The location
The United Kingdom
is located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe, forming an archipelago known as the British Isles.
Northern Ireland
is located in the north-east of the island of Ireland, forming part of the United Kingdom.
The Official Language
The United Kingdom
does not have an officially designated national language by law, although English holds de facto official status as the most widely spoken language, used in all official capacities and by approximately 98% of the population. this widespread use of English is due to its historical dominance and prevalence in government, education, and daily life, despite the absence of formal legislation declaring it official.
Northern Ireland
The official language of Northern Ireland is Irish, which gained official status in 2022. English is the de facto national language and is spoken as a first language by 95.4% of the population. Alongside Irish
The Official Reilgion
United Kingdom
The official religion of England is the Church of England, which is the established church of the nation and the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The monarch of the United Kingdom is the supreme governor of the Church of England. While the Church of England holds this official status in England
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not have an official religion. Christianity is the largest religion, with the 2021 census showing 79.7% of the population identifying as Christian, including 42.3% Catholic and 30.5% Protestantism (which includes denominations like Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, and Methodist). The religious landscape is deeply intertwined with cultural and political identities, historically dividing the population along Catholic (predominantly Irish nationalist) and Protestant (predominantly unionist) lines. While the Catholic Church is the largest single church, Protestant denominations collectively form a significant portion of the population. The Republic of Ireland, in contrast, has a predominantly Catholic population, but this is not the case in Northern Ireland.
The Climate
The United Kingdom
has a humid temperate oceanic climate (Cfb on the Köppen classification), characterized by mild winters, cool to warm summers, and relatively small temperature variations throughout the year due to the moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the North Atlantic Drift
Northern Ireland
has a temperate maritime climate (Cfb in the Köppen classification), characterized by mild temperatures, frequent rainfall, and high humidity throughout the year. the weather is highly changeable, with no extreme heat or cold
The Clothes
Trench coats
are deeply rooted in British fashion heritage, with Burberry being the brand most commonly associated with the staple. Today, you can find countless elevated trench coat options for every budget.
The Oxford shirt
comes from, well, Oxford. Not the case! I’m Scottish, and I’m proud to say it originated from my homeland. It was made as part of a four-piece shirt collection crafted by Scottish weavers, with each shirt being named after leading university (Harvard, Yale, Cambridge and Oxford). Today, the only shirt still in circulation is the blue-and-white stripe Oxford, which is beloved by bankers and influencers alike, the latter of which currently like styling them with equally preppy pleated skirts.
Modern and Everyday Wear: Contemporary British fashion includes a strong appreciation for local, high-quality products and classic styles.
Men often favor slim-cut suits in cities
while country styles like tweed jackets and flat caps are more common in rural areas.
Modern British wear also includes a range of accessories and clothing for everyday life, such as graphic t-shirts, handbags, scarves, and practical items like umbrellas.
North Ireland
Flowy dresses
Ireland has many windy days. but in summer you can bring a skort or a flowy dress with a pair of shorts underneath.
A pair of jeans
A good pair of jeans or comfortable slacks (pants) will be the base of most of your wardrobe in Ireland. Jeans go perfectly with layers
Shirts and Blouses
A long-sleeved shirt can double up as a lightweight jacket.
Shoes
For shoes, I recommend bringing a few pairs: comfy shoes for walking, waterproof boots for rainy days, dress shoes for going out, and if you’re visiting in the winter, some winter boots. which are called wellington boots in Ireland. Ankle boots or waterproof hiking shoes work great.
Socks
In Ireland, we say that you can experience four seasons all in one day, no matter the time of year or month of your travels. Warm socks are essential in winter time.
A rain jacket
Bring a raincoat, raincoat is best, March and April are two months that are known for squally unexpected rain showers. In the west of Ireland, this unpredictable weather is known as the Scaraveen.
A warm fleece
Summer evenings can turn quite nippy. a fleece can be worn under a rain jacket and peeled off in layers.
