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Coordinates: 53°20.65′N 6°16.05′W / 53.34417°N 6.26750°W / 53.34417; -6.2675053°N 8°W / 53°N 8°W / 53; -8
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{{Short description|Country in north-western Europe}}
{{about|the modern state|the revolutionary republic of 1919–1922|Irish Republic|other uses|Ireland (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the sovereign state||Ireland (disambiguation)}}

{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use Irish English|date=August 2013}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Ireland{{small|{{ref label|nomenclature|a|}}}}<!---Not to be changed without discussion!--->
| conventional_long_name = Ireland{{Efn|name=nomenclature}}<!---Not to be changed without discussion!--->
|native_name = {{native name|ga|Éire}}
| native_name = {{native name|ga|Éire}}
| common_name = Ireland<!--Not visible. Allows the template to get the correct ISO 3166 code etc.--->
|common_name = Ireland
|linking_name = the Republic of Ireland<!--so the template links correctly to "(Topic) of the Republic Ireland" articles-->
| linking_name = the Republic of Ireland<!--so the template links correctly to "(Topic) of the Republic Ireland" articles-->
|area_link = #Geography
| area_link = #Geography
|image_flag = Flag of Ireland.svg
| image_flag = Flag of Ireland.svg
| flag_size = 130
|flag_caption = {{))!}}{{!((}}Flag of Ireland{{!}}Flag
| flag_type = [[Flag of Ireland|Flag]]
|symbol_width = 65px
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Ireland.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of Ireland.svg
| coa_size = 65
|symbol_type = [[Coat of arms of Ireland|Coat of arms]]
| symbol_type = [[Coat of arms of Ireland|Coat of arms]]
|image_map = EU-Ireland.svg
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:EU-Ireland.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Europe}}
|map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the European Union
| map_caption = {{map caption
|subregion_color=green |country=<nowiki>Ireland</nowiki>}}
| location_color = dark green
|image_map2 = Ei-map.svg
| region = Europe
|map2_width = 250px
| region_color = dark grey
|national_anthem = {{lang|ga|"[[Amhrán na bhFiann]]"}}<br>{{raise|0.1em|{{small|"The Soldiers' Song"}}}}<br>{{center|[[File:United States Navy Band - Amhrán na bhFiann.ogg]]}}
| subregion = the [[European Union]]
|languages_type = '''[[#Languages|Official languages]]'''
| subregion_color = light green
|languages ={{flatlist|
| country = <span>Ireland</span><!--Null tags prevent link to [[Ireland]] being generated by template.-->
* [[Irish language|Irish]]
}}
* [[English language|English]]<ref name=lang>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/act/pub/0032/sec0002.html#sec2 |title=Official Languages Act 2003 |publisher=Office of the Attorney-General |accessdate=18 February 2012}}</ref>}}
| map_width = 250px
|languages2_type = '''[[National language]]'''
| national_anthem = <br/>{{lang|ga|[[Amhrán na bhFiann]]|italic=no}}<br />{{raise|0.1em|"The Soldiers' Song"}}<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:United States Navy Band - Amhrán na bhFiann.ogg]]</div>
|languages2 = [[Irish language|Irish]]<ref name=lang/>
<!--Irish is "the first official language" and English "a second official language" – please do not change the order; see reference -->| official_languages = {{hlist|[[Irish language|Irish]]{{Efn|name=national language}}|[[English language|English]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#article8_1 |title=Article 8, Constitution of Ireland |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=Irish Statute Book |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423200419/https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
|languages2_sub = yes
| demonym = [[Irish people|Irish]]
|ethnic_groups_year = 2011<ref name="CIA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/en/census/census2011reports/census2011thisisirelandpart1/ |title=CSO 2011 Census&nbsp;– Volume 5&nbsp;– Ethnic or Cultural Background (including the Irish Traveller Community) |format=PDF |year=2011 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref>
| capital = [[Dublin]]
|ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list |84.5% [[White people|White]] Irish |9.1% Other White |{{nowrap|1.9% Asian{{\}}Asian Irish}} |{{nowrap|1.4% Black{{\}}Black Irish}} |{{nowrap|0.7% White [[Irish Travellers|Irish Traveller]]}} }}
| ethnic_groups_year = 2022<ref>{{cite web | date = 30 May 2023 | title = Population Usually Resident and Present in the State| url=https://data.cso.ie/table/FY023| publisher = Central Statistics Office | access-date = 2 June 2023}}</ref>
|demonym = [[Irish people|Irish]]
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list
|capital = [[Dublin]]
|76.6% [[Irish people#Genetics|White Irish]]
|latd=53 |latm=20.65 |latNS=N |longd=6 |longm=16.05 |longEW=W
|10.8% other [[White people|White]]
|largest_city = capital
|3.3% [[Asian people|Asian]]
|government_type = {{nowrap|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]]}} [[constitutional republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of Ireland|President]]
|1.5% [[Black people in Ireland|Black]]
|1.7% [[Demographics of the Republic of Ireland|other]]
|leader_name1 = [[Michael D. Higgins]]
|6.2% not stated}}
|leader_title2 = [[Taoiseach]]
| religion = {{Tree list}}
|leader_name2 = [[Enda Kenny]]
* 75.7% [[Christianity in Ireland|Christianity]]
|leader_title3 = [[Tánaiste]]
** 69.1% [[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholicism]]
|leader_name3 = [[Joan Burton]]
** 2.5% [[Church of Ireland|Anglicanism]]
|legislature = [[Oireachtas]]
** 4.1% other [[List of Christian denominations|Christian]]
|upper_house = [[Seanad Éireann|Seanad]]
* 14.5% [[Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland|no religion]]
|lower_house = [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]]
* 3.1% [[Religion in the Republic of Ireland|other]]
|accession_EU_date = 1 January 1973
* 6.7% not stated
|area_km2 = 70,273
{{Tree list/end}}
|area_sq_mi = 27,133<!-- Do not remove per WP:MOSNUM -->
| religion_year = 2022<ref name="REL"/>
|area_rank = 120th
| coordinates = {{Coord|53|20.65|N|6|16.05|W|type:city}}{{Coord|53|N|8|W|display=title|scale:10000000}}
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
| largest_city = capital
|percent_water = 2.00
| government_type = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
|population_estimate = {{nowrap|{{increase}} 4,609,600<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2014/#.U_xczvldWSo |title=Population and Migration Estimates |date=26 August 2014 |accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref>}}
| leader_title1 = [[President of Ireland|President]]
|population_estimate_rank =
| leader_name1 = [[Michael D. Higgins]]
|population_estimate_year = 2014
| leader_title2 = [[Taoiseach]]
|population_census = 4,588,252<ref name="pop2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011pdr/Census,2011,Highlights,Part,1,web,72dpi.pdf |title=Census of Population 2011 |format=PDF |date=30 June 2011 |page=9 |accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>
| leader_name2 = [[Simon Harris]]
|population_census_year = 2011
| leader_title3 = [[Tánaiste]]
|population_census_rank = 121st
| leader_name3 = [[Micheál Martin]]
|population_density_km2 = 65.3
| leader_title4 = [[Chief Justice of Ireland|Chief Justice]]
|population_density_sq_mi = 168.8 <!-- Do not remove per WP:MOSNUM -->
| leader_name4 = [[Donal O'Donnell]]
|population_density_rank = 142nd
| legislature = [[Oireachtas]]
|GDP_PPP_year = 2015
| upper_house = [[Seanad Éireann|Seanad]]
|GDP_PPP = $235.850 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2014/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=71&pr.y=13&sy=2015&ey=2015&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=178&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Ireland |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref>
| lower_house = [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]]
|GDP_PPP_rank = 56th
| area_km2 = 70,273
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $48,787<ref name=imf2/>
| area_sq_mi = 27,133<!-- Do not remove per WP:MOSNUM -->
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 11th
| area_rank = 118th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
|GDP_nominal = $252.640 billion<ref name=imf2/>
| percent_water = 2.0%
|GDP_nominal_rank = 42nd
| population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 5,380,300<ref name="Pop.Ireland">{{cite web |title=Population and Migration Estimates, April 2024
|GDP_nominal_year = 2015
|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2024/ |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] - CSO |website=www.cso.ie |date=27 August 2024 |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $52,256<ref name=imf2/>
| population_estimate_year = April 2024
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 14th
| population_estimate_rank = 122nd
|Gini_year = 2011
| population_census = 5,149,139<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Remote work up, Catholic numbers down in Census data |url = https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0530/1386438-cso-census/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530192914/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0530/1386438-cso-census/ |archive-date=30 May 2023 |website=rte.ie}}</ref>
|Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| population_census_year = 2022
|Gini = 29.8
| population_density_km2 = {{#expr: 5380300/70273 round 1}}
|Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income (source: SILC) |url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_di12 |publisher=Eurostat Data Explorer |accessdate=13 August 2013}}</ref>
| population_density_sq_mi = {{#expr: 5380300/27133 round 1}} <!-- Do not remove per WP:MOSNUM -->
|Gini_rank =
| population_density_rank = 113th
|HDI_year = 2013<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $691.904&nbsp;billion<ref name="IMFWEO.IE">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=178,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Ireland) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=www.imf.org |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref>
|HDI_change = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| GDP_PPP_year = 2024
|HDI = 0.899 <!--number only-->
| GDP_PPP_rank = 40th
|HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr14-summary-en.pdf |title=2014 Human Development Report Summary |date=2014 |accessdate=27 July 2014 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme | pages=21–25}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $127,750<ref name="IMFWEO.IE" />
|HDI_rank = 11th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 3rd
|sovereignty_type = [[History of Ireland|Independence]]
| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $560.566&nbsp;billion<ref name="IMFWEO.IE" />
|sovereignty_note = from the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]
| GDP_nominal_year = 2024
|established_event1 = [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|Proclamation]]
| GDP_nominal_rank = 30th
|established_date1 = 24 April 1916
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $103,500<ref name="IMFWEO.IE" />
|established_event2 = [[Irish Declaration of Independence|Declaration]]
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 2nd
|established_date2 = 21 January 1919
| Gini_year = 2022
|established_event3 = [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]
| Gini_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|established_date3 = 6 December 1921
| Gini = 27.9
|established_event4 = [[Constitution of the Irish Free State|1922 Constitution]]
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=3 September 2023}}</ref>
|established_date4 = 6 December 1922
| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
|established_event5 = [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]]
| HDI_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|established_date5 = 11 December 1931
| HDI = 0.950 <!--number only-->
|established_event6 = [[Constitution of Ireland|1937 constitution]]
| HDI_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=13 March 2024|page=288|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref>
|established_date6 = 29 December 1937
| HDI_rank = 7th
|established_event7 = [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948|Republic Act]]
| sovereignty_type = [[History of the Republic of Ireland|Independence]]
|established_date7 = 18 April 1949
| sovereignty_note = from the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]
|established_event8 = [[Accession of Ireland to the European Union|Joined]] [[European Economic Community|EEC]] ([[European Union|EU]])
| established_event1 = [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|Proclamation]]
|established_date8 = 1 January 1973
| established_date1 = 24 April 1916
|currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])<ref group="note">Prior to 2002, Ireland used the [[Irish pound|punt]] (Irish pound) as its circulated currency. The euro was introduced as an accounting currency in 1999.</ref>
| established_event2 = [[Irish Declaration of Independence|Declaration]]
|currency_code = EUR
| established_date2 = 21 January 1919
|time_zone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]/[[Western European Time|WET]]
| established_event3 = {{nowrap|[[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]}}
|utc_offset = &#8203;
| established_date3 = 6 December 1921
|time_zone_DST = [[Time in Ireland|IST]]/[[Western European Summer Time|WEST]]
| established_event4 = [[Constitution of the Irish Free State|1922 constitution]]
|utc_offset_DST = +1
| established_date4 = 6 December 1922
|date_format = dd/mm/yyyy
| established_event5 = [[Constitution of Ireland|1937 constitution]]
|drives_on = [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left]]
| established_date5 = 29 December 1937
|calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|+353]]
| established_event6 = [[The Republic of Ireland Act 1948|Republic Act]]
|cctld = [[.ie]]{{ref label|tld|b|}}
| established_date6 = 18 April 1949
|footnote_a = {{note|nomenclature}} [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html#part2 Article 4] of the [[Constitution of Ireland]] declares that the name of the state is ''Ireland''; [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1948/en/act/pub/0022/sec0002.html#zza22y1948s2 Section 2] of the [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948]] declares that ''Republic of Ireland'' is "the description of the State".<ref name="Coakley2009">{{cite book |author=John Coakley |title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=fzFPQ2pZgd0C&pg=PA76 |accessdate=2 May 2011 |date=20 August 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-47672-0 |page=76}}</ref>
| currency = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]]){{Efn|name=currency}}
|footnote_b = {{note|tld}} The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states.
| currency_code = EUR
}}<!---
| utc_offset = {{sp}}
| time_zone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset_DST = +1
| time_zone_DST = [[Time in the Republic of Ireland|IST]]
| date_format = dd/mm/yyyy
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|+353]]
| cctld = [[.ie]]{{Efn|name=tld}}
}}
<!---Note: The following introductory paragraphs have been subject to LOTS of discussion over the years and consequently are made up of lots of subtle wordings reached through many discussions. Please obtain consensus for any changes you would like to make to them on the talk page first, otherwise any contribution(s) you make here directly are likely to be reverted. For the sake of future editors, please do not remove this note.---->


