Why
Ireland?
Ireland is famous throughout the world for the friendliness
of her people, the beauty of her countryside and the quality
of life people enjoy here. Compared with many other western
European countries, Ireland has a relatively conservative society.
Family values and the emphasis on a good education are very
important for the Irish. The country enjoys a mild climate with
summers a little more rainy but not as hot as on the European
mainland. The winters on the other hand are quite mild. In the
southwest of the country – where Cork City is located
– the winters are so warm that it hardly ever snows in
the lowlands.
Irish people in general are very open-minded and have a positive
attitude towards foreigners. This is being reflected by a relatively
low crime rate particularly in Cork, Kerry and along the West
Coast. The economic boom Ireland has been experiencing over
the last ten years has brought a lot of Europeans – businessmen,
workers and students alike – to Ireland. Cities like Cork
and Dublin have become very cosmopolitan and particularly in
Cork City – a university town since 1845 – with
its thriving art and music scene, you find people from all over
the world. The Cork Film Festival and the Cork Jazz Festival
are two annual events which draw many people from allover the
world to Cork, really putting the city and the country on the
map. Cork is the country’s second biggest city with a
population of about 150.000 inhabitants but a much larger catchment
area. In 2005, Cork was the European Capital of Culture.
