Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland (Éire in the local Irish) is a country on the western edge of Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain across the Irish Sea. It is part of a group of islands known as the British Isles, though more recently the term Islands of the North Atlantic (IONA) is gaining acceptance.
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| National motto: None | ||||
| Official language | English and Irish | |||
| Capital | Dublin | |||
| President | Mary McAleese | |||
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern | |||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 118th 70,280 km² 2% | |||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 121st
55/km² | |||
| Independence
- Date | From the UK
December 6, 1921 | |||
| Currency | Euro¹, Irish euro coins | |||
| Time zone | UTC 0 | |||
| National anthem | Amhran na bhFiann | |||
| Internet TLD | .IE | |||
| (1) Prior to 1999: Irish Punt | ||||
History
Main article: History of Ireland
Ireland is most closely associated with Celtic culture, which arrived on the island in the 4th century BC. This society of druids was fundamentally changed with the introduction of Christianity by Saint Patrick (in 432 AD according to tradition), which would lead to the many famous Irish monasteries in the heyday of Celtic Christianity.
This peaceful period would end in the 10th century with the invasion of the Vikings, internal warfare and the beginning of the struggle against English overlordship in the 12th century. This long conflict intensified with the arrival of Protestant English and Scottish settlers in Roman Catholic Ireland in the 17th century. In 1800 Ireland became an integral part of the United Kingdom and this century would see the disastrous Irish potato famine, resulting in widespread starvation and emigration, reducing Ireland's population by a quarter.
A failed 1916 Easter Rising touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties as the Irish Free State; six northern counties remained part of Great Britain, creating Northern Ireland. In 1948 the now Republic of Ireland withdrew completely from the British Commonwealth and would join the European Union in 1973.
Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against the violent conflict between paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is currently being implemented.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Ireland
The President of Ireland (the Áras an Uachtaráin, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body.
The prime minister (the Taoiseach) is elected by the Dail (lower house of parliament) as the leader of the political party, or coalition of parties, which wins the most seats in the national elections, held approximately every five years (unless called earlier). Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dail.
The bicameral parliament (the Oireachtas) consists of a Senate (the Seanad Eireann) and a House of Representatives (the Dail Eireann). The Seanad is composed of 60 members; 11 nominated by the prime minister, 6 elected by the national universities, and 43 elected from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. The Senate has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dail, which wields greater power in parliament. The Dail has 166 members popularly elected to a maximum term of 5 years under a complex system of proportional representation.
Judges are appointed by the president on nomination by the government and can be removed from office only for misbehaviour or incapacity and then only by resolution of both houses of parliament. The ultimate court of appeal is the Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice and five other justices. The Supreme Court also can decide upon the constitutionality of legislative acts if the president asks for an opinion.
Counties
Main articles: Counties of Ireland, Provinces of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is subdivided into 26 counties, which can be grouped into the four historic provinces that are descendants of older Irish kingdoms. The counties are the main official administrative subdivisions:
Geography
Main article: Geography of Ireland
The island of Ireland extends over 84,421 km² of which five-sixths belong to the Republic, with the remainder constituting Northern Ireland. It is bound to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by the North Channel. To the east is found the Irish Sea which reconnects to the ocean via the southwest with Saint Georges Channel and the Celtic Sea. The terrain consists mostly of level to rolling interior plains surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains (the highest point being Carrauntoohil at 1,041 m), traversed by rivers such as the Shannon and several large lakes or loughs. Along the western shore the island meets the Atlantic with sea cliffs and many smaller islands.
The local temperate climate is modified by the North Atlantic Current, resulting in mild winters and cool summers. Ireland's maritime clime also means it's consistently humid and the sky is overcast about half the time.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Ireland
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging a robust 9% in 1995-2001. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 38% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and employs 28% of the labour force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business investment.
Over the past decade, the Irish government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, increase labour force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro currency system in January 1999 along with 11 other EU nations. The economy felt the impact of the global economic slowdown in 2001, particularly in the high-tech export sector; the growth rate was cut by nearly half. Growth in 2002 is expected to fall in the 3%-5% range.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Ireland
The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the Anglo-Normans. English is the common language, but Irish Gaelic also is an official language and is taught in the schools, though its use in everday life is mainly limited to areas located along the western seaboard.
Ireland is a predominantly Roman Catholic country (92%), with the Protestant Church of Ireland representing the largest religious minority at 2.5%.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Ireland
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Ireland
- Transportation in Ireland
- Military of Ireland
- Foreign relations of Ireland
- Irish diaspora
- Irish traveller
External Links
- Information on the Irish State - Main governmental portal
- Áras an Uachtaráin - Official presidential site
- Tithe an Oireachtais - Houses of Parliament, official parliamentary site
- Taoiseach - Official prime ministerial site
- Ireland Story - History, geography and current affairs
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