages although cash dispensers have become more widely available in recent years and most post offices provide basic cash services.

When sending a letter from the Republic of Ireland you should use Irish postage stamps and in Northern Ireland you should use British postage stamps. Post collection times will vary depending on the location that you are in.