Umbrellas
An umbrella is a good idea m when wandering through small towns and cities on rainy days.
United Kingdom
Famous Landmarks
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Big Ben’s mighty clock tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks around the globe and one of England’s most iconic symbols. Perched on. the banks of the Thames alongside the Palace of Westminster, it’s impossible to miss while in London. The clock and tower are currently being refurbished but are set to unveil sometime in 2022.
Windsor Castle
Nestled in the county of Berkshire, Windsor Castle is one of three official residents for the Queen. And as such, it’s one of England’s most famous monuments to visit. It’s synonymous with British royalty and holds nearly 1,000 years of history within its walls. Not only that, but it is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the entire world.
Buckingham Palace
Home to the most famous Queen in the world, Buckingham Palace is on many an England itinerary. The palace itself is breathtaking containing a whopping 775 rooms and immaculate gardens along with a treasure trove of priceless art from around the globe. It’s also the spot to see the famous Queen’s Guards and Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Hadrian’s Wall
Found in Carlisle and built by the orders of Emperor Hadrian in the second century, Hadrian’s Wall is one of England’s biggest and most fascinating pieces of history. Marking the northern frontier of the Roman Empire and the most famous of its kind, this World Heritage Site is in a league of its own.
North Ireland
Blarney Stone and Castle (Cork)
– a legendary Irish site Blarney Castle is the third building to be built on its site, and the current structure was built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, and acted as a medieval stronghold.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin) – the tallest church in Ireland
Standing as the tallest church in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was established in 1171 and is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland and arguably one of the most beautiful churches in the world.
Titanic
Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Quarter is where the infamous Titanic ship was built, and it now houses Titanic Belfast, a modern, state-of-the-art, Titanic-themed maritime museum.
Skellig Islands (Kerry) –
an uninhabited escape from the mainland, When touring the Ring of Kerry, you will see the Skellig Islands, which are two breathtaking, rocky and uninhabited islets planted off the southeastern coast of Ireland and in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the islets, Skellig Michael, is home to an old Christian monastery that sits atop the rock, representing an Irish Christian tradition of solitude and search for God in it.
Cliffs of Moher (Clare)
– awe-inspiring, cascading sea cliffs, Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction and undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher are awe-inspiring sea cliffs situated off the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare. the cliffs span a total of 14 kilometres (8 miles) and reach a maximum height of 214 metres just north of O’Brien’s Tower.
Do’s and Don’ts
United Kingdom
Bring an umbrella
England’s weather is changeable, so be sure to bring an umbrella in case you encounter one of Britain’s famous downpours.
The nickname
The most common dos include greeting others formally, especially in business settings, using titles like “Mr,” “Ms,” “Mrs,” or “Miss” until invited to use first names, and shaking hands upon introduction.
Greet People You Meet
greet people with a simple “hello,” followed by a handshake when introducing someone new. If the context is formal, we can follow this up with a question, “How are you?” Be polite, but not overly affectionate. A kiss on the cheek is quite enough!
Queuing patiently
is a fundamental rule in public spaces, including when boarding buses or waiting in line at shops
Second Don’ts
Don’t: Drive on the wrong side of the road
This is tricky, as the English are among the 30% of the world’s population who drive on the left. When driving on English roads, it is highly recommended to focus on driving and avoid panicking.
When visiting
or living in the UK, adhering to common social and business etiquette is key to making a positive impression
In restaurants
it is customary to wait for the host to begin eating before starting your meal and to use a fork in the left hand and a knife in the right hand while eating.
avoiding loud conversations in public places
as the British value quiet and reserve. It is considered impolite to stare at others, as personal space and privacy are highly regarded.
Avoid asking personal questions
about salary, religion, or politics, especially during initial social interactions.
Don’t wearing striped ties
particularly those with regimental designs, is discouraged in Scotland as it may be seen as inappropriate or pretentious.
