Welcome from Northern Ireland!

Northern Ireland is one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, representing 5.8% of the UK’s total surface area and 2.8% of its population. Occupying nearly 17% of the total Island of Ireland, the country shares its border with the Republic of Ireland by land to its south, the North Atlantic Ocean to the north-northwest and the Irish Sea and North Channel to the east.  Its closest UK neighbor is Scotland which lies 399 km (310 miles) directly across the Irish Sea and North Channel on the island of Great Britain. 

Encasing a unique ecological mosaic influenced by its relatively wet and mild-to-cold North Atlantic climate, Northern Ireland features a compelling geological landscape ranging from its coastal beaches and flat regions to its steep valleys and mountains. Its ecological condition is colored mostly by its large agricultural land space, rare and threatened species, and its landscape of ancient mountains, glacial artistry, and large inland and coastal waterbodies.  Like many other nations, however, the country has faced conclusive environmental challenges over the past decades that are revealed by habitat loss, pollution and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Realizing its urgent need to address these growing ecological challenges, The Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs launched The Green Growth Strategy in 2020; it is sanctioned and reinforced by the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act of 2022.  This country-wide commitment was specifically created to transition to a net-zero emissions and nature rich society by 2050, fostering environmental innovations that include climate action planning, species and habitat protection and restoration, and sustainable economic development.

The people and culture of Northern Ireland embrace the country’s ecology with a deep sense of respect, accountability, determination and compassion; it’s not just about protecting nature, but about collaboration with their natural provisions and resources.

Ecology Prime™ welcomes you into the heart of Northern Ireland’s ecological beauty and cultural legacy, showcasing a nation that blends tradition with environmental innovation. This marks the beginning of Northern Ireland’s cultural hub on Ecology Prime™, highlighting its vision for a sustainable and inclusive world. This is Northern Ireland….  

Official Languages: Irish Gaelic

• English is the primary language spoken by nearly 100% of the population.
• Regional Languages include Irish (Gaelic) and Ulster Scots.
• Other Languages Spoken: Polish – 1.0%; Lithuanian – 0.5%; Chinese – 0.3%; Portuguese – 0.3%; Tagalog – 0.2%.

Unique Facts about Northern Ireland: Did You Know…?

• Northern Ireland is home to a surprising variety of microclimates – small areas where the climate differs from the surrounding region due to geography, vegetation and/or human influence.  The most famous is Mount Stewart which is mild and sheltered, with higher humidity and less frost than surrounding areas, allowing a wide variety of exotic plants to thrive.
• The Irish Sea is part of the North Atlantic Ocean and separates Ireland from Great Britain. It is connected to the Atlantic through the North Channel and St. George’s Channel, making it a marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean.
• Only about half a million residents, a little less than a third of the Northern Ireland human population, are native Irish. Most of the remaining population are descendants of mixed marriages with the English and Scots.
• About 10,000 years ago during the last ice age, all of Northern Ireland including the entire Island of Ireland was covered with ice.
• The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features around 40,000 basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, making it Northern Ireland’s most iconic natural landmark.

• The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, originally built by salmon fishermen, spans a 20-meter-wide chasm along the rugged Causeway Coast and is surrounded by ecologically rich coastal habitats.
• Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff edge in County Antrim, overlooks protected coastal marine zones known for seabird nesting and wave-eroded sea stacks.
• The Mourne Mountains, including Slieve Donard, are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to rare upland species, peat bogs, and conservation priority habitats.
• Northern Ireland’s protected areas include 1,386 conservation features, with 55% in favorable condition — including 87% of marine features and 91% of monitored terrestrial mammals.
• Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, providing drinking water to over 40% of Northern Ireland’s population as well as it supports rich biodiversity such as eel populations and migratory birds.
• Only 6% of woodland features in Northern Ireland’s protected areas are in favorable condition, indicating significant reforestation and conservation needs.
• Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark features underground rivers and limestone formations. It is recognized by UNESCO for its ecological and geological significance.
• Average annual precipitation in Northern Ireland is 1,113.4 mm (43.8 inches), contributing to lush grasslands, wetlands, and bog habitats critical to species like curlews and dragonflies.
• In 2024, 81.9% of renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland came from wind energy, highlighting its leadership in clean energy transition in the UK.