'''Ireland''' ({{langx|ga|[[Éire]]}} {{IPA-ga|ˈeːɾʲə||Eire_pronunciation.ogg}}), also known as the '''Republic of Ireland''' ({{lang|ga|Poblacht na hÉireann}}),{{Efn|name=nomenclature}} is a country in north-western [[Europe]] consisting of 26 of the 32 [[Counties of Ireland|counties]] of the island of [[Ireland]], with a population of about 5.4&nbsp;million.<ref name="Pop.Ireland"/> The [[capital city|capital]] and largest city is [[Dublin]], on the eastern side of the island, with a population of about 1.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="Pop.Ireland"/> The [[sovereign state]] shares its only land border with [[Northern Ireland]], which is [[Countries of the United Kingdom|part of the United Kingdom]]. It is otherwise surrounded by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], with the [[Celtic Sea]] to the south, [[St George's Channel]] to the south-east and the [[Irish Sea]] to the east. It is a [[Unitary state|unitary]], [[parliamentary republic]].<ref>{{citation|title=Constitutional Law of 15 EU Member States|author1=L. Prakke|author2=C. A. J. M. Kortmann|author3=J. C. E. van den Brandhof|publisher=Kluwer|location=Deventer|page=429|quote=Since 1937 Ireland has been a parliamentary republic, in which ministers appointed by the president depend on the confidence of parliament|year=2004|isbn=9013012558}}</ref> The legislature, the {{lang|ga|[[Oireachtas]]|italic=no}}, consists of a [[lower house]], {{lang|ga|[[Dáil Éireann]]|italic=no}}; an [[upper house]], {{lang|ga|[[Seanad Éireann]]|italic=no}}; and an elected [[President of Ireland|president]] ({{lang|ga|Uachtarán}}) who serves as the largely ceremonial [[head of state]], but with some important powers and duties. The [[head of government]] is the {{lang|ga|[[Taoiseach]]|italic=no}} (prime minister, {{Lit|chief}}), elected by the Dáil and appointed by the president, who appoints other government ministers.
Note: The following introductory paragraphs have been subject to LOTS of discussion over the years and consequently are made up of lots of subtle wordings reached through many discussions. Please obtain consensus for any changes you would like to make to them on the talk page first, otherwise any contribution(s) you make here directly are likely to be reverted.


The [[Irish Free State]] was created with [[Dominion]] status in 1922, following the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]. In 1937, a [[Constitution of Ireland|new constitution]] was adopted, in which the state was named "Ireland" and effectively became a republic, with an elected [[Head of state#Non-executive model|non-executive president]]. It was officially declared a republic in 1949, following [[The Republic of Ireland Act 1948]]. Ireland became a member of the [[United Nations]] in 1955. It joined the [[European Communities]] (EC), the predecessor of the [[European Union]] (EU), in 1973. The state had no formal relations with Northern Ireland for most of the 20th century, but the 1980s and 1990s saw the British and Irish governments working with Northern Irish parties to resolve the conflict that had become known as [[the Troubles]]. Since the signing of the [[Good Friday Agreement]] in 1998, the [[Government of Ireland|Irish government]] and [[Northern Ireland Executive|Northern Irish government]] have co-operated on a number of policy areas under the [[North/South Ministerial Council]] created by the Agreement.
For the sake of future editors, please do not remove this note.


Ireland is a [[developed country]] with a [[quality of life]] that ranks amongst the highest in the world; after [[List of countries by inequality-adjusted Human Development Index|adjustments for inequality]], the 2021 [[Human Development Index]] listing ranked it the sixth-highest in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index#/indicies/IHDI | title=Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index | accessdate = 8 September 2022 }}</ref> It also ranks highly in [[healthcare]], [[List of countries by economic freedom|economic freedom]] and [[Press Freedom Index|freedom of the press]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Human Development Report 2020|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020.pdf|access-date=29 January 2022|publisher=[[Human Development Report|HDRO (Human Development Report Office)]] [[United Nations Development Programme]]|pages=343|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215063955/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Henry|first=Mark|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1276861968|title=In Fact An Optimist's Guide to Ireland at 100.|date=2021|publisher=Gill Books|isbn=978-0-7171-9039-3|location=Dublin|oclc=1276861968|access-date=29 January 2022|archive-date=25 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825190413/https://www.worldcat.org/title/1276861968|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a member of the EU and a founding member of the [[Council of Europe]] and the [[OECD]]. The Irish government has followed a policy of [[Neutral country|military neutrality]] through non-alignment since before [[World War II]], and the country is consequently not a member of [[NATO]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm|title=NATO – Member countries|publisher=NATO|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=24 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924014819/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> although it is a member of [[Partnership for Peace]] and [[Permanent Structured Cooperation#Neutral states|certain aspects of PESCO]]. Ireland's economy is advanced,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland is world's eighth-most 'inclusive' advanced economy |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland-is-world-s-eighth-most-inclusive-advanced-economy-1.3364436 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=15 February 2023}}</ref> with one of Europe's major financial hubs being centred on Dublin. It ranks among the top five wealthiest countries in the world in terms of both [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|GDP]] and [[List of countries by GNI (nominal) per capita|GNI]] per capita.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Comparison: GDP&nbsp;– per capita (PPP) |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Ireland&countryCode=ei&regionCode=eur&rank=27#ei |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=29 August 2011 |archive-date=19 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119060620/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Ireland&countryCode=ei&regionCode=eur&rank=27#ei |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-13/-leprechaun-economics-earn-ireland-ridicule-443-million-bill|title='Leprechaun Economics' Earn Ireland Ridicule, $443 Million Bill|date=13 July 2016|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=1 January 2021|archive-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714155406/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-13/-leprechaun-economics-earn-ireland-ridicule-443-million-bill|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gabriel Zucman |author-link=Gabriel Zucman |last2=Thomas Torslov |last3=Ludvig Wier |date=June 2018 |title=The Missing Profits of Nations |url=http://gabriel-zucman.eu/missingprofits/ |publisher=[[National Bureau of Economic Research]], Working Papers |page=31 |quote=Appendix Table 2: Tax Havens |access-date=1 January 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610071636/http://gabriel-zucman.eu/missingprofits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2018 |title=Ireland is the world's biggest corporate 'tax haven', say academics |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland-is-the-world-s-biggest-corporate-tax-haven-say-academics-1.3528401 |quote=New Gabriel Zucman study claims State shelters more multinational profits than the entire Caribbean |access-date=1 January 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228022815/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland-is-the-world-s-biggest-corporate-tax-haven-say-academics-1.3528401 |url-status=live }}</ref> After joining the EC, the country's government enacted a series of liberal economic policies that helped to boost economic growth between 1995 and 2007, a time now often referred to as the [[Celtic Tiger]] period. A recession and reversal in growth then followed during the [[Great Recession]], which was exacerbated by the bursting of the [[Irish property bubble]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Nicoll |first=Ruaridh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/10/ireland-financial-crisis-emigration |title=Ireland: As the Celtic Tiger roars its last |date=16 May 2009 |work=The Guardian|access-date=30 March 2010 |location=London |archive-date=6 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906140624/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/10/ireland-financial-crisis-emigration |url-status=live }}</ref> The Great Recession lasted until 2014, and was followed by a new period of strong economic growth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/doing-the-maths-how-real-is-irelands-economic-growth-34331206.html|title=Doing the maths: how real is Ireland's economic growth?|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=3 January 2016}}</ref>
---->
'''Ireland''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Ireland.ogg|ˈ|aɪ|ər|l|ə|n|d}}; {{lang-ga|Éire}} {{IPA-ga|ˈeː.ɾʲə||Eire_pronunciation.ogg}}), also known as the '''Republic of Ireland''' ({{lang-ga|Poblacht na hÉireann}}), is a [[sovereign state]] in north western [[Europe]] occupying about five-sixths of the [[Ireland|island of Ireland]]. The capital and largest city is [[Dublin]], located in the eastern part of the island, whose metropolitan area is home to around a third of the country's 4.6 million inhabitants. The state shares its only land border with [[Northern Ireland]], a [[countries of the United Kingdom|part]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. It is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the [[Celtic Sea]] to the south, [[St George's Channel|Saint George's Channel]] to the south east, and the [[Irish Sea]] to the east. It is a [[unitary state|unitary]], [[parliamentary republic]]<ref>{{citation|title=Constitutional Law of 15 EU Member States|author1=L. Prakke|author2=C. A. J. M. Kortmann|author3=J. C. E. van den Brandhof|publisher=Kluwer|location=Deventer|page=429|quote=Since 1937, Ireland has been a parliamentary republic, in which ministers appointed by the president depend on the confidence of parliament|year=2004|isbn=9013012558}}</ref> with an elected [[President of Ireland|president]] serving as [[head of state]]. The [[head of government]], the [[Taoiseach]], is nominated by the [[lower house]] of parliament, [[Dáil Éireann]].

The [[Irish Free State]] was created in 1922 as a result of the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]. It effectively became a republic, with an elected president, under the [[Constitution of Ireland|constitution of 1937]], in which it was named "Ireland". It was officially declared a republic in 1949. Ireland became a member of the [[United Nations]] in December 1955. It joined the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC), predecessor of the [[European Union]], in 1973. The state had no formal relations with Northern Ireland for most of the twentieth century, but during the 1980s and 1990s the British and Irish governments worked with the Northern Ireland parties towards a resolution to the "[[The Troubles|Troubles]]". Since the signing of the [[Good Friday Agreement]] in 1998, the Irish government and Northern Ireland executive have co-operated on a number of policy areas under the [[North-South Ministerial Council]] created by the Agreement.

Ireland ranks among the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Comparison: GDP&nbsp;– per capita (PPP) |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Ireland&countryCode=ei&regionCode=eur&rank=27#ei |work=World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref> After joining the EEC, Ireland enacted a series of [[Economic liberalism|liberal economic policies]] that resulted in rapid economic growth. The country achieved considerable prosperity from 1995 to 2007, during which it became known as the [[Celtic Tiger]]. This was halted by an unprecedented [[Post-2008 Irish economic downturn|financial crisis]] that began in 2008, in conjunction with the concurrent [[Financial crisis of 2007–08|global economic crash]].<ref name="workforall">"EU: Causes of Growth differentials in Europe", WAWFA think tank</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nicoll |first=Ruaridh |url= http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/10/ireland-financial-crisis-emigration |title=Ireland: As the Celtic Tiger roars its last |date=16 May 2009 |work=The Guardian|accessdate=30 March 2010|location=London}}</ref>

In 2011 and 2013, Ireland was ranked as the seventh-most developed country in the world by the United Nations [[Human Development Index]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Table1.pdf |title=Table 1 |author=United Nations |year=2011 |work=Human Development Index and its components |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |accessdate=26 November 2011}}</ref> It also performs well in several metrics of national performance, including [[Press Freedom Index|freedom of the press]], [[List of countries by economic freedom|economic freedom]] and [[Freedom in the World|civil liberties]]. Ireland is a member of the [[European Union]] and is a founding member of the [[Council of Europe]] and the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]]. The Irish constitution binds the country to a policy of [[Neutrality (international relations)|neutrality]] through non-alignment and the country is consequently not a member of [[NATO]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm|title=NATO - Member countries|publisher=NATO|work=NATO|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> although it does participate in [[Partnership for Peace]].


