Education Ireland

Ireland has topped a list of the World's Friendliest Countries in a survey drawn up by the Lonely Planet travel guide group.

The Lonely Planet Bluelist books are annual collections of the top trends, destinations and experiences around the world. In the latest survey, Ireland comes in above Fiji, Indonesia and Malawi as the friendliest travel destination.

People were said to have 'a deliciously dark sense of humour'. The Emerald Isle has 'a welcoming attitude towards strangers' and the Irish can find craic in boom or bust eras, Lonely Planet said visitors are always in for a treat.

The number of PhDs awarded in the Republic of Ireland this year is expected to top the 1,000 mark for the first time and marks significant progress towards Ireland’s goal to be to the fore as a global centre for research, according to the Higher Education Authority (HEA). This achievement will be reached as the HEA and higher education institutions prepare to mark the tenth anniversary of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), which is managed by the HEA on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. It means that Ireland is well set to meet the ambitious targets of the Government under its Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.