| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is being implemented with some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
: Ireland is a highly developed democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Ireland for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is necessary, but a visa is not required for tourist or business stays of up to three months. Visit the Embassy of Ireland web site ( www.irelandemb.org/
) for the most current visa information, or contact the Embassy at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: 1-202-462-3939, or the nearest Irish consulate in Boston, Chicago, New York or San ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun--Irishman, Irishwoman. Adjective--Irish.
Population (April 2007): 4,339,000.
Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 506,211). Other cities--Cork (119,418), Galway (72,414), Limerick (52,539), Waterford (45,748).
Population breakdown: 0-14 years (21%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%).
Population growth rate (2008 est.): 1.133%.
Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.
Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; Church of Ireland 3%; Presbyterian 0.5%; Methodist 0.25%; ... Read this Article
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Location: Ireland is Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain See Map
Capital: name: Dublin
geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Currency (Code): euro (EUR) ...More
Area: total: 70,280 sq km , land: 68,890 sq km , water: 1,390 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly larger than West Virginia
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m , highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 4,156,119 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 4.6% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
Religion: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)
Languages: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
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| Geographic Info for Ireland : |
Geography
Area: 70,282 sq. km. (27,136 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia.
Terrain: Arable 10%, meadows and pastures 77%, rough grazing in use 11%, inland water 2%.
Climate: Temperate maritime.
People
Nationality: Noun--Irishman, Irishwoman. Adjective--Irish.
Population (April 2007): 4,339,000.
Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 506,211). Other cities--Cork (119,418), Galway (72,414), Limerick (52,539), Waterford (45,748).
Population breakdown: 0-14 years (21%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45 ... Read this Article
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