Where Is Ireland Located? Geography and Political Division

Ireland is a sovereign nation in northwestern Europe, occupying the majority of the island of Ireland.

Political Geography

• Republic of Ireland: Independent country covering ~5/6 of the island (70,273 km²)
• Northern Ireland: Part of the United Kingdom, covering the northeast (~1/6 of the island)

Physical Geography

• West of Great Britain, separated by the Irish Sea
• Atlantic Ocean to the west, Celtic Sea to the south
• Central lowlands ringed by coastal mountains
• Temperate maritime climate—mild, wet, changeable

The Republic of Ireland (capital: Dublin) is an EU member; Northern Ireland (capital: Belfast) remains in the UK post-Brexit with special arrangements.