Counties of Ireland

The island of Ireland is divided into 8 regions and thirty-two counties.

The number of county in Ireland is twenty-sixty. Six of these thirty-two counties are located in Northern Ireland.

The Counties of Ireland are used geographically to separate local government areas. Counties in Ireland were established with a system similar to the counties used as local government units in the UK.

Counties are divided into historic subregions called Barony.

A color-coded map showing the counties of Ireland with labels for each county.
Map Showing the Counties of Ireland

26 Traditional Counties of Ireland

26 Traditional Counties of Ireland:

1. Carlow

An image of a large, gothic-style stone structure with arches and towers, resembling a castle or fortress, under a clear sky.

Carlow is a county in the South East of Ireland, within the borders of Leinster province. Carlow has an area of 897 square kilometers and has a population of 56,932 according to the 2016 census.

There are seven historic baronies in Carlow. These baronies are Carlow, Forth, Idrone East, Idrone West, Rathvilly, St Mullin’s Lower and St Mullin’s Upper.

2. Cavan

A serene view of a lake with sunlight reflecting off the water surface, framed by silhouettes of trees in the foreground.

Cavan is a county in the North West of Ireland, within the borders of Ulster province. Cavan has an area of 1,932 square kilometers and has a population of 76,176 according to the 2016 census.

There are eight historic baronies in Cavan. These baronies are Castlerahan, Clankee, Clanmahon, Loughtee Lower, Loughtee Upper, Tullygarvey, Tullyhaw and Tullyhunco.

3. Clare

A coastal scene featuring a weathered rock, turbulent sea, distant cliffs, and an overcast sky.

Clare is a county in the county of Shannon, Ireland, within the borders of Munster province. Clare has an area of 3,450 square kilometers and has a population of 118,817 according to the 2016 census.

There are eleven historic baronies in Clare. These baronies are Bunratty Lower, Bunratty Upper, Burren, Clonderalaw, Corcomroe, Ibrickan, Inchiquin, Islands, Moyarta, Tulla Lower and Tulla Upper.

4. Cork

A coastal landscape with jagged rocks in the foreground and a small island in the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Cork is a county located in the Cork-Kerry region of Ireland and within the borders of Munster province. Cork has 7,500 square kilometers area and has a population of 542,868 according to the 2016 census.

There are Twenty-four historic baronies in Cork. These baronies are Bantry, Barretts, Barrymore, Bear, Carbery East, Carbery East, Carbery West, Condons and Clangibbon, Cork City, Cork, Courceys, Duhallow, Fermoy, Ibane and Barryroe, Imokilly, Kerrycurrihy, Kinalea, Kinalmeaky, Kinnatalloon, Kinsale, Muskerry East and Orrery and Kilmore.

5. Donegal

A picturesque lighthouse situated on a rugged coastline with a red handrail leading towards it, under a dramatic sky with clouds.

Donegal is a county in the North West of Ireland, within the boundaries of Ulster province. Donegal has an area of 4,861 square kilometers and has a population of 159,192 according to the 2016 census.

Donegal has eight historic baronies. These baronies are Banagh, Boylagh, Inishowen East, Inishowen West, Kilmacrennan, Raphoe North, Raphoe South and Tirhugh

6. Dublin

A night cityscape featuring industrial buildings and a brightly lit, steam-emitting factory under a dark sky.

Dublin is a county in the county of Leinster province in Dublin, Ireland. Dublin has an area of 922 square kilometers and has a population of 1,345,402 according to the 2016 census.

There are four local authorities covering the geographical area of the city of Dublin. These are Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council.

7. Galway

A coastal landscape showing the Cliffs of Moher with green grass in the foreground and the Atlantic Ocean below.

Galway is a county in the West of Ireland, within the boundaries of Connacht province. Galway has an area of 6,149 square kilometers and has a population of 258,058 according to the 2016 census. The first residents in Galway came 7000 years ago. Archaeological studies show that people lived on these lands in 5000 BC.

8. Kerry

A small white house with a red door located beside a country road with a stone wall, surrounded by greenery with a lake and hills in the background.

Kerry is a county in the Cork-Kerry region of Ireland and is within the boundaries of Munster province. Kerry has an area of 4,807 square kilometers and has a population of 147,707 according to the 2016 census.

There are nine historic baronies in Kerry. These baronies are Clanmaurice, Corkaguiny, Dunkerron North, Dunkerron South, Glanarought, Iraghticonnor, Iveragh Peninsula, Magunihy and Trughanacmy.

9. Kildare

An image of an old, dilapidated building with a unique, large chimney structure under a partly cloudy sky.

Kildare is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Kildare has an area of 1,695 square kilometers and has a population of 222,504 according to the 2016 census. Kildare is bordered by Carlow, Laois, Meath, Offaly, Dublin and Wicklow.

10. Kilkenny

A river surrounded by lush greenery with trees and plants on both sides, under a partly cloudy sky.

Kilkenny is a county in the South East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Kilkenny has an area of 2,073 square kilometers and has a population of 99,232 according to the 2016 census.

There are nine historic baronies in Kilkenny. These baronies are Callan, Crannagh, Fassadi, Barony of Galmoy, Gowran, Ida, Iverk, Kells, Kilculliheen, Kilkenny City, Knocktopher and Shillelogher.

11. Laois

An old stone structure with archways sits in ruins amidst green grass, trees, fields, under a clear sky.

Laois is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Laois has an area of 1,720 square kilometers and has a population of 84,697 according to the 2016 census.

There are nine historic baronies in Laois. These baronies are Ballyadams, Cullenagh, Maryborough East, Maryborough West, Portnehinch, Slievemargue, Stradbally, Tinnehinch and Upper Ossory.

12. Leitrim

An image of a rugged, green mountainous landscape with overcast skies.

