Let's start from the beginning and get rid of some of the confusion for those going on vacation to Ireland

As you can see from the map above, Ireland is an island situated off the west coast of Britain, i.e. Scotland, England and Wales.

Also you will note that Ireland is a geographical but not a political entity. Indeed many of you will remember the troubled past of the last 30 years which thankfully has ended. Basically, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK) and the larger part of the island (the south) is an independent country called "The Republic of Ireland" also known in the Irish langauge as "Eire".

The country is served well by international air routes. Dublin, the capital of The Republic of Ireland, has direct air links to most European capitals, and to several US destinations. Belfast, the largest city in Northern Ireland, equally has good air connections to European and UK destinations.

For travellers wishing to travel with their vehicles to Ireland, there are frequent services from Scotland (to Northern Ireland) and from England and Wales to Dublin. The map above gives you a clearer picture of all sea routes and as you can see you can travel by ship directly from France.