Is Ireland part of the Schengen Area?

Ireland is a European Union member state but has opted out of the Schengen Area. That means a Schengen visa does not cover Ireland, and Ireland controls its own borders and visa policy. Ireland is, however, part of the Common Travel Area with the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man — though Irish immigration permission does not by itself allow entry to the UK, and vice versa. For work, Ireland uses a national employment-permit system (Critical Skills and General Employment Permits issued by DETE) rather than the EU Blue Card or Single Permit framework. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens still enjoy free movement.