Ireland Map with Counties and Towns

Printable Ireland Map – Map of Ireland with Counties [PDF]

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Written by World

14 July 2023

Looking for a printable Ireland map for school, teaching, geography projects, or travel planning? Explore our collection of free Ireland maps featuring county boundaries, county towns, major cities, roads, and railways. Download the maps as PDF files and print them in A4 or A5 format where available.

This collection includes a map of Ireland with counties, a county map with administrative centres, a map showing towns, and a general map highlighting roads and transport routes. Choose the version that best suits your needs.

You can also explore our blank map of Ireland for geography exercises, labelling practice, and classroom activities.

Map of Ireland Counties

The island of Ireland is divided into four traditional provinces: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. These provinces contain 32 traditional counties across the island. Twenty-six are in the Republic of Ireland, while six are in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

Map of Ireland Counties 1

Download as PDF (A4)

Download as PDF (A5)

Our first Ireland county map shows county boundaries without the additional detail of cities and towns. It is useful for learning county locations, understanding Ireland’s geography, and completing school assignments.

Choose the PDF size that suits your printer and paper. For more detailed geographical information, continue to the maps showing county towns and other settlements.

How Many Counties Are There in Ireland?

The island of Ireland has 32 traditional counties: 26 in the Republic of Ireland and six in Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland also has 31 local authority areas. These include county councils, city councils, and combined city and county councils. Local government boundaries do not correspond exactly to the traditional county structure, so the terms county and local authority area should not be treated as interchangeable.

The 26 traditional counties in the Republic of Ireland are:

Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

Northern Ireland’s six traditional counties are Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry (also known as Derry), and Tyrone.

The Dublin area is divided into four local authority areas: Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin. Similarly, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford have city or combined city-and-county administrative arrangements.

Ireland County Map with Capitals and County Towns

A county map with administrative centres makes it easier to identify important towns and understand how settlements relate to county boundaries. In Ireland, these places are commonly described as county towns or administrative centres rather than state capitals.

Our next map shows the traditional 26-county area of the Republic of Ireland alongside county towns. It is helpful for students, teachers, geography enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a more detailed reference map.

Ireland County Map with Capitals and County Towns
Ireland County Map with Capitals and County Towns

Download as PDF (A4)

Download as PDF (A5)

County Towns and Administrative Centres in Ireland

The following list provides commonly associated county towns or administrative centres. Some counties share a city, and the official seat of a local authority may differ from the traditional county town.

County or areaTown or administrative centre
CarlowCarlow
CavanCavan
ClareEnnis
CorkCork
DonegalLifford
DublinDublin
GalwayGalway
KerryTralee
KildareNaas
KilkennyKilkenny
LaoisPortlaoise
LeitrimCarrick-on-Shannon
LimerickLimerick
LongfordLongford
LouthDundalk
MayoCastlebar
MeathNavan
MonaghanMonaghan
OffalyTullamore
RoscommonRoscommon
SligoSligo
TipperaryClonmel and Nenagh
WaterfordWaterford
WestmeathMullingar
WexfordWexford
WicklowWicklow

Ireland Map with Counties and Towns

An Ireland map with counties and towns combines administrative boundaries with settlement information. This version is particularly useful when you need more detail than a simple outline map.

The island of Ireland lies in northwestern Europe, west of Great Britain. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west, while the Irish Sea separates Ireland from Great Britain to the east. Other surrounding waters include the North Channel, Celtic Sea, and St George’s Channel.

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland occupy the same island but belong to different political jurisdictions. The Republic is an independent country, while Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

Ireland Map with Counties and Towns
Ireland Map with Counties and Towns

Download as PDF (A4)

Download as PDF (A5)

This map includes county boundaries, county towns, additional settlements, and the boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Use it to locate towns, compare regions, and prepare geography or travel activities.

Printable Ireland Map for Roads, Railways, and Travel

A general-purpose printable Ireland map is useful when you want to see the country’s major settlements and transport connections without focusing on county boundaries.

Our next map highlights towns, main roads, railways, and airports. It can serve as a starting point for planning a trip, preparing a classroom exercise, or learning the relative positions of major destinations.