North Ireland
Do’s
Greet people
with a firm handshake and eye contact, which is the standard greeting in formal and informal settings.
Be prepared for
a friendly, chatty atmosphere; locals often engage in conversation about the weather, your travel plans, or your hometown, which is a common way to build rapport.
Show respect for parades
which are significant cultural events, especially during the summer months.
Acknowledge other drivers
on the road with a simple wave or a finger twitch from the steering wheel, a common and polite gesture in Ireland.
Don’ts
Avoid discussing politics or religion
as these topics are highly sensitive and can be volatile, particularly regarding the historical conflict known as the Troubles.
Do not refer to people
from the Republic of Ireland as ‘British’ or to Ireland as the United Kingdom, as these are distinct countries.
Refrain from using stereotypical phrases like
“Top of the Morning” or “May the Road Rise to Meet You,” which are considered clichéd and inappropriate by locals.
Do not assume someone’s national identity
avoid labeling individuals as either ‘British’ or ‘Irish’ and instead refer to them as Northern Irish or from Northern Ireland.
Do not take an empty seat
in a crowded pub without first asking the people around it if the seat is occupied, as this is considered a serious breach of pub etiquette.
The Architecture
in United Kingdom
Millennium Centre, Cardiff
It’s hard to avoid the Millennium Centre if you’re in Cardiff. The copper building, adorned in Welsh and English inscriptions, is the focus of Mermaid Quay. It controversially replaced plans for a Zaha Hahid-designed cultural centre, but that bit of beef has largely been forgotten over the last 20 years. Now, it looks at home, showing popular musicals like Six and Singin’ in the Rain, plus free workshops for local young people wanting to get into theatre.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The entry to Blackpool Pleasure Beach can be hard to find among, well, everything else on the promenade. If you manage not to get distracted by the flashing arcade lights, kiss-me-quick hats and the rattle of rollercoasters overhead, the theme park’s façade is actually pretty mesmerising. It’s pleasingly ornate, framed with a spiralling tower and curving decorative elements reminiscent of seashells. Take a look before going on the rides.
Winter Gardens, Sheffield
The Winter Gardens in Sheffield pack a whole load of plants into this relatively modest building. Wood-beamed archways make this a sort of church for the foliage enthusiast, with pathways guiding you through the vegetation. It’s a great detour through the city – emerging into a gallery space, café and into the upper part of Sheffield. Oh, and admission is free.
VISUAL & the George Bernard Shaw Theatre by Terry Pawson Architects, Dublin
This €18-million building forms a multifunctional space for the arts in the Republic of Ireland’s capital city, combining VISUAL — a high-ceilinged exhibition space for displaying contemporary art — and a large theater venue. The building reads as a series of volumes clad with opaque glass and presented on a raised concrete plinth, providing ample day lighting for the galleries in the daytime and forming a contemporary lantern by night.
Dwelling at Maytree by ODOS, Wicklow
This sleek modernist structure looks more like a contemporary gallery than a private residence, with sculptural elements containing open-plan living spaces beneath a steep, tree-covered escarpment. In the midst of the snow-white walls and cool gray window frames, flashes of lime enliven the building’s appearance, and a bold cantilever is supported by a quirky cluster of bright red columns.
Mew
The raw aesthetic of these private residences in Dublin’s city center nods to the area’s industrial heritage. The cantilevered upper section is comprised of power-coated, metal industrial floor planks arranged in varying widths to create a dynamic rhythm along the mews frontage. Behind this metal veil, open-plan living spaces are punctuated with plant-filled rooftop terraces.s Houses by ODOS, Dublin
The Security in United Kingdom
The security situation in the United Kingdom involves a range of evolving threats and policy responses. The UK faces increasing threats from state actors, including espionage, sabotage, cyber attacks, and democratic interference, which target citizens, institutions, businesses, and critical national infrastructure such as undersea cables and energy pipelines.
