Leinster is now the most populated province on the island, with over half the population of the Republic of Ireland living there. The area was heavily colonised over the centuries and, as a result, it's home to many fine examples of medieval, Norman, Georgian and Neolithic architecture.
Munster
Two of Ireland’s largest counties are found in Munster: Cork and Kerry. Both have their own names they like to go by.
In Cork they consider themselves the “People’s Republic of Cork”, because if there is one thing people from Cork love, it’s Cork. It's also affectionately known as the gourmet county, because of its excellent culinary expertise.
“The Kingdom of Kerry” next door has won the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships more times than any other team. It's lush green scenery and stunning coastline is coveted by visitors while the town of Dingle boasts its own resident dolphin called Fungi (so popular he even has his own Twitter account.)
The lunar Burren and Cliffs of Moher are in County Clare and several ancient castles populate the counties of Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. Waterford is renowned for its exquisite hand-cut crystal glass.
Munster’s counties are Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
Ulster
The combined influences of several different cultures – the Ulster Scots, the Gaels, the Normans and the Anglo-Normans – have sculpted and coloured the Ulster landscape in a particularly unique manner.
Natural beauties such as Donegal’s Glenveagh National Park, the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Fermanagh’s Lakelands and the Giant’s Causeway in Antrim (seen in all its glory here in Ben Joyner’s competition winning video) make this part of the island a spectacular place to visit.
Meanwhile, the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast city, played its part in making maritime history as the birthplace of the world's most famous ship: the Titanic.
The province contains counties Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Monaghan and Tyrone.