==Name==
==Name==
{{main|Names of the Irish state}}
{{Main|Names of the Irish state}}
The Irish name for Ireland is {{lang|ga|[[Éire]]}}, deriving from {{lang|ga|[[Ériu]]}}, a goddess in Irish mythology.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 August 2021|title=Where does the name Ireland come from?|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/where-does-the-name-ireland-come-from|access-date=13 September 2021|website=IrishCentral.com|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902070224/https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/where-does-the-name-ireland-come-from|url-status=live}}</ref> The state created in 1922, comprising 26 of the 32 [[counties of Ireland]], was "styled and known as the Irish Free State" ({{lang|ga|Saorstát Éireann}}).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coleman|first1=Marie|title=The Irish Revolution, 1916–1923|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1317801467|page=230|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BeMkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT230|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209160642/https://books.google.com/books?id=BeMkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT230|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Ireland]], adopted in 1937, says that "the name of the State is ''Éire'', or, in the English language, Ireland". Section 2 of the [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948]] states, "It is hereby declared that the description of the State shall be the Republic of Ireland." The 1948 Act does not ''name'' the state "Republic of Ireland", because to have done so would have put it in conflict with the Constitution.<ref>Gallagher, Michael, "The changing constitution", in {{cite book|editor1-last=Gallagher|editor1-first=Michael|editor2-last=Coakley|editor2-first=John|title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland|date=2010|publisher=0415476712|isbn=978-0415476713|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g84ajJ-1Yi4C&pg=PA76|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209160637/https://books.google.com/books?id=g84ajJ-1Yi4C&pg=PA76|url-status=live}}</ref>


The government of the United Kingdom used the name "Eire" (without the [[diacritic]]) and, from 1949, "Republic of Ireland", for the state.<ref>Oliver, J.D.B., ''What's in a Name'', in {{cite book|editor1-last=Tiley|editor1-first=John|title=Studies in the History of Tax Law|date=2004|publisher=Hart Publishing|isbn=1841134732|pages=181–3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f9FGwkXiIS0C&pg=PA181|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101034152/https://books.google.com/books?id=f9FGwkXiIS0C&pg=PA181|url-status=live}} Note: the author uses "Éire", with the diacritic.</ref> It was not until the 1998 [[Good Friday Agreement]], when the state dropped its [[Ireland–United Kingdom relations#Articles 2 and 3 and the name Ireland|claim to Northern Ireland]], that it began calling the state "Ireland".<ref>Oliver (2004), p. 178; Daly (2007), p. 80</ref><ref name="Daly 2007">{{cite journal | last=Daly | first=Mary E. | title=The Irish Free State/Éire/Republic of Ireland/Ireland: "A Country by Any Other Name"? | journal=Journal of British Studies | volume=46 | issue=1 | date=2007 | issn=0021-9371 | doi=10.1086/508399 | pages=72–90}}</ref>
The 1922 state, comprising 26 of the 32 [[counties of Ireland]], was "styled and known as the Irish Free State."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coleman|first1=Marie|title=The Irish Revolution, 1916-1923|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=1317801466|page=230|url=https://books.google.ie/books?id=BeMkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT230#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Ireland]], adopted in 1937, provides that "the name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland". Article 2 of the [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948]] states, "It is hereby declared that the description of the State shall be the Republic of Ireland." The 1948 Act does not ''name'' the state as "Republic of Ireland", because to have done so would have put it in conflict with the Constitution.<ref>Gallagher, Michael, "The changing constitution", in {{cite book|editor1-last=Gallagher|editor1-first=Michael|editor2-last=Coakley|editor2-first=John|title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland|date=2010|publisher=0415476712|isbn=0415476712|url=https://books.google.ie/books?id=g84ajJ-1Yi4C&pg=PA76#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref>


The state is also informally called "the Republic", "Southern Ireland" or "the South";<ref>{{cite book|last1=Acciano|first1=Reuben|title=Western Europe|date=2005|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=1740599276|page=616|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Enrkj9PsKGwC&pg=PA616|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209160641/https://books.google.com/books?id=Enrkj9PsKGwC&pg=PA616|url-status=live}}</ref> especially when distinguishing the state from the island or when discussing [[Northern Ireland]] ("the North"). [[Irish republicans]] reserve the name "Ireland" for the whole island<ref name="Daly 2007"/> and often refer to the state as "the Free State", "the 26 Counties",<ref name="Daly 2007"/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=M.L.R|title=Fighting for Ireland?: The Military Strategy of the Irish Republican Movement|date=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=1134713975|page=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EH-FAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA2|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209160637/https://books.google.com/books?id=EH-FAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA2|url-status=live}}</ref> or "the South of Ireland".<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGreevy |first1=Ronan |title=Why Sinn Féin will not call the State by its name |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/why-sinn-fein-will-not-call-the-state-by-its-name-1.4182195 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 August 2022 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825190413/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/why-sinn-fein-will-not-call-the-state-by-its-name-1.4182195 |url-status=live }}</ref> This is a "response to the [[Partitionism|partitionist]] view [...] that Ireland stops at the border".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dáil Éireann debate – Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill, 1999 |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2000-04-13/speech/74/ |publisher=[[Oireachtas]] |date=13 April 2000 |access-date=24 August 2022 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825190418/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2000-04-13/5/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The government of the United Kingdom used the name "Eire" (without the [[diacritic]]), and, from 1949, "Republic of Ireland", for the state,<ref>Oliver, J.D.B., ''What's in a Name'', in {{cite book|editor1-last=Tiley|editor1-first=John|title=Studies in the History of Tax Law|date=2004|publisher=Hart Publishing|isbn=1841134732|pages=181–3|url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=f9FGwkXiIS0C&pg=PA181#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=12 February 2015}} Note: the author incorrectly uses "Éire", with the diacritic</ref> it was not until the 1998 [[Good Friday Agreement]] that it used the name "Ireland".<ref>Oliver (2004), p. 178; Daly (2007), p. 80</ref>

As well as "Ireland", "Éire" or "the Republic of Ireland", the state is also referred to as "the Republic", "Southern Ireland" or "the South".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Acciano|first1=Reuben|title=Western Europe|date=2005|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=1740599276|page=616|url=https://books.google.ie/books?id=Enrkj9PsKGwC&pg=PA616#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref> In an [[Irish republican]] context it is often referred to as "the Free State" or "the 26 Counties".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=M.L.R|title=Fighting for Ireland?: The Military Strategy of the Irish Republican Movement|date=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=1134713975|page=2|url=https://books.google.ie/books?id=EH-FAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{refimprove section|date=April 2015}}
{{main|History of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{For|the history of the entire island|History of Ireland}}
{{For|the history of the entire island|History of Ireland|}}


===Home-rule movement===
===Home-rule movement===
{{Main|Irish Home Rule movement}}
From the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]] on 1 January 1801 until 6 December 1922, the island of Ireland was part of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]. During the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]], from 1845 to 1849, the island's population of over 8 million fell by 30%. One million Irish died of starvation and/or disease and another 1.5 million emigrated, particularly to the United States.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mokyr|first = Joel|authorlink = Joel Mokyr|title = New Developments in Irish Population History 1700–1850|journal = Irish Economic and Social History|volume = xi|pages = 101–121|year= 1984|ref=harv}}</ref> This set the pattern of emigration for the century to come, resulting in a constant population decline up to the 1960s.
[[File:Charles Stewart Parnell at meeting.jpg|thumb|right|[[Charles Stewart Parnell]] (1846–1891) addressing a meeting. The [[Irish Parliamentary Party]] was formed in 1882 by Parnell.]]


From the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]] on 1 January 1801, until 6 December 1922, the island of Ireland was part of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]]. During the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]], from 1845 to 1849, the island's population of over 8&nbsp;million fell by 30%. One million Irish died of starvation and disease and another 1.5&nbsp;million emigrated, mostly to the United States.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mokyr |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Mokyr |title=New Developments in Irish Population History 1700–1850 |journal=Irish Economic and Social History |volume=XI |pages=101–121 |year=1984 |hdl=10197/1406 |url=http://researchrepository.ucd.ie/bitstream/10197/1406/1/wp83_17.pdf |access-date=19 September 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924160733/https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/bitstream/10197/1406/1/wp83_17.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This set the pattern of emigration for the century to come, resulting in constant population decline up to the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://census.ie/in-history/population-of-ireland-1841-2006/ | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]] | title = Population of Ireland 1841–2011 | access-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180906195419/http://census.ie/in-history/population-of-ireland-1841-2006/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/famine/demographics_pre.html | publisher = Wesleyjohnston.com | first1 = Wesley | last1 = Johnston | first2 = Patrick | last2 = Abbot | title = Prelude to the Irish Famine – Demographics | access-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-date = 7 July 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190707111107/http://wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/famine/demographics_pre.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/population/2017/Chapter_1_Population_change_and_historical_perspective.pdf |title = Population Change and Historical Perspective |access-date = 6 September 2018 |publisher = CSO |archive-date = 17 April 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190417022844/https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/population/2017/Chapter_1_Population_change_and_historical_perspective.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
[[File:Charles Stewart Parnell - Brady-Handy.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The [[Irish Parliamentary Party]] was formed in 1882 by [[Charles Stewart Parnell]] (1846–1891).]]


From 1874, particularly under [[Charles Stewart Parnell]] from 1880, the [[Irish Parliamentary Party]] moved to prominence through widespread agrarian agitation, via the [[Irish Land League]], that won improved tenant [[land reforms]] in the form of the [[Irish Land Acts]], and with its attempts to achieve [[Irish Home Rule Movement|Home Rule]], via two unsuccessful Bills which would have granted Ireland limited national autonomy. These led to the "grass-roots" control of national affairs under the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898|Local Government Act 1898]] previously in the hands of landlord-dominated [[grand juries]] of the [[Protestant Ascendancy]].
From 1874, and particularly under [[Charles Stewart Parnell]] from 1880, the [[Irish Parliamentary Party]] gained prominence. This was firstly through widespread agrarian agitation via the [[Irish Land League]], which won [[land reforms]] for tenants in the form of the [[Irish Land Acts]], and secondly through its attempts to achieve [[Irish Home Rule Movement|Home Rule]], via two unsuccessful bills which would have granted Ireland limited national autonomy. These led to "grass-roots" control of national affairs, under the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898|Local Government Act 1898]], that had been in the hands of landlord-dominated [[grand juries]] of the [[Protestant Ascendancy]].