Russia, Iran, and China
are identified as significant security concerns, with Russia engaging in sabotage and arson, Iran linked to multiple plots against UK residents since 2022, and China posing risks through attempts to obtain sensitive information from academia and industry.
Hostile states
are using terrorist and criminal groups as proxies, making it more difficult to identify such activities.
Terrorism remains a persistent threat
with the UK maintaining a national terrorism threat level of 3 (“substantial”) on a scale of 5, while Northern Ireland faces a higher threat level of 4 (“severe”).
Islamist extremism
is the primary focus of counter-terrorism efforts, accounting for 75% of MI5’s work, while extreme right-wing terrorism, which disproportionately involves young people, makes up the remainder.
Lone actors inspired by online material pose a significant challenge.
The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorist attacks in public areas, transportation hubs, and tourist locations.
Cybersecurity is a growing priority
especially amid a spike in ransomware attacks targeting essential services and critical infrastructure.
The UK government has introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen digital defenses and secure supply chains.
the National Security and Investment Act 2021 established a
regime to scrutinize and intervene in transactions that could threaten national security, covering mergers, minority investments, and acquisitions of critical assets.
The UK government has also emphasized domestic resilience, including economic, energy, and infrastructure security, as part of its broader security strategy.
However, concerns have been raised about the erosion of privacy rights, particularly following a reported January 2025 order under the Investigatory Powers Act demanding Apple provide access to encrypted user data, which human rights organizations argue constitutes an overreach that undermines global privacy and security.
Encryption is seen as
vital for protecting human rights defenders, journalists, and the general public from both state and non-state threats.
Public vigilance is advised, especially during demonstrations, which can turn violent, and in response to disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining societal cohesion.
The UK continues to navigate its post-Brexit security posture, balancing relationships with NATO, the EU, and other global partners while reinforcing its role in multilateral security efforts.
The Security situation in Northern Ireland
The security situation in Northern Ireland continues to face a threat from dissident republican and loyalist paramilitary groups
although the overall level of violence has significantly decreased since the height of The Troubles. As of January 2019, the threat level from Northern Ireland-related terrorism in Northern Ireland remains at “SEVERE,” meaning an attack is highly likely, while the threat to Great Britain is assessed as “MODERATE”. this assessment has remained consistent over recent years, with the threat level unchanged since at least October 2014.
The violent dissident republican groups
including the so-called “new IRA,” Óglaigh na hÉireann (ONH), and factions of the Continuity IRA (CIRA), continue to pose a threat, primarily targeting police and prison officers, despite law enforcement successes in disrupting plots and making arrests, dissident republicans have continued to carry out attacks, including bombings, shootings, and arson.
Security-related incidents have shown a downward trend in recent years.
For example, the number of national security attacks decreased from 16 in 2015 to five in 2017 and only one in 2018. in 2017, there were 58 shooting incidents and 30 bombing incidents (excluding hoax devices, petrol bombings, and incendiaries), representing a slight increase from 2016 but still reflecting a substantial reduction compared to historical averages. that year, 27 individuals were victims of paramilitary-style shootings, with 89% attributed to republicans, while loyalists were responsible for 77% of 74 paramilitary-style assaults. there were two security-related deaths in 2017, a decrease from six in 2016.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
in cooperation with MI5 and An Garda Síochána, continues to play a central role in countering terrorism, supported by sustained government funding.
Loyalist paramilitary organizations, such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), also persist, though their leaderships are generally assessed as committed to the peace process, however, tensions and in-fighting within these groups remain a concern, with some members engaging in criminal activities such as drug dealing, extortion, and punishment attacks within their own communities. the British Army formally ended its operational role in Northern Ireland in 2007, transferring full responsibility for policing to the PSNI, although a regular garrison of British troops remains. despite the progress since the Good Friday Agreement, paramilitary capability and the propensity for violence persist, contributing to a “managed decline” in security incidents aimed at eventual cessation. the consistency of low-level activity suggests that the threat is likely to continue into the foreseeable future