County Louth is the smallest county in Ireland by area, measuring approximately 820 to 826 square kilometers. Known colloquially as "The Wee County," it is located in the province of Leinster and is bordered by the Irish Sea, Meath, Monaghan, Armagh, and Down.
The smallest county in Ireland is county Louth, which is just 820 km² in area - 9 times smaller than county Cork. The next smallest is county Carlow, which is 896 km². The smallest county in Northern Ireland is county Armagh, at 1,254 km².
The CSO has published: County Incomes and Regional GDP 2022 – 2023. The Key Findings: “Dublin continued to have the highest disposable income per person nationally at €32,393 in 2023, followed by Cork at €29,876 and Limerick at €29,491.
Why So Few People Live In Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or Southwest England
What is the most Irish town in England?
Birmingham. Birmingham has a large Irish community, dating back to the Industrial Revolution, it is estimated that Birmingham has the largest Irish population per capita in Britain. Digbeth is the traditional Irish area in Birmingham.
The highest poverty risk is found in Donegal, Leitrim and Mayo and the lowest in the counties around Dublin. However, there is considerable diversity within administrative planning regions. Louth and Sligo, for instance, show much lower relative poverty risk than the other counties in the Border region.
Welcome to Drum - the only Protestant village in Republic of Ireland. They march to a very different beat in the village of Drum, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it sort of place that still manages to be an eye-opener in the heart of Co Monaghan.
Dublin is believed to be the most unsafe county in the Republic of Ireland over the last five years. This might not be too hard to imagine with Store Street Garda Station in the city centre being the busiest station in the country, recording 43,731 crimes between September 2020 and September 2025.
Coming out as number one as the most affordable county to live in Ireland is County Leitrim. According to the study, the average home in Leitrim sold for €186,487, requiring a minimum deposit of €18,649. This figure falls significantly below the national average of €29,108.
In common usage, it can mean the 32 counties that existed prior to 1838 – the so-called traditional counties, 26 of which are in the Republic of Ireland.
As of early 2026, the three most expensive areas in Ireland are Dublin 4 (Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount), Dublin 2 (Grand Canal Dock, Docklands), and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown's coastal strip (Blackrock, Monkstown, Dalkey).
Ever wondered which Irish Counties are visited by the most Tourists? Well a recent study by Fáilte Ireland has shown that Dublin is the most popular county for tourists to visit, especially for Luxury tours in Ireland.
Buncrana 'is the most Catholic town' BUNCRANA has been named the most Catholic town in the Republic. BUNCRANA has been named the most Catholic town in the Republic. Figures released by the Republic's Central Statistics Office showed that 94.3% of people in Buncrana were Catholic.
Prods: An offensive nickname for Protestants, often used by Catholics. Province: A name often used to describe Ulster or Northern Ireland. It is based on the fact that Ireland is made up of four provinces - Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connaught. Taigs: An offensive nickname for Catholics, often used by Protestants.
“Drum” or “Drom” comes from the Irish word “Droim/Drom” meaning “ridge.” Place names such as Drumwood, or “Coill an Droma” in Irish, mean “The Wood of the Ridge.”
According to the Ireland Liveability Index, Waterford is the best county to live in on account of it being one of sunniest counties in the country, having reasonably priced housing, and being in the top 10 most scenic counties.
Donegal - "The Forgotten County" or "The County of the Gaels" Donegal is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes along the Wild Atlantic Way. The word 'wild' is often used to describe the scenic masterpiece that is Donegal. Most would agree that Donegal's wilderness is meant to be explored.
Dalkey is home to many property millionaires, with over 600 individuals owning homes in the area valued in the millions. The neighborhood's appeal lies not only in its natural beauty but also in its privacy and close proximity to Dublin city, just a short drive or DART train ride away.
Dublin and its commuter belt are the most common destinations for British people moving to Ireland and are ideal if you value strong employment options, cultural life and fast international travel. Dublin Airport is the primary international hub and well connected to the UK and global destinations.
The most common Irish surnames in modern records consistently include Murphy, Kelly, O'Sullivan, Walsh, Byrne, O'Brien, Ryan, O'Connor, McCarthy, and Doyle. Their endurance reflects deep medieval roots and strong provincial bases. Murphy (Ó Murchadha, from muir “sea” + cath “battle”) is the most widespread.
Viking, Norman, Gaelic, and later English influences have combined to create a rich genetic and cultural heritage. This genetic diversity reflects Ireland's history of invasions, settlements, and integrations, contributing to the distinct Irish identity seen today.