Home Rule seemed certain when the [[Parliament Act 1911]] abolished the veto of the [[House of Lords]], and [[John Redmond]] secured the Third [[Home Rule Act 1914]]. However, the [[Unionism in Ireland|Unionist movement]] had been growing since 1886 among Irish Protestants after the introduction of the first home rule bill, fearing discrimination and loss of economic and social privileges if [[Irish Catholics]] achieved real political power. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century unionism was particularly strong in parts of [[Ulster]], where industrialisation was more common in contrast to the more agrarian rest of the island. It was feared that any tariff barriers would heavily affect that region. In addition, the Protestant population was more prominent in Ulster, with a majority in four counties. Under the leadership of the Dublin-born [[Edward Carson, Baron Carson|Sir Edward Carson]] of the [[Irish Unionist Party]] and the northerner [[James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon|Sir James Craig]] of the [[Ulster Unionist Party]], unionists became [[Ulster Volunteers|strongly militant]] in order to oppose ''the Coercion of Ulster''. After the Home Rule Bill passed parliament in May 1914, to avoid rebellion with Ulster, the British Prime Minister [[H. H. Asquith]] introduced an [[Irish Parliamentary Party#Home Rule succeeds|Amending Bill]] reluctantly conceded to by the Irish Party leadership. This provided for the temporary exclusion of Ulster from the workings of the bill for a trial period of six years, with an as yet undecided new set of measures to be introduced for the area to be temporarily excluded.
Home Rule seemed certain when the [[Parliament Act 1911]] abolished the veto of the [[House of Lords]], and [[John Redmond]] secured the [[Home Rule Act 1914|Third Home Rule Act]] in 1914. However, the [[Unionism in Ireland|Unionist movement]] had been growing since 1886 among Irish Protestants after the introduction of the first home rule bill, fearing discrimination and loss of economic and social privileges if [[Irish Catholics]] achieved real political power. In the late 19th and early 20th-century unionism was particularly strong in parts of [[Ulster]], where industrialisation was more common in contrast to the more agrarian rest of the island, and where the Protestant population was more prominent, with a majority in four counties.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A History of Ulster |last=Bardon |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Bardon |year=1992 |publisher=Blackstaff Press |isbn=0856404985 |pages=402, 405}}</ref> Under the leadership of the Dublin-born [[Edward Carson|Sir Edward Carson]] of the [[Irish Unionist Party]] and the Ulsterman [[James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon|Sir James Craig]] of the [[Ulster Unionist Party]], unionists became strongly militant, forming [[Ulster Volunteers]] in order to oppose "the Coercion of Ulster".<ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zWgfwHuOCHYC&q=%22the+Coercion+of+Ulster%22+craig&pg=PA128 | title = Ireland in the 20th Century | last = Coogan | first = Tim Pat | date = 2009 | publisher = Random House | pages = 127–128 | isbn = 9781407097213 | access-date = 19 November 2020 | archive-date = 5 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210705090337/https://books.google.com/books?id=zWgfwHuOCHYC&q&pg=PA128 | url-status = live }}</ref> After the Home Rule Bill passed parliament in May 1914, to avoid rebellion with Ulster, the British Prime Minister [[H. H. Asquith]] introduced an [[Irish Parliamentary Party#Home Rule succeeds|Amending Bill]] reluctantly conceded to by the Irish Party leadership. This provided for the temporary exclusion of Ulster from the workings of the bill for a trial period of six years, with an as yet undecided new set of measures to be introduced for the area to be temporarily excluded.


===Revolution and steps to independence===
===Revolution and steps to independence===
[[File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg|thumb|Damage in Dublin city centre following the 1916 [[Easter Rising]]]]
[[File:Easter Proclamation of 1916.png|thumb|upright|right|[[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|Easter Proclamation]], 1916]]
Though it received the [[Royal Assent]] and was placed on the statute books in 1914, the implementation of the [[Home Rule Act 1914|Third Home Rule Act]] was suspended until after the [[World War I|First World War]]. For the prior reasons of ensuring the implementation of the Act at the end of the war, Redmond and his Irish [[National Volunteers]] supported Britain, with 175,000 joining [[Irish regiment]]s of the [[10th (Irish) Division (United Kingdom)|10th (Irish)]], [[16th (Irish) Division (United Kingdom)|16th (Irish)]], while Unionists joined the [[36th (Ulster) Division|36th (Ulster)]] divisions of the [[Kitchener's Army|New British Army]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Irish Soldiers in the First World War |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/History_of_Government/1916_Commemorations/Irish_Soldiers_in_the_First_World_War.html |work=1916 Commemorations |publisher=Department of the Taoiseach |accessdate=29 August 2011 |year=2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>


Though it received the [[Royal Assent]] and was placed on the statute books in 1914, the implementation of the [[Home Rule Act 1914|Third Home Rule Act]] was suspended until after the [[World War I|First World War]] which defused the threat of civil war in Ireland. With the hope of ensuring the implementation of the Act at the end of the war through [[Ireland and World War I|Ireland's engagement in the war]], Redmond and the Irish [[National Volunteers]] supported the UK and its [[Allies of World War I|Allies]]. 175,000 men joined [[Irish regiment]]s of the [[10th (Irish) Division (United Kingdom)|10th (Irish)]] and [[16th (Irish) Division|16th (Irish)]] divisions of the [[Kitchener's Army|New British Army]], while Unionists joined the [[36th (Ulster) Division|36th (Ulster)]] divisions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Irish Soldiers in the First World War |url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/History_of_Government/1916_Commemorations/Irish_Soldiers_in_the_First_World_War.html |work=1916 Commemorations |publisher=Department of the Taoiseach |access-date=29 August 2011 |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810192700/http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Taoiseach_and_Government/History_of_Government/1916_Commemorations/Irish_Soldiers_in_the_First_World_War.html |archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref>
The core of the [[Irish Volunteers]], who opposed any support of Britain, together with the [[Irish Citizen Army]] launched an armed insurrection against British Rule in the 1916 [[Easter Rising]]. This commenced on 24 April 1916 with the declaration of independence. After a week of heavy fighting, primarily in Dublin, the surviving rebels were forced to surrender their positions. The majority were imprisoned but fifteen of the prisoners (including most of the leaders) were executed as traitors to Britain. This included [[Patrick Pearse]], the man recognised as Ireland's first President and founding father of the modern Irish nation, as well as [[James Connolly]], socialist and founder of the [[Industrial Workers of the World]] union, and both the Irish and Scottish Labour movements, who was General during the rising and wounded. This event had a profound effect on public opinion in Ireland.


The remainder of the [[Irish Volunteers]], who refused Redmond and opposed any support of the UK, launched an armed insurrection against British rule in the 1916 [[Easter Rising]], together with the [[Irish Citizen Army]]. This commenced on 24 April 1916 with the [[Irish Declaration of Independence|declaration of independence]]. After a week of heavy fighting, primarily in Dublin, the surviving rebels were forced to surrender their positions. The majority were imprisoned, with fifteen of the prisoners (including most of the leaders) were executed as traitors to the UK. This included [[Patrick Pearse]], the spokesman for the rising and who provided the signal to the volunteers to start the rising, as well as [[James Connolly]], socialist and founder of the [[Industrial Workers of the World]] union and both the Irish and Scottish Labour movements. These events, together with the [[Conscription Crisis of 1918]], had a profound effect on changing public opinion in Ireland against the British Government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/283/1/The_Hay_Plan__Conscription_In_Ireland_During_WW1_Introduction.html |title=The Hay Plan & Conscription in Ireland During WW1 |last1=Hennessy |first1=Dave |publisher=Waterford County Museum |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225080831/http://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/283/1/The_Hay_Plan__Conscription_In_Ireland_During_WW1_Introduction.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 1919, after the December [[Irish general election, 1918|1918 general election]], 73 of Ireland's 106 [[Member of Parliament|MPs]] elected were [[History of Sinn Féin|Sinn Féin]] members who refused to take their seats in the [[British House of Commons]]. Instead, they set up an Irish parliament called [[Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic)|Dáil Éireann]]. [[First Dáil|This Dáil]] in January 1919 issued a [[Declaration of independence|Declaration of Independence]] and proclaimed an [[Irish Republic]]. The Declaration was mainly a restatement of the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|1916 Proclamation]] with the additional provision that Ireland was no longer a part of the United Kingdom. The new Irish Republic was recognised internationally only by the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian Soviet Republic]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Desmond|last=Fennell|title=Heresy: the Battle of Ideas in Modern Ireland|publisher=Blackstaff Press|location= Belfast|year=1993|isbn=0-85640-513-2|page=33|quote=Both the new Irish Republic and the labour movement were sympathetic to the new soviet regime in Russia. The government of the Soviet Union recognised the Republic, and the Dáil authorised the establishment of diplomatic relations.}}</ref> The Republic's [[Aireacht]] (ministry) sent a delegation under [[Ceann Comhairle]] [[Seán T. O'Kelly]] to the [[Paris Peace Conference, 1919|Paris Peace Conference]] of 1919, but it was not admitted.
[[File:Dáil Chamber.jpg|thumb|left|In 1922 a new parliament called the [[Oireachtas of the Irish Free State|Oireachtas]] was established, of which [[Dáil Éireann]] became the [[lower house]].]]


In January 1919, after the December [[1918 Irish general election|1918 general election]], 73 of Ireland's 105 [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) elected were [[History of Sinn Féin|Sinn Féin]] members who were elected on a platform of [[abstentionism]] from the [[British House of Commons]]. In January 1919, they set up an Irish parliament called [[Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic)|Dáil Éireann]]. This [[first Dáil]] issued a [[declaration of independence]] and proclaimed an [[Irish Republic]]. The declaration was mainly a restatement of the [[Proclamation of the Irish Republic|1916 Proclamation]] with the additional provision that Ireland was no longer a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Republic's [[Ministry of Dáil Éireann]] sent a delegation under {{lang|ga|[[Ceann Comhairle]]|italic=no}} (Head of Council, or Speaker, of the Daíl) [[Seán T. O'Kelly]] to the [[Paris Peace Conference, 1919|Paris Peace Conference]] of 1919, but it was not admitted.
After the [[Irish War of Independence|War of Independence]] and truce called in July 1921, representatives of the [[Her Majesty's Government|British government]] and the Irish treaty delegates, led by [[Arthur Griffith]], [[Robert Barton]] and [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty in London from 11 October to 6 December 1921. The Irish delegates set up headquarters at [[Hans Place]] in [[Knightsbridge]] and it was here in private discussions that the decision was taken on 5 December to recommend the Treaty to Dáil Éireann.
The Second [[Second Dáil|Dáil Éireann]] [[Anglo-Irish Treaty Dáil vote|narrowly ratified]] the Treaty.


[[File:Leinster_House_-_1911.jpg|thumb|[[Leinster House]], Dublin. In 1922 a new parliament called the [[Oireachtas of the Irish Free State|Oireachtas]] was established, of which [[Dáil Éireann]] became the [[lower house]].]]
In accordance with the Treaty, on 6 December 1922 the entire island of Ireland became a self-governing [[Dominion]] called the [[Irish Free State]] (''Saorstát Éireann''). Under the [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]], the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] had the option to leave the Irish Free State exactly one month later and return to the United Kingdom. During the intervening period, the powers of the [[Parliament of the Irish Free State]] and [[Executive Council of the Irish Free State]] did not extend to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland exercised its right under the Treaty to leave the new Dominion and rejoined the United Kingdom on 8 December 1922. It did so by making an address to the King requesting, "that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland."<ref name=ahds1922>{{cite web|url=http://stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1145#bak-2-1149 |title=Northern Ireland Parliamentary Report, 7&nbsp;December 1922 |publisher=Stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk |date=7 December 1922 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> The Irish Free State was a [[constitutional monarchy]] sharing a monarch with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]]. The country had a [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State|governor-general]] (representing the monarch), a [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] parliament, a cabinet called the "Executive Council", and a prime minister called the [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State|President of the Executive Council]].

After the [[Irish War of Independence|War of Independence]] and truce called in July 1921, representatives of the [[British government]] and the five Irish treaty delegates, led by [[Arthur Griffith]], [[Robert Barton]] and [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], negotiated the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] in London from 11 October to 6 December 1921. The Irish delegates set up headquarters at [[Hans Place]] in [[Knightsbridge]], and it was here in private discussions that the decision was taken on 5 December to recommend the treaty to Dáil Éireann. On 7 January 1922, the [[Second Dáil]] [[Anglo-Irish Treaty Dáil vote|ratified]] the Treaty by 64 votes to 57.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-01-07/2/|website = [[Oireachtas]]|title = Dáil Éireann debates, 7 January 1922: Debate on Treaty|access-date = 28 September 2019|archive-date = 28 September 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190928094536/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1922-01-07/2/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In accordance with the treaty, on 6 December 1922 the entire island of Ireland became a self-governing [[Dominion]] called the Irish Free State (''Saorstát Éireann''). Under the [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]], the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] had the option to leave the Irish Free State one month later and return to the United Kingdom. During the intervening period, the powers of the [[Parliament of the Irish Free State]] and [[Executive Council of the Irish Free State]] did not extend to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland exercised its right under the treaty to leave the new Dominion and rejoined the United Kingdom on 8 December 1922. It did so by making an address to the King requesting, "that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1145#bak-2-1149 |title=Northern Ireland Parliamentary Report, 7&nbsp;December 1922 |publisher=Stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk |date=7 December 1922 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415143605/http://stormontpapers.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1145#bak-2-1149 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Irish Free State was a [[constitutional monarchy]] [[personal union|sharing a monarch]] with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]]. The country had a [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State|governor-general]] (representing the monarch), a [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] parliament, a cabinet called the "Executive Council", and a prime minister called the [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State|President of the Executive Council]].