Printable Ireland Map for Roads, Railways, and Travel
Printable Ireland Map for Roads, Railways, and Travel

Download as PDF

For navigation, driving directions, railway timetables, or current transport conditions, use an up-to-date mapping or transport service as well. A printable reference map should not be treated as a live navigation tool.

Physical Geography of Ireland: Rivers, Lakes, and Coastlines

Ireland’s landscape includes coastal cliffs, mountains, lowland plains, rivers, and lakes. These features make a printable map useful for learning physical geography as well as administrative boundaries.

The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, flowing through the western part of the central lowlands before reaching the Atlantic through the Shannon Estuary. Ireland’s lakes are commonly called loughs. Lough Corrib, in County Galway, is one of the largest lakes on the island.

The country’s coastline and surrounding waters also help explain its historical trading connections, transport routes, and regional differences.

For a geography project, pair a county map with a physical map to compare administrative areas with rivers, lakes, mountains, and coastal features.

How to Print an Ireland Map as a PDF

Follow these steps to print your chosen map:

  1. Select the Ireland map that best matches your purpose.
  2. Open the corresponding PDF download link.
  3. Save the PDF to your computer or device.
  4. Open the file in a PDF reader and select Print.
  5. Choose A4 or A5 paper where supported.
  6. Select portrait or landscape orientation according to the map’s proportions.
  7. Use the fit-to-page option if needed, and check the print preview before printing.

For classroom activities, a county outline map is ideal for labelling exercises. For travel preparation, a map with towns and roads may be more useful. A detailed map may be easier to read on A4 paper than on A5.

Best Uses for a Printable Ireland Map

A printable map can support a variety of learning and planning activities:

  • Education: Learn county names, provinces, towns, and the geography of Ireland.
  • Classroom activities: Ask students to label counties, identify county towns, or mark major cities.
  • Travel planning: Compare the locations of towns and regions before a trip.
  • Geography projects: Study the differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
  • Personal reference: Keep a paper map for quick reference when an internet connection is unavailable.

Teachers can also print a blank map and use it for quizzes, group assignments, or revision exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions About Printable Ireland Maps

1. Can I download a printable Ireland map for free?

Yes. The maps linked on this page are offered as free PDF downloads. Select the relevant map and open its PDF link to save a copy.

2. How many counties are there in Ireland?

The island of Ireland has 32 traditional counties: 26 in the Republic of Ireland and six in Northern Ireland. The Republic has 31 local authority areas, which are a separate administrative classification.

3. Can I download an Ireland map with counties?

Yes. The county map near the beginning of this page shows county boundaries and is available in A4 and A5 PDF versions.

4. Is there a printable Ireland map with towns?

Yes. The map showing counties and towns includes county boundaries, county towns, and additional settlements.

5. Can I print an Ireland map on A4 or A5 paper?

Yes. Several maps are available in A4 and A5 PDF formats. Another map is provided as a general PDF. Check the download links for the available sizes.

6. What is the difference between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland?

The Republic of Ireland is an independent country. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Both are located on the island of Ireland.

7. Which Ireland map is best for school projects?

A county outline map is best for learning county locations and practising labelling. A map with towns is more suitable for identifying settlements, while a transport map helps explain the locations of roads, railways, and airports.

8. Can I use a printable Ireland map for travel planning?

Yes, for general planning and understanding locations. For current road conditions, turn-by-turn navigation, or public transport schedules, use an up-to-date navigation or transport service.

Reference links

https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/classifications/csodatastandardsandclassifications/csostatisticalclassifications/csolocalauthorityandnutsregionsclassification

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/local-authorities

https://data.gov.ie/en_GB/dataset/counties-national-statutory-boundaries-ungeneralised-20261/resource/d463fced-d646-458c-b377-c4d7558cde48

https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpr/censusofpopulation2022-preliminaryresults/geographicchanges

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/your-council

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I’m the creator of World Maps, passionate about geography, world exploration, and discovering the fascinating places that make our planet unique. Through maps and geographical insights, I aim to make learning about the world simple, interesting, and fun. 🌍🗺️

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