Ireland Summary

Updated: 20.05.2020

Ireland Summary

Location: north-western Europe, on the island of Ireland
Capital city: Dublin
Islands: the
Population: 4,9 million
Currency: Euro € EUR
Universities: University of  Dublin, National University of Ireland, University of Limerick
State system: unitary, parliamentary republic
Head of state: the President
Power: executive - government (Rialtas na hÉireann) with the Prime Minister (Taoiseach ), legislative - Oireachtas (Parliament - lower house Dáil Éireann and an upper house Seanad Éireann), judicial - courts
Flag: the Irish tricolour (trídhathach na hÉireann)
Anthem: The Soldiers's Song (Amhrán na bhFiann)
Geography: Lough Derg, Lough Allen, Lough Corrib, Wicklow Mountains, Boggeragh Mountains, Nephin Beg Mountains, Shannon Basin, Boyne Valley
Climate: temperate oceanic climate
Highest mountain: Carrauntoohil (Corrán Tauthail) 1041m
Rivers: Shannon, Blackwater, Boyne, Barrow
Sights: Grafton Street in Dublin, Glendalough in County Wicklow, The Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, Kylemore Castle and Abbey in County Galway, Leap Castle in County Offaly

Ireland (Éire), also called the Republic of Ireland (Poblacht na hÉireann), is a country in north-western Europe occupying 26 counties of the island of Ireland. It shares its only land border with Northern Irelnad, a part of the UK. The Irish government has followed a policy of military neutrality and the country is not a member of NATO.
          The legislature, the Oireachtas (Parliament), consists of a lower house, Dáil Éireann, an upper house, Seanad Éireann, and an elected Uachtarán (President) who serves as the non-executive, largely ceremonial, head of state. The executive branch is represented by the Rialtas na hÉireann (Government of Ireland) and the head of government is the Taoiseach (Prime Minister).
          The capital and largest city is Dublin, with 554 thousand people in the city and 1,9 people in the urban area. Around 40% of the country's population lives in the greater Dublin area. Other big cities include Cork, Limerick and Galway.
          Ireland ranks among the top ten wealthiest and most prosperous countries in the world. Its economy grew considerably between 1995 and 2007 and the country became known as the Celtic Tiger. Ireland hosts many multinational firms specialized in technology, for example Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook. The country has significant deposits of gypsum, limestone and metals and exports meat and dairy products.
          The country extends over an area of about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The western pandscape mostly consists of cliffs, hills and mountains. The central lowlands are extensively covered with glacial deposits of clay and sand. The highest mountain is Carrauntoohil with 1038m, located in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in the southwest. The longest river is River Shannon. There are many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays in the west. Ireland is the least forested country in Europe with only about 10% of woodland left. Agriculture accounts for about 64% of the total land area.
          The Atlantic Ocean and the warming ingluence of the Gulf Stream affect weather patterns in Ireland, The climate is temperate oceanic, with mild summers and winters. The far north and west are very windy.
          The island of Ireland became a part of the UK in 1801. During the Great Famine from 1845 to 1849, over a million of people died of starvation and disease and over 1,5 million emigrated. Since 1880, the Irish Parliamentary Party wanted to achieve Home Rule. The Easter Rising in 1916 wanted to establish an independent republic, but it was supressed. The Irish War of Independence was a guerrilla war from 1919 to 1921 against the UK.
          The state was created as the Irish Free State in 1992 as a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It had the status of a dominion until 1937, when a new constitution was adopted. In 1949, Ireland was officially declared a republic, following the Republic of Ireland Act of 1948.
          Ireland has a Gaelic tradition brought by Celtic immigrants. While Irish is considered the national language, English is the dominant language, the state is officially bilingual. Ireland became influenced by British culture since the 12th century invasions and 16th century colonisation. The Irish diaspora is one of the world's largest and most dispersed.
          Ireland has many famous writers, the Irish are considered great story-tellers. Among the most famous are Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Seamus Heaney, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. The country is known for its traditional music and dancing, the best-selling rock band is U2.  Traditional Irish food includes Irish stew, colcannon and champ, boxty, black and white pudding and coddle.