===Irish Civil War===
===Irish Civil War===
{{Main|Irish Civil War}}
[[File:Éamon de Valera.jpg|upright|thumb|upright|right|[[Éamon de Valera]] (1882–1975)]]
[[File:The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg|thumb|right|[[Éamon de Valera]], Irish political leader, pictured outside Ennis Courthouse in 1917. He would later be involved in introducing the 1937 [[Constitution of Ireland]].]]
The [[Irish Civil War]] was the consequence of the creation of the Irish Free State. Anti-Treaty forces, led by [[Éamon de Valera]], objected to the fact that acceptance of the Treaty ''abolished'' the [[Irish Republic]] of 1919 to which they had sworn loyalty, arguing in the face of public support for the settlement that the "people have no right to do wrong". They objected most to the fact that the state would remain part of the [[British Empire]] and that members of the [[Oireachtas of the Irish Free State|Free State Parliament]] would have to swear, what the Anti-Treaty side saw as, an oath of fidelity to the British King. Pro-Treaty forces, led by [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], argued that the Treaty gave "not the ultimate freedom that all nations aspire to and develop, but the freedom to achieve it".

The Irish Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923) was the consequence of the ratification of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199846719/obo-9780199846719-0149.xml | publisher = Oxford University Press | website = oxfordbibliographies | title = Literature of the Irish Civil War | date = 25 October 2018 | accessdate = 27 April 2021 | doi = 10.1093/OBO/9780199846719-0149 | last1 = Ward | first1 = Brian | archive-date = 27 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427164828/https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199846719/obo-9780199846719-0149.xml | url-status = live }}</ref> Anti-treaty forces, led by [[Éamon de Valera]], objected to the fact that acceptance of the treaty abolished the [[Irish Republic]] of 1919 to which they had sworn loyalty, arguing in the face of public support for the settlement that the "people have no right to do wrong".<ref>{{cite book |title=De Valera: Long Fellow, Long Shadow |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5CFlCwAAQBAJ&q=de+valera+%22people+have+no+right+to+do+wrong%22&pg=PT499 |chapter=21 de Valera Stands Tall |first=Tim Pat |author-link=Tim Pat Coogan |year=1993 |last=Coogan | publisher=Head of Zeus |isbn=9781784975371 |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320174331/https://books.google.com/books?id=5CFlCwAAQBAJ&q=de+valera+%22people+have+no+right+to+do+wrong%22&pg=PT499 |url-status=live }}</ref> They objected most to the fact that the state would remain part of the [[British Empire]] and that members of the [[Oireachtas of the Irish Free State|Free State Parliament]] would have to swear what the anti-treaty side saw as an oath of fidelity to the British king. Pro-treaty forces, led by [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], argued that the treaty gave "not the ultimate freedom that all nations aspire to and develop, but the freedom to achieve it".<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 July 2011 |publisher=[[Dáil Éireann]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721130127/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/DT/D.T.192112190002.html |url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/DT/D.T.192112190002.html |title=Dáil Éireann – Volume T – 19 December, 1921 (Debate on Treaty)}}</ref>

At the start of the war, the [[Irish Republican Army (1919–1922)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) split into two opposing camps: a pro-treaty IRA and an [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|anti-treaty IRA]]. The pro-treaty IRA disbanded and joined the new [[National Army (Ireland)|National Army]]. However, because the anti-treaty IRA lacked an effective command structure and because of the pro-treaty forces' defensive tactics throughout the war, Michael Collins and his pro-treaty forces were able to build up an army with many tens of thousands of World War I veterans from the 1922 disbanded [[Irish regiments#Irish regiments of the British Army|Irish regiments]] of the British Army, capable of overwhelming the anti-treatyists. British supplies of artillery, aircraft, machine-guns and ammunition boosted pro-treaty forces, and the threat of a return of Crown forces to the Free State removed any doubts about the necessity of enforcing the treaty. Lack of public support for the anti-treaty forces (often called the Irregulars) and the determination of the government to overcome the Irregulars contributed significantly to their defeat.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}


===Constitution of Ireland 1937===
At the start of the war, the [[Irish Republican Army (1917–22)|Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) split into two opposing camps: a pro-treaty IRA and an [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|anti-treaty IRA]]. The pro-Treaty IRA disbanded and joined the new [[National Army (Ireland)|National Army]]. However, through the lack of an effective command structure in the anti-Treaty IRA, and their defensive tactics throughout the war, Michael Collins and his pro-treaty forces were able to build up an army with many tens of thousands of World War I veterans from the 1922 disbanded [[Irish regiments#Irish regiments of the British Army|Irish regiment]]s of the British Army, capable of overwhelming the anti-Treatyists. British supplies of artillery, aircraft, machine-guns and ammunition boosted pro-treaty forces, and the threat of a return of Crown forces to the Free State removed any doubts about the necessity of enforcing the treaty. The lack of public support for the anti-treaty forces (often called the ''Irregulars'') and the determination of the government to overcome the Irregulars contributed significantly to their defeat.
[[File:IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2.jpg|thumb|[[Constitution of the Irish Free State|The Constitution Committee meeting]] at the [[Shelbourne Hotel]], Dublin.]]


Following a national plebiscite in July 1937, the new [[Constitution of Ireland]] (''Bunreacht na hÉireann'') [[adoption of the Constitution of Ireland|came into force]] on 29 December 1937.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html | publisher = Irish Statute Book | title = Constitution of Ireland, 1 July, 1937 | access-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-date = 3 May 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190503055502/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html | url-status = live }}</ref> This replaced the [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]] and declared that the name of the state is {{lang|ga|Éire}}, or "Ireland" in the English language.<ref>T. Garvin, ''1922: the birth of Irish democracy'', Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 2005.<br />{{cite book |title=The Irish Civil War 1922–23 |first=Peter |last=Cottrell |page=85 |isbn=978-1-84603-270-7 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2008 |quote=Irish voters approved a new constitution, ''Bunreacht na hÉireann'', in 1937 renaming the country Éire or simply Ireland.}}<br />{{cite web |title=Guide to Irish Law |first=Darius |last=Whelan |date=June 2005 |url=http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Ireland.htm |access-date=11 September 2009 |quote=This Constitution, which remains in force today, renamed the state ''Ireland'' (Article 4) and established four main institutions&nbsp;– the President, the Oireachtas (Parliament), the Government and the Courts. |archive-date=5 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905133724/http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Ireland.htm |url-status=live }}<br />John T. Koch, Celtic culture: a historical encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, 2006.</ref> While [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland|Articles 2 and 3]] of the Constitution defined the national territory to be the whole island, they also confined the state's jurisdiction to the area that had been the Irish Free State. The former Irish Free State government had abolished the Office of [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State|Governor-General]] in December 1936. Although the constitution established the office of [[President of Ireland]], the question over whether Ireland was a republic remained open. Diplomats were accredited to the king, but the president exercised all internal functions of a head of state.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Daly |first=Mary E. |author-link=Mary E. Daly |date=January 2007|title=The Irish Free State/Éire/Republic of Ireland/Ireland: "A Country by Any Other Name"?|journal=Journal of British Studies|volume=46|issue=1|pages=72–90|doi=10.1086/508399|jstor=10.1086/508399|quote=After the enactment of the 1936 External Relations Act and the 1937 Constitution, Ireland's only remaining link with the crown had been the accreditation of diplomats. The president of Ireland was the head of state. When opposition deputies asked de Valera whether Ireland was a republic—a favorite pastime in the mid-1940s—he tended to resort to dictionary definitions showing that Ireland had all the attributes of a republic.|doi-access=free |issn = 0021-9371 }}</ref> For instance, the President gave assent to new laws with his own authority, without reference to King [[George VI]] who was only an "organ", that was provided for by statute law.
===1937 Constitution===
Following a [[Irish constitutional referendum, 1937|national referendum]], on 29 December 1937 the new [[Constitution of Ireland]] (''Bunreacht na hÉireann'') came into force. This replaced the [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]] and called the state ''Ireland'', or ''Éire'' in Irish.<ref name="1937rename">T. Garvin, ''1922: the birth of Irish democracy'', Gill & Macmillan: Dublin, 2005. <br/>{{cite book |title=The Irish Civil War 1922–23 |author=Peter Cottrell |page=85 |isbn=978-1-84603-270-7 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2008 |quote=Irish voters approved a new constitution, ''Bunreacht na hÉireann'', in 1937 renaming the country Éire or simply Ireland.}} <br />{{cite web |title=Guide to Irish Law |author=Dr. Darius Whelan |date=June 2005 |url=http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Ireland.htm |accessdate=11 September 2009 |quote=This Constitution, which remains in force today, renamed the State ''Ireland'' (Article 4) and established four main institutions&nbsp;– the President, the Oireachtas (Parliament), the Government and the Courts.}} <br/>John T. Koch, Celtic culture: a historical encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, 2006.</ref> [[Articles 2 and 3]] of the Constitution asserted a nominal territorial claim over the whole island, considering the [[partition of Ireland]] under the 1922 [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] illegitimate. The former Irish Free State government had taken steps to formally abolish the Office of [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State|Governor-General]] some months before the new Constitution came into force.<ref>and the Governor-General's office was finally abolished under the Executive Powers (Consequential Provisions) Act, 1937 with effect from December 1936</ref> Although the Constitution established the office of [[President of Ireland]], the question over whether Ireland was a republic remained open. Diplomats were accredited to the King, but the President exercised the internal functions of a Head of State.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Mary E. Daly|date=January 2007|title=The Irish Free State/Éire/Republic of Ireland/Ireland: "A Country by Any Other Name"?|journal=Journal of British Studies|volume=46|issue=1|pages=72–90|doi=10.1086/508399|jstor=10.1086/508399|quote=After the enactment of the 1936 External Relations Act and the 1937 Constitution, Ireland's only remaining link with the crown had been the accreditation of diplomats. The president of Ireland was the head of state. When opposition deputies asked de Valera whether Ireland was a republic—a favorite pastime in the mid‐1940s—he tended to resort to dictionary definitions showing that Ireland had all the attributes of a republic.}}</ref> For instance, the President gave assent to new laws with his own authority, without reference to [[King George VI]]. George VI was only an "organ", that was provided for by statute law.


[[Irish neutrality during World War II|Ireland remained neutral]] during World War II, a period it described as the [[The Emergency (Ireland)|Emergency]]. Ireland's technical link with the Commonwealth was terminated with the passage of the [[Republic of Ireland Act 1948]], which came into force on 18 April 1949 and declared that the state was a republic. At the time, a declaration of a republic terminated Commonwealth membership. This rule was changed 10 days after Ireland declared itself a republic, with the [[London Declaration]] of 28 April 1949. Ireland did not reapply when the rules were altered to permit republics to join. Later, the Crown of Ireland Act was formally repealed in Ireland by the Statute Law Revision (Pre-Union Irish Statutes) Act, 1962.
[[Irish neutrality during World War II|Ireland remained neutral]] during World War II, a period it described as [[The Emergency (Ireland)|The Emergency]].<ref>{{cite book | title = The Emergency: Neutral Ireland 1939–45 |last=Girvin |first= Brian |publisher = Pan | date = 2007 | isbn = 9780330493291}}</ref> Ireland's [[Dominion]] status was terminated with the passage of [[The Republic of Ireland Act 1948]], which came into force on 18 April 1949 and declared that the state was a republic.<ref>{{cite ISB |name=The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 (Commencement) Order 1949 |year=1949 |number=27 |type=si |nothe=1|date=4 February 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Whyte |first1=J. H. |author-link1=John Henry Whyte |editor1-last=Hill |editor1-first=J. R. |title=A New History of Ireland |volume=VII: Ireland, 1921–84 |date=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0191615597 |page=277 (footnote 20) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PfFXarIhGqEC&pg=PA277 |access-date=6 August 2019 |chapter=Economic crisis and political cold war, 1949-57 |quote=The Republic of Ireland Act, 1948...repealed the external relations act, and provided for the declaration of a republic, which came into force on 18 Apr. 1949, when Ireland left the commonwealth. |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115091428/https://books.google.com/books?id=PfFXarIhGqEC&pg=PA277 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, a declaration of a republic terminated Commonwealth membership. This rule was changed 10 days after Ireland declared itself a republic, with the [[London Declaration]] of 28 April 1949. Ireland did not reapply when the rules were altered to permit republics to join. Later, the [[Crown of Ireland Act 1542]] was repealed in Ireland by the [[Statute Law Revision (Pre-Union Irish Statutes) Act 1962]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1962/act/29/enacted/en/html | publisher = Irish Statute Book | title = Statute Law Revision (Pre-Union Irish Statutes) Act, 1962 | access-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-date = 5 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180905111820/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1962/act/29/enacted/en/html | url-status = live }}</ref>


