About Northern Ireland
Whether you live, work or are just coming to visit, you'll find lots of useful information on this page about Northern Ireland.
Key facts
| Population | 1.88 million people (estimated at 30 June 2018) |
|---|---|
| Capital city | Belfast |
| Nationality and citizenship | British, Irish or both |
| Language(s) | English, Irish, Ulster Scots, British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) |
| Weather | Northern Ireland forecast |
| Currency | Pound sterling (GBP) £ |
| Calling code | from abroad dial 00 44 + area code (without 0) + local number |
| Electricity | 240 volts (standard three-pin plugs) |
| Airport (s) | Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, City of Derry Airport |
| Major sea ports | Belfast, Larne, Warrenpoint |
If you want to find out more information about Northern Ireland, you'll find lots of useful and interesting statistics on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) website.
Public and bank holidays
Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Public Holidays are holidays which have been observed through custom and practice, such as Christmas Day.
Find out about the bank and public holidays in Northern Ireland.
Nationality and citizenship
Northern Ireland is part of the UK. As stated in the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland recognise the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland.
You can find out more about the different types of citizenship at the links below.
- British citizenship - GOV.UK website
- Irish citizenship - Citizens Information website
- Dual citizenship - GOV.UK website
Government
There are different levels of government in Northern Ireland. This ranges from the local council, looking after bin collections and leisure centres, the Executive and Assembly who run the government and pass laws, to the European Parliament and UK Parliament at Westminster.
Find out more about government in Northern Ireland.
Coming to Northern Ireland to visit, study or work
If you want to come to Northern Ireland to visit, study or work, you may need to apply for a visa through UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI).
You'll find a handy tool on the GOV.UK website, at the link below, to check if you need a visa. You can simply enter the country that issued your passport or travel documents and what you want the visa for, for example work, study or visiting. The checker will tell you if you need a visa and give you information on how to apply.
You may also find the links below useful.
- Working in Northern Ireland
- Permission to work in Northern Ireland
- Visiting Northern Ireland to marry or form a civil partnership
Visiting Northern Ireland
There are lots of things to see and do in Northern Ireland. You'll find everything here, from natural wonders like the Giant's Causeway, to stunning lakelands in Fermanagh and magnificent sandy beaches along the coastlines. Not to mention the great food, culture and warm welcome that awaits you in the cities and towns.
Visit the Discover Northern Ireland website to find out more.
Get statistical information about your neighbourhood
You can search the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS) using a postcode, street or area to view summary statistics for that area. You can also view statistics by searching for topics or themes, for example, births or census.
Postcodes
You can find a list of Northern Ireland postcodes at the link below.