Leitrim is a county in the North West of Ireland, within the borders of Connacht province. Leitrim has an area of 1,590 square kilometers and has a population of 32,044 according to the 2016 census.

There are five historic baronies in Leitrim. These baronies are Carrigallen, Drumahaire, Leitrim, Mohill and Rosclogher.

13. Limerick

A peaceful waterfront view with a cloudy sky, calm water, a wooden dock, moored boats, and distant buildings.

Limerick is a county in the Shannon region of Ireland, within the borders of Munster province. Limerick has an area of 2,756 square kilometers and has a population of 194,899 according to the 2016 census.

Limerick has fourteen historic baronies. These baronies are Clanwilliam, Connello Lower, Connello Upper, Coonagh, Coshlea, Coshma, Glenquin, Kenry, Kilmallock.

14. Longford

A photo of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, showing the rugged cliff faces and a stack formation against an overcast sky.

Longford is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Longford has an area of 1,091 square kilometers and has a population of 40,873 according to the 2016 census. Longford borders the Cavan in the northeast, Westmeath in the southeast, Roscommon in the southwest and Leitrim in the northwest.

15. Louth

A narrow rural road lined with greenery and yellow flowering bushes under an overcast sky.

Louth is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Louth has an area of 827 square kilometers and has a population of 128,884 according to the 2016 census. Louth is one of the most populous counties in Ireland.

16. Mayo

A rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the rocks under a cloudy sky.

Mayo is a county in the West of Ireland, within the boundaries of Connacht province. Mayo has an area of 5,586 square kilometers and has a population of 130,507 according to the 2016 census. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west; by the county of Galway in the south; by eastern Roscommon District; and the northeastern region is bordered by Sligo.

17. Meath

Aerial view of a large crop circle in a field with trees and a landscape in the background.

Meath is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Meath has an area of 2,342 square kilometers and has a population of 195,044 according to the 2016 census.

There are eighteen historic baronies in Meath.

18. Monaghan

A large, historic stone mansion with multiple chimneys and turrets, surrounded by a well-manicured lawn and set against a clear blue sky.

Monaghan is a county in the North West of Ireland, within the borders of Ulster province. Monaghan has an area of 1,295 square kilometers and has a population of 60,483 according to the 2011 census.

There are five historic baronies in Monaghan. These baronies are Cremorne, Dartree, Farney, Monaghan and Trough.

19. Offaly

A historical site with an ancient round tower and a Celtic cross in a graveyard with flat grave markers, under a partly cloudy sky.

Offaly is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the borders of Leinster province. Offaly has an area of 2,001 square kilometers and has a population of 77,961 according to the 2016 census.

There are twelve historic baronies in Offaly. These baronies are Ballyboy, Ballybrit, Ballycowen, Clonlisk, Coolestown, Eglish, Garrycastle, Geashill, Kilcoursey, Lower Philipstown, Upper Philipstown and Warrenstown.

20. Roscommon

Aerial view of a ruined castle on a small island surrounded by water during daylight.

Roscommon is a county in the West of Ireland, within the boundaries of Connacht province. Roscommon has an area of 2,548 square kilometers and has a population of 64,544 according to the 2016 census.

There are nine historic baronies at Roscommon. These baronies are Boyle, Frenchpark, Roscommon, Castlereagh, Ballintober North, Ballymoe, Ballintober, Athlone and Moycarn.

21. Sligo

A small cairn on a hill with dry vegetation, distant hills, and a cloudy sky.

Sligo is a county in the North West of Ireland, within the borders of Connacht province. Sligo has an area of 1,838 square kilometers and has a population of 65,535 according to the 2016 census.

22. Tipperary

An image of a stone castle on a hill with vegetation, overlooking a river with several swans.

Tipperary is a county in the South East of Ireland, within the borders of Munster province. Tipperary has an area of 4,305 square kilometers and has a population of 159,553 according to the 2016 census.

There are twelve historic baronies in Tipperary. These baronies are Clanwilliam, Eliogarty, Iffa and Offa East, Iffa and Offa West, Ikerrin, Kilnamanagh Lower, Kilnamanagh Upper, Middle Third, Ormond Lower, Ormond Upper, Owney and Arra and Slievardagh.

23. Waterford

An image of a historic stone castle with towers and battlements, surrounded by greenery.

Waterford is a county in the South East of Ireland, within the borders of Munster province. Waterford has an area of 1,857 square kilometers and has a population of 116,176 according to the 2016 census.

There are eight historic baronies in Waterford. These baronies are Coshmore and Coshbride, Decies-within-Drum, Decies-without-Drum, Gaultiere, Glenahiry, Middle Third, Upperthird and Waterford City.

24. Westmeath

An image of a section of a classic building with an arched entrance, partially covered in ivy, next to a tree with green foliage.

Westmeath is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Westmeath has an area of 1,840 square kilometers and has a population of 88,770 according to the 2016 census.

25. Wexford

An image of the ruins of a large Gothic-style abbey with pointed arches and no roof, set against a backdrop of hills and a cloudy sky.

Wexford is a county in the South East of Ireland, within the boundaries of Leinster province. Wexford has an area of 2,365 square kilometers and has a population of 149,722 according to the 2016 census.

26. Wicklow

A small, ancient stone church with a distinctive bell tower, surrounded by lush greenery and set against a backdrop of misty, rolling hills.

Wicklow is a county located in the Midland East of Ireland, within the borders of Munster province. Wicklow has an area of 2,027 square kilometers and has a population of 142,42 according to the 2016 census.

There are eight historic baronies in Wicklow. These baronies are Arklow, Ballinacor North, Ballinacor South, Talbotstown Lower, Talbotstown Upper, Newcastle, Rathdown and Shillelagh.

Related: Where is Ireland Located?