===Recent history===
===Recent history===
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|right|In 1973 Ireland joined the [[European Economic Community|EEC]] along with the United Kingdom and Denmark. The country signed the [[Lisbon Treaty]] in 2007.]]
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|In 1973 Ireland joined the [[European Economic Community]] along with the United Kingdom and Denmark. The country signed the [[Lisbon Treaty]] in 2007.]]
Ireland became a member of the [[United Nations]] in December 1955, after previously being denied membership due to its [[Neutrality (international relations)|neutral stance]] during the Second World War and not supporting the [[Allies of World War II|Allied cause]].<ref>{{cite news|author=November getaways |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/review-ireland-at-the-un-memories-of-the-early-years-by-noel-dorr-26673946.html |title=Ireland at the UN |publisher=Independent.ie |date=22 August 2010 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref> At the time, joining the UN involved a commitment to using force to deter aggression by one state against another if the UN thought it was necessary.<ref>{{cite news|author=November getaways |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/a-frank-account-of-irelands-un-affairs-26663319.html |title=Ireland's UN affairs |publisher=Independent.ie |date=26 June 2010 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref>


Ireland became a member of the [[United Nations]] in December 1955, after having been denied membership because of its [[Irish neutrality during World War II|neutral stance]] during the Second World War and not supporting the [[Allies of World War II|Allied cause]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/review-ireland-at-the-un-memories-of-the-early-years-by-noel-dorr-26673946.html |title=Ireland at the UN |work=Irish Independent|date=22 August 2010 |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716113300/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/review-ireland-at-the-un-memories-of-the-early-years-by-noel-dorr-26673946.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, joining the UN involved a commitment to using force to deter aggression by one state against another if the UN thought it was necessary.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/a-frank-account-of-irelands-un-affairs-26663319.html |title=Ireland's UN affairs |work=Irish Independent|date=26 June 2010 |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716123540/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/a-frank-account-of-irelands-un-affairs-26663319.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Interest towards membership of the [[European Economic Community]] developed in Ireland during the 1950s, with consideration also given to membership of the [[European Free Trade Area]]. As the United Kingdom intended on EEC membership, Ireland formally applied for membership in July 1961 due to the substantial economic linkages with the United Kingdom. However, the founding EEC members remained skeptical regarding Ireland's economic capacity, neutrality, and unattractive [[protectionist]] policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.ie/topics/EU/eu.htm |title=National Archives – Ireland and European Unity |publisher=Nationalarchives.ie |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref> Many Irish economists and politicians realised that economic policy reform was necessary. The prospect of EEC membership became doubtful in 1963 when French President General [[Charles de Gaulle]] stated that France opposed Britain's accession, which ceased negotiations with all other candidate countries. However, in 1969 his successor, [[Georges Pompidou]], was not opposed to British and Irish membership. Negotiations began and in 1972 the Treaty of Accession was signed. A [[Third Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum held in 1972]] confirmed Ireland's entry, and it finally succeeded in joining the EEC in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/ireland_in_the_eu/index1_en.htm |title=Joining the European Community |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |date=31 July 1961 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref>


Interest towards membership of the [[European Communities]] (EC) developed in Ireland during the 1950s, with consideration also given to membership of the [[European Free Trade Area]]. As the United Kingdom intended on EC membership, Ireland applied for membership in July 1961 due to the substantial economic linkages with the United Kingdom. The founding EC members remained sceptical regarding Ireland's economic capacity, neutrality, and unattractive [[protectionist]] policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalarchives.ie/topics/EU/eu.htm |title=National Archives – Ireland and European Unity |publisher=Nationalarchives.ie |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=1 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101084325/http://nationalarchives.ie/topics/EU/eu.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Many Irish economists and politicians realised that economic policy reform was necessary. The prospect of EC membership became doubtful in 1963 when French President General [[Charles de Gaulle]] stated that France opposed Britain's accession, which ceased negotiations with all other candidate countries. In 1969 his successor, [[Georges Pompidou]], was not opposed to British and Irish membership. Negotiations began and in 1972 the [[Treaty of Accession 1972|Treaty of Accession]] was signed. A [[Third Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum was held later that year]] which confirmed Ireland's entry into the bloc, and it finally joined the EC as a member state on 1 January 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/ireland_in_the_eu/index1_en.htm |title=Joining the European Community |publisher=European Commission |date=31 July 1961 |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=6 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606010430/http://ec.europa.eu/ireland/ireland_in_the_eu/index1_en.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
The economic crisis of the late 1970s was fueled by [[Fianna Fáil]]'s budget, the abolition of the car tax, excessive borrowing, and global economic instability. There were significant policy changes from 1989 onwards, with economic reform, tax cuts, welfare reform, an increase in competition, and a ban on borrowing to fund current spending. This policy began in 1989–1992 by the Fianna Fáil/[[Progressive Democrats|Progressive Democrat]] government, and continued by the subsequent Fianna Fáil/[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] government and [[Fine Gael]]/Labour/[[Democratic Left (Ireland)|Democratic Left]] government. Ireland became one of the world's fastest growing economies by the late 1990s in what was known as the [[Celtic Tiger]] period, which lasted until the global [[Financial crisis of 2007–08]]. However since 2014, Ireland has experienced strong economic growth dubbed the "[[Economy od the Republic of the Republic of Ireland|Celtic Phoenix]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ireland-is-a-spending-nation-once-again-as-celtic-phoenix-rises-30531688.html|title=Ireland is a spending nation once again as Celtic Phoenix rises|publisher=''Irish Independent''|date=24 August 2014}}</ref>


The economic crisis of the late 1970s was fuelled by the [[Fianna Fáil]] government's budget, the abolition of the car tax, excessive borrowing, and global economic instability including the [[1979 oil crisis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcd.ie/Economics/TEP/1998/985.pdf|title=Taxations And savings in Ireland|last=O'Toole|first=Francis|author2=Warrington|work=Trinity Economic Papers Series|publisher=Trinity College Dublin|page=19|access-date=17 June 2008|archive-date=24 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624202457/http://www.tcd.ie/Economics/TEP/1998/985.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> There were significant policy changes from 1989 onwards, with economic reform, tax cuts, welfare reform, an increase in competition, and a ban on borrowing to fund current spending. This policy began in 1989–1992 by the Fianna Fáil/[[Progressive Democrats]] government, and continued by the subsequent Fianna Fáil/[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] government and [[Fine Gael]]/Labour/[[Democratic Left (Ireland)|Democratic Left]] government. Ireland became one of the world's fastest growing economies by the late 1990s in what was known as the [[Celtic Tiger]] period, which lasted until the [[Great Recession]]. Since 2014, Ireland has experienced increased economic activity.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-nie/nie2017/summary/ | publisher = CSO | title = National Income and Expenditure 2017 (Figure 1.1 Growth Rates) | access-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-date = 6 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180906195352/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-nie/nie2017/summary/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
In the Northern Ireland question, the British and Irish governments started to seek a peaceful resolution to the violent conflict involving many [[Paramilitary|paramilitaries]] and the [[British Army]] in Northern Ireland known as "[[The Troubles]]". A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the [[Good Friday Agreement]], was approved in 1998 in referendums north and south of the border. As part of the peace settlement, the territorial claim to Northern Ireland in [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland]] was removed by referendum.

In the Northern Ireland question, the British and Irish governments started to seek a peaceful resolution to the violent conflict involving many [[Paramilitary|paramilitaries]] and the [[British Army]] in Northern Ireland known as "[[The Troubles]]". A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the [[Good Friday Agreement]], was approved in 1998 in referendums north and south of the border. As part of the peace settlement, the territorial claim to Northern Ireland in [[Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland]] was removed by referendum. In its white paper on [[Brexit]] the United Kingdom government reiterated its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement. With regard to Northern Ireland's status, it said that the UK Government's "clearly-stated preference is to retain Northern Ireland's current constitutional position: as part of the UK, but with strong links to Ireland".<ref>{{cite report| work = Cm 9417 | publisher = HM Government | title = The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union | date = February 2017}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Ireland}}
{{Main|Geography of Ireland}}
[[File:Cliffs of Moher, Clare.jpg|thumb|The [[Cliffs of Moher]] on the Atlantic coast]]
[[File:Ireland (47474631822).jpg|thumb|The [[Cliffs of Moher]] on the Atlantic coast]]
[[File:Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch Cummeenapeasta.jpg|thumb|[[MacGillycuddy's Reeks]], Ireland's highest mountain range]]

The state extends over an area of about five-sixths ({{convert|70273|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) of the island of [[Ireland]] ({{convert|84421|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), with [[Northern Ireland]] constituting the remainder. The island is bounded to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the northeast by the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]]. To the east, the [[Irish Sea]] connects to the Atlantic Ocean via [[St George's Channel]] and the [[Celtic Sea]] to the southwest.
The state extends over an area of about five-sixths ({{convert|70273|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}) of the island of [[Ireland]] ({{convert|84421|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), with [[Northern Ireland]] constituting the remainder. The island is bounded to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the northeast by the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]]. To the east, the [[Irish Sea]] connects to the Atlantic Ocean via [[St George's Channel]] and the [[Celtic Sea]] to the southwest.


The western landscape mostly consists of rugged cliffs, hills and mountains. The central lowlands are extensively covered with glacial deposits of clay and sand, as well as significant areas of [[bogland]] and several lakes. The highest point is [[Carrauntoohil]] ({{convert|1038|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), located in the [[Macgillycuddy's Reeks]] mountain range in the southwest. The [[River Shannon]], which traverses the central lowlands, is the longest river in Ireland at {{convert|386|km|mi|disp=or}} in length. The west coast is more rugged than the east, with numerous islands, [[peninsula]]s, [[headland]]s and [[bay]]s.
The western landscape mostly consists of rugged cliffs, hills and mountains. The central lowlands are extensively covered with glacial deposits of clay and sand, as well as significant areas of [[bogland]] and several lakes. The highest point is [[Carrauntoohil]] ({{convert|1038.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}}), located in the [[MacGillycuddy's Reeks]] mountain range in the southwest. [[River Shannon]], which traverses the central lowlands, is the longest river in Ireland at {{convert|386|km|mi|disp=or}} in length. The west coast is more rugged than the east, with numerous islands, [[peninsula]]s, [[headland]]s and [[bay]]s.


