Schooling in Ireland?

Ok well first off, im a sophomore in high school from Tennessee and my school is starting to crack down on deciding what colleges we want to go to. I am absolutely positive that i want to go to College in Ireland, but i have so many questions and things i need to find out before i can accomplish that. So here's my list:

1. I believe i read on a website that citizens of the Untied States do not require a student visa, but do require a passport, is this true?

2. I want to be a Criminologist, and to achieve that i need a bachelors degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice. What schools in Ireland offer the best courses for that?

3. I was thinking of moving to Dublin or Galway. I would love to move to a place that has a fantastic scenic view and not many tourists i want to be surrounded by just Irish, where would be the best place?

4. What scholarships are offered? And at what Colleges, and what do i need to do to qualify for one of these scholarships?

5. What are the people in Ireland like? Like socially? Knowing from how people here in the States adapt to immigrants or foreigners, they aren't exactly so much as "accepting". Is that how people in Ireland are too? Will i be accepted or an outcast? Should i learn to speak Gaelic fluent before i move?

I'm sorry, i understand that these are a LOT of questions... and if you don't know them all, do you know any credible websites that do? Is there someone i should talk to such as my school councilor or college adviser to contact some colleges in Ireland? I'm just confused as to what exactly i need to do, I've never been out of the country as far as even Canada or Mexico.

Thank you so much! :)