Ireland is one of the least forested countries in Europe.<ref>[https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/general-topics/history-of-forestry-in-ireland/ "History of Forestry in Ireland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053644/https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/general-topics/history-of-forestry-in-ireland/ |date=30 January 2019 }}. [[Teagasc]].</ref> Until the end of the [[Middle Ages]], the land was heavily forested. Native species include [[deciduous]] trees such as [[oak]], [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]], [[Corylus avellana|hazel]], [[birch]], [[Alnus glutinosa|alder]], [[willow]], [[Populus tremula|aspen]], [[Wych elm|elm]], [[Sorbus aucuparia|rowan]] and [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]], as well as [[evergreen]] trees such [[Scots pine]], [[Taxus baccata|yew]], [[Ilex aquifolium|holly]] and [[Arbutus unedo|strawberry trees]].<ref>[https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees Native Species] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409023345/https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees |date=9 April 2022 }}. [[Tree Council of Ireland]].</ref> The growth of [[blanket bog]] and the extensive clearing of woodland for farming are believed to be the main causes of [[deforestation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forestryservices.ie/history|title=History of Forestry in Ireland|access-date=15 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111183448/http://www.forestryservices.ie/history|archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> Today, only about 10% of Ireland is woodland,<ref name="forest">{{cite web |url=https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestservicegeneralinformation/ForestStatisticsIreland2017090318.pdf |title=Forest Statistics – Ireland 2017 |publisher=[[Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine]] |access-date=29 January 2019 |pages=3, 63 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020021739/https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestservicegeneralinformation/ForestStatisticsIreland2017090318.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> most of which is non-native [[conifer]] [[plantation]]s, and only 2% of which is native woodland.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/native-trees-cover-just-2-of-ireland-how-can-this-be-increased-1.3553824 "Native trees cover just 2% of Ireland. How can this be increased?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304164603/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/native-trees-cover-just-2-of-ireland-how-can-this-be-increased-1.3553824 |date=4 March 2020 }}. ''[[The Irish Times]]'', 6 July 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/ireland-s-native-woodlands-are-quietly-disappearing-1.3529317 "Ireland's native woodlands are quietly disappearing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216190001/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/ireland-s-native-woodlands-are-quietly-disappearing-1.3529317 |date=16 February 2019 }}. ''[[The Irish Times]]'', 19 June 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.</ref> The average woodland cover in European countries is over 33%.<ref name="forest" /> According to ''[[Coillte]]'', a state-owned forestry business, the country's climate gives Ireland one of the fastest growth rates for forests in Europe.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.coillte.ie/our-business/our-divisions/forestry/ | website = coillte.ie | publisher = Coillte | title = Forestry – Did you know? | access-date = 3 December 2019 | quote = Ireland has an ideal climate for forestry with one of the fastest growth rates of trees in Europe | archive-date = 9 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200409123308/https://www.coillte.ie/our-business/our-divisions/forestry/ | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Hedgerows]], which are traditionally used to define land boundaries, are an important substitute for woodland habitat, providing refuge for native wild flora and a wide range of insect, bird and mammal species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticenature.ie/Hedgerow.html|title=Hedgerows|access-date=15 June 2011|archive-date=26 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726134733/http://www.noticenature.ie/Hedgerow.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is home to two terrestrial ecoregions: [[Celtic broadleaf forests]] and [[North Atlantic moist mixed forests]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref>
[[File:Deciduous woodland by the Owengarriff River - geograph.org.uk - 449903.jpg|thumb|left|Deciduous woodland in [[County Kerry]] with the ground covered in [[ramsons]] (wild garlic)]]


[[Agriculture]] accounts for about 64% of the total land area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teagasc.ie/agrifood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991004065905/http://www.teagasc.ie/agrifood/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 October 1999 |title=Agriculture in Ireland |publisher=Teagasc.ie |access-date=12 November 2010}}</ref> This has resulted in limited land to preserve natural habitats, in particular for larger wild mammals with greater territorial requirements.<ref>{{cite web |title = Land cover and land use |publisher = Environmental Protection Agency |year = 2000 |url = http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/assessment/land/ |access-date = 30 July 2007 |archive-date = 16 September 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080916125736/http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/assessment/land/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> The long history of agricultural production coupled with modern agricultural methods, such as [[pesticide]] and [[fertiliser]] use, has placed pressure on [[biodiversity]].<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/ |work=The World Factbook |title=Ireland |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=28 August 2011 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109164445/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Before the arrival of the first settlers in Ireland about 9,000 years ago, the land was largely covered by forests of [[oak]], [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]], [[elm]], [[hazel]], [[Taxus baccata|yew]], and other native trees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forestryservices.ie/history|title=History of Forestry in Ireland|accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref> The growth of [[blanket bog]] and the extensive clearing of woodland to facilitate farming are believed to be the main causes of [[deforestation]] during the following centuries. Today, about 12% of Ireland is forested, of which a significant majority is composed of mainly non-native [[coniferous]] plantations for commercial use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/5-15062011-BP/EN/5-15062011-BP-EN.PDF|title=Forests cover around 40% of the EU27 land area|accessdate=20 June 2011}}</ref> Ideal soil conditions, high rainfall and a mild climate give Ireland the highest growth rates for forests in Europe. [[Hedgerows]], which are traditionally used to define land boundaries, are an important substitute for woodland habitat, providing refuge for native wild flora and a wide range of insect, bird and mammal species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticenature.ie/Hedgerow.html|title=Hedgerows|accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Glendalough.jpg|thumb|right|[[Glendalough]] valley in [[County Wicklow]]]]
[[Agriculture]] accounts for about 64% of the total land area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teagasc.ie/agrifood |title=Agriculture in Ireland |publisher=Teagasc.ie |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref> This has resulted in limited land to preserve natural habitats, in particular for larger wild mammals with greater territorial requirements.<ref name="land_cover">{{cite web
|title = Land cover and land use
|publisher = Environmental Protection Agency
|year = 2000
|url=http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/assessment/land/
|accessdate =30 July 2007}}</ref> The long history of agricultural production coupled with modern agricultural methods, such as [[pesticide]] and [[fertiliser]] use, has placed pressure on [[biodiversity]].<ref name="CIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html |work=CIA World Factbook |title=Ireland |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref>


===Climate===
===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Ireland}}
{{Main|Climate of Ireland}}

The [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the warming influence of the [[Gulf Stream]] affect weather patterns in Ireland.<ref name="climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.met.ie/climate/climate-of-ireland.asp|publisher=Met.ie|title=Climate in Ireland |accessdate=22 October 2009}}</ref> Temperatures differ regionally, with central and eastern areas tending to be more extreme. However, due to a [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[oceanic climate]], temperatures are seldom lower than {{convert|-5|°C|°F}} in winter or higher than {{convert|26|°C|°F}} in summer.<ref name="irishclimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelinireland.com/general-information/climate/the-ireland-climate-and-what-to-wear.html|publisher=TravelInIreland.com|title=The Ireland Climate and What to Wear|accessdate=22 October 2009}}</ref> The highest temperature recorded in Ireland was {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}} on 26 June 1887 at [[Kilkenny Castle]] in Kilkenny, while the lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|-19.1|°C|°F}} at [[Markree Castle]] in Sligo.<ref name="metie">{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp |publisher=Met.ie|title=Temperature in Ireland |accessdate=22 October 2009}}</ref> Rainfall is more prevalent during winter months and less so during the early months of summer. Southwestern areas experience the most rainfall as a result of south westerly winds, while [[Dublin]] receives the least. Sunshine duration is highest in the southeast of the country.<ref name="climate" /> The far north and west are two of the windiest regions in Europe, with great potential for [[wind energy]] generation.<ref name="winds">{{cite web |url=http://www.met.ie/climate/wind.asp|publisher=Met.ie|title=Wind over Ireland |accessdate=22 October 2009}}</ref>
[[File:View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains - geograph.org.uk - 5029923.jpg|thumb|[[Wicklow Mountains National Park]]]]

The [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the warming influence of the [[Gulf Stream]] affect weather patterns in Ireland.<ref name="climate">{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/climate-of-ireland.asp|publisher=Met.ie|title=Climate in Ireland|access-date=22 October 2009|archive-date=9 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209072328/http://www.met.ie/climate/climate-of-ireland.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Temperatures differ regionally, with central and eastern areas tending to be more extreme. However, due to a [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[oceanic climate]], temperatures are seldom lower than {{convert|-5|°C|°F}} in winter or higher than {{convert|26|°C|°F}} in summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelinireland.com/general-information/climate/the-ireland-climate-and-what-to-wear.html|publisher=TravelInIreland.com|title=The Ireland Climate and What to Wear|access-date=22 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919170239/http://www.travelinireland.com/general-information/climate/the-ireland-climate-and-what-to-wear.html|archive-date=19 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The highest temperature recorded in Ireland was {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}} on 26 June 1887 at [[Kilkenny Castle]] in Kilkenny, while the lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|-19.1|°C|°F}} at [[Markree Castle]] in Sligo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp |publisher=Met.ie |title=Temperature in Ireland |access-date=22 October 2009 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228220515/http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Rainfall is more prevalent during winter months and less so during the early months of summer. Southwestern areas experience the most rainfall as a result of south westerly winds, while [[Dublin]] receives the least. Sunshine duration is highest in the southeast of the country.<ref name="climate" /> The far north and west are two of the windiest regions in Europe, with great potential for [[wind energy]] generation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/wind.asp|publisher=Met.ie|title=Wind over Ireland|access-date=22 October 2009|archive-date=8 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508021532/http://www.met.ie/climate/wind.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ireland normally gets between 1100 and 1600 hours of sunshine each year, most areas averaging between 3.25 and 3.75 hours a day. The sunniest months are May and June, which average between 5 and 6.5 hours per day over most of the country. The extreme southeast gets most sunshine, averaging over 7 hours a day in early summer. December is the dullest month, with an average daily sunshine ranging from about 1 hour in the north to almost 2 hours in the extreme southeast. The sunniest summer in the 100 years from 1881 to 1980 was 1887, according to measurements made at the Phoenix Park in Dublin; 1980 was the dullest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/sunshine.asp |publisher=Met.ie |title=Sunshine and Solar Radiation |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235105/https://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/sunshine.asp |archive-date=22 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Politics==
==Politics==
{{Main|Politics of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Politics of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{multiple image
[[File:Michael d higgins.jpg|thumb|upright|President [[Michael D. Higgins]]]]
| total_width = 300
Ireland is a [[constitutional republic]] with a [[parliamentary system]] of government. The {{lang|ga|[[Oireachtas]]}} is the [[bicameral]] national parliament composed of the [[President of Ireland]] and the two Houses of the Oireachtas:
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{{lang|ga|[[Seanad Éireann]]}} (Senate) and {{lang|ga|[[Dáil Éireann]]}} (House of Representatives).<ref>Article 15.2 of the Constitution of Ireland.</ref> [[Áras an Uachtaráin]] is the [[official residence]] of the President of Ireland, while the houses of the Oireachtas meet at [[Leinster House]] in [[Dublin]].
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| image1 = Sergio Mattarella Michael D. Higgins sideline of 2021 Arraiolos meeting (3) (cropped).jpg
| alt1 = Michael D. Higgins
| caption1 = [[Michael D. Higgins]]<br />[[President of Ireland|President]]
| image2 = Simon Harris, April 2024 01 (cropped).jpg
| alt2 = Simon Harris
| caption2 = [[Simon Harris]]<br />[[Taoiseach]]
}}


Ireland is a constitutional republic with a [[parliamentary system]] of government. The {{lang|ga|[[Oireachtas]]|italic=no}} is the [[bicameral]] national parliament composed of the [[President of Ireland]] and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: {{lang|ga|[[Dáil Éireann]]|italic=no}} (House of Representatives) and {{lang|ga|[[Seanad Éireann]]|italic=no}} (Senate).<ref>Article 15.2 of the Constitution of Ireland.</ref> [[Áras an Uachtaráin]] is the [[official residence]] of the President of Ireland, while the houses of the Oireachtas meet at [[Leinster House]] in [[Dublin]].
The President serves as [[head of state]], and is elected for a seven-year term and may be re-elected once. The President is primarily a [[figurehead (metaphor)|figurehead]], but is entrusted with certain constitutional powers with the advice of the [[Council of State (Ireland)|Council of State]]. The office has absolute discretion in some areas, such as referring a bill to the Supreme Court for a judgement on its constitutionality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.president.ie/constitutional-role/ |title=Office of the President – Powers and Functions |accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref> [[Michael D. Higgins]] became the ninth President of Ireland on 11 November 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-michael-d-promises-seven-years-of-new-ideas-26791169.html |title=President Michael D promises seven years of new ideas |accessdate=11 November 2011 | work=Irish Independent |date=11 November 2011}}</ref>


The President serves as [[head of state]], is elected for a seven-year term, and may be re-elected once. The President is primarily a [[figurehead (metaphor)|figurehead]], but is entrusted with certain constitutional powers with the advice of the [[Council of State (Ireland)|Council of State]]. The office has absolute discretion in some areas, such as referring a bill to the Supreme Court for a judgment on its constitutionality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.ie/en/the-president/constitutional-role |title=Office of the President – Powers and Functions |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=7 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407175921/http://www.president.ie/en/the-president/constitutional-role |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Michael D. Higgins]] became the ninth President of Ireland on 11 November 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-michael-d-promises-seven-years-of-new-ideas-26791169.html |title=President Michael D promises seven years of new ideas |access-date=11 November 2011 |work=Irish Independent |date=11 November 2011 |archive-date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309070500/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-michael-d-promises-seven-years-of-new-ideas-26791169.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The {{lang|ga|[[Taoiseach]]}} serves as the [[head of government]] and is appointed by the President upon the nomination of the {{lang|ga|Dáil}}. Most ''{{lang|ga|Taoisigh}}'' have served as the leader of the political party that gains the most seats in national elections. It has become customary for [[Coalition government|coalition]]s to form a government, as there has not been a single-party government since 1989.<ref>{{cite book|last=McGrath|first=Conor|author2=Eoin O'Malley|title=Irish political studies reader: key contributions|editor=Conor McGrath, Eoin O'Malley|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|page=54|isbn= 978-0-415-44648-8|url=http://books.google.com/?id=H_fcNWfZ7hIC&pg=PA54&dq=%22in+1989+Haughey+called+a+snap+general+election+in+the+hope+of+gaining+an+overall+majority%22#v=onepage&q=%22in%201989%20Haughey%20called%20a%20snap%20general%20election%20in%20the%20hope%20of%20gaining%20an%20overall%20majority%22&f=false|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> [[Enda Kenny]] assumed the office of Taoiseach on 9 March 2011.


The {{lang|ga|[[Taoiseach]]|italic=no}} (Prime Minister) serves as the [[head of government]] and is appointed by the President upon the nomination of the {{lang|ga|Dáil|italic=no}}. Most {{lang|ga|Taoisigh|italic=no}} have served as the leader of the political party that gains the most seats in national elections. It has become customary for [[Coalition government|coalitions]] to form a government, as there has not been a single-party government since 1989.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McGrath|first1=Conor|first2=Eoin|last2=O'Malley|title=Irish political studies reader: key contributions|editor=Conor McGrath, Eoin O'Malley|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|page=54|isbn=978-0-415-44648-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H_fcNWfZ7hIC&q=%22in+1989+Haughey+called+a+snap+general+election+in+the+hope+of+gaining+an+overall+majority%22&pg=PA54|access-date=15 March 2011|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705090440/https://books.google.com/books?id=H_fcNWfZ7hIC&q=%22in+1989+Haughey+called+a+snap+general+election+in+the+hope+of+gaining+an+overall+majority%22&pg=PA54|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:EndaKenny.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Taoiseach [[Enda Kenny]]]]
The {{lang|ga|Seanad}} is composed of sixty members, with eleven nominated by the {{lang|ga|Taoiseach}}, six elected by two universities, and 43 elected by public representatives from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. The {{lang|ga|Dáil}} has 166 members ({{lang|ga|''[[Teachta Dála|Teachtaí Dála]]''}}) elected to represent multi-seat [[Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|constituencies]] under the system of [[proportional representation]] and by means of the [[single transferable vote]].


The {{lang|ga|Dáil|italic=no}} has 160 members ({{lang|ga|[[Teachta Dála|Teachtaí Dála]]|italic=no}}) elected to represent multi-seat [[Dáil constituencies|constituencies]] under the system of [[proportional representation]] by means of the [[single transferable vote]]. The {{lang|ga|Seanad|italic=no}} is composed of sixty members, with eleven [[nominated members of Seanad Éireann|nominated by]] the {{lang|ga|Taoiseach|italic=no}}, six elected by two [[university constituencies]], and 43 elected by public representatives from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis.
The [[Government of Ireland|Government]] is constitutionally limited to fifteen members. No more than two members can be selected from the {{lang|ga|Seanad}}, and the {{lang|ga|Taoiseach}}, {{lang|ga|[[Tánaiste]]}} (deputy prime minister) and [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]] must be members of the {{lang|ga|Dáil}}. The Dáil must be dissolved within five years after its first meeting following the previous election,<ref>{{cite irish legislation |year=1992 |type=pub |number=23 |section=33 |name=Electoral Act, 1992}}</ref> and a general election for members of the Dáil must take place no later than thirty days after the dissolution. According to the [[Constitution of Ireland]], parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current government is a coalition administration led by {{lang|ga|[[Fine Gael]]}} with Enda Kenny as {{lang|ga|Taoiseach}}, supported by the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] with [[Joan Burton]] as {{lang|ga|Tánaiste}}. Opposition parties in the current {{lang|ga|Dáil}} are [[Fianna Fáil]], [[Sinn Féin]], the [[Socialist Party (Ireland)|Socialist Party]], the [[People Before Profit Alliance|PBPA]], the [[Workers and Unemployed Action Group|WUAG]], as well as a number of [[Independent (politician)|Independents]].


The [[Government of Ireland|government]] is constitutionally limited to fifteen members. No more than two members can be selected from the {{lang|ga|Seanad|italic=no}}, and the {{lang|ga|Taoiseach|italic=no}}, {{lang|ga|[[Tánaiste]]|italic=no}} (deputy prime minister) and [[Minister for Finance (Ireland)|Minister for Finance]] must be members of the {{lang|ga|Dáil|italic=no}}. The Dáil must be dissolved within five years of its first meeting following the previous election,<ref>{{cite ISB |year=1992 |number=23 |section=33 |name=Electoral Act 1992 |date=5 November 1992 |stitle=Maximum duration of Dáil}}</ref> and a general election for members of the Dáil must take place no later than thirty days after the dissolution. In accordance with the [[Constitution of Ireland]], parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current government is a coalition of [[Fianna Fáil]], [[Fine Gael]], and the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] with [[Simon Harris]] of Fine Gael as Taoiseach and [[Micheál Martin]] of Fianna Fáil as Tánaiste. Opposition parties in the current {{lang|ga|Dáil|italic=no}} are [[Sinn Féin]], the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]], [[People Before Profit–Solidarity]], [[Social Democrats (Ireland)|Social Democrats]], [[Aontú]], as well as a number of [[Independent politician (Ireland)|independents]].
[[File:Government Buildings, Dublin.jpg|thumb|[[Government Buildings]]]]Ireland has been a [[member state of the European Union]] since 1973, but has chosen to remain outside the [[Schengen Area]]. Citizens of the United Kingdom can freely enter the country without a passport due to the [[Common Travel Area]], which is a passport-free zone comprising the islands of Ireland, Great Britain, the [[Isle of Man]] and the [[Channel Islands]]. However, some identification is required at airports and seaports.

Ireland has been a [[member state of the European Union]] since 1973. Citizens of the United Kingdom can freely enter the country without a passport due to the [[Common Travel Area]], which is a passport-free zone comprising the islands of Ireland, Great Britain, the [[Isle of Man]] and the [[Channel Islands]]. However, some identification is required at airports and seaports.


===Local government===
===Local government===
{{Main|Local government in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Local government in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Multiple image
The [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898|Local Government Act 1898]]<ref name="LocalGovReform2014">{{cite web | url=http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/LocalGovernmentAdministration/RHLegislation/FileDownLoad,35715,en.pdf | title=Local Government Reform Act 2014 | publisher=Environ.ie | accessdate=2 June 2014}}</ref> is the founding document of the present system of local government, while the [[Twentieth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Twentieth Amendment to the constitution]] of 1999 provided for its constitutional recognition. The twenty-six traditional [[counties of Ireland]] are not always coterminous with administrative divisions although they are generally used as a geographical frame of reference by the population of Ireland. The [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]] provides for a system of [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland#County and city councils|thirty-one local authorities]] - twenty-six county councils, two city and county councils and three city councils.<ref name="LocalGovReform2014" /> Below this (with the exception of the Dublin Region and the three city councils) are [[municipal district]]s, replacing a previous system of [[Town Councils in the Republic of Ireland|town councils]].
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The [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]] was the founding statute of the present system of local government, while the [[Twentieth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Twentieth Amendment to the constitution]] of 1999 provided for its constitutional recognition. The twenty-six traditional [[counties of Ireland]] are the basis of the local government areas, with the traditional counties of [[County Cork|Cork]], [[County Dublin|Dublin]] and [[County Galway|Galway]] containing two or more local government areas. The [[Local Government Act 2001]], as amended by the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]],<ref name="LocalGovReform2014">{{cite ISB|year=2014|number=1|name=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|date=27 January 2014}}</ref> provides for a system of [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|thirty-one local authorities]] – twenty-six county councils, two city and county councils, and three city councils.<ref name="LocalGovReform2014" /> Counties (with the exception of the three counties in Dublin) are divided into [[municipal district]]s. A second local government tier of [[town council (Ireland)|town councils]] was abolished in 2014.


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#[[Fingal County Council|Fingal]]
# [[Fingal County Council|Fingal]]
#[[Dublin City Council|Dublin City]]
# [[Dublin City Council|Dublin City]]
#[[Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council|Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown]]
# [[Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council|Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown]]
#[[South Dublin County Council|South Dublin]]
# [[South Dublin County Council|South Dublin]]
#[[Wicklow County Council|Wicklow]]
# [[Wicklow County Council|Wicklow]]
#[[Wexford County Council|Wexford]]
# [[Wexford County Council|Wexford]]
#[[Carlow County Council|Carlow]]
# [[Carlow County Council|Carlow]]
#[[Kildare County Council|Kildare]]
# [[Kildare County Council|Kildare]]
#[[Meath County Council|Meath]]
# [[Meath County Council|Meath]]
#[[Louth County Council|Louth]]
# [[Louth County Council|Louth]]
#[[Monaghan County Council|Monaghan]]
# [[Monaghan County Council|Monaghan]]
#[[Cavan County Council|Cavan]]
# [[Cavan County Council|Cavan]]
#[[Longford County Council|Longford]]
# [[Longford County Council|Longford]]
#[[Westmeath County Council|Westmeath]]
# [[Westmeath County Council|Westmeath]]
#[[Offaly County Council|Offaly]]
# [[Offaly County Council|Offaly]]
#[[Laois County Council|Laois]]
# [[Laois County Council|Laois]]
|style="font-size: 85%; font-weight:bold;"| <ol start=17>
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<li>[[Kilkenny County Council|Kilkenny]]</li>
<li>[[Kilkenny County Council|Kilkenny]]</li>
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Local authorities are responsible for matters such as planning, local roads, sanitation, and libraries. [[Parliamentary constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|Dáil constituencies]] are required to follow county boundaries as much as possible. Counties with greater populations have multiple constituencies, some of more than one county, but generally do not cross county boundaries. The counties are grouped into eight [[Regions of the Republic of Ireland|regions]], each with a Regional Authority composed of members delegated by the various county and city councils in the region. The regions do not have any direct administrative role as such, but they serve for planning, coordination and statistical purposes.
Local authorities are responsible for matters such as planning, local roads, sanitation, and libraries. The breaching of county boundaries should be avoided as far as practicable in drawing [[Dáil constituencies]]. Counties with greater populations have multiple constituencies, some of more than one county, but generally do not cross county boundaries. The counties are grouped into three [[Regions of the Republic of Ireland|regions]], each with a Regional Assembly composed of members delegated by the various county and city councils in the region. The regions do not have any direct administrative role as such, but they serve for planning, coordination and statistical purposes.


===Law===
===Law===
{{Main|Law of Ireland|Courts of Ireland|Law enforcement in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Law of the Republic of Ireland|Courts of the Republic of Ireland|Law enforcement in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:The Four Courts Building - geograph.org.uk - 3668.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Four Courts]], completed in 1802, is the location of the [[Supreme Court (Ireland)|Supreme Court]], the [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]] and the [[Circuit Court (Ireland)|Dublin Circuit Court]].]]
[[File:Dublin four courts.JPG|thumb|The [[Four Courts]], completed in 1802, is the principal building for civil courts.]]
Ireland has a [[common law]] [[legal system]] with a written constitution that provides for a [[parliamentary democracy]]. The court system consists of the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]], the [[Court of Appeal (Ireland)|Court of Appeal]], the [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]], the [[Circuit Court (Ireland)|Circuit Court]] and the [[District Court (Ireland)|District Court]], all of which apply the [[Law of the Republic of Ireland|law of Ireland]]. Trials for serious offences must usually be held before a [[jury]]. The High Court and the Supreme Court have authority, by means of [[judicial review]], to determine the compatibility of laws and activities of other institutions of the state with the constitution and the law. Except in exceptional circumstances, court hearings must occur in public. The [[Criminal Courts of Justice (Dublin)|Criminal Courts of Justice]] is the principal building for the criminal courts.<ref name="it-first-case-new-courts">{{cite news | last = Coulter| first = Carol| title = First case set for new criminal courts| date = 24 November 2009| accessdate = 3 July 2014| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20978379.html | publisher = Irish Times via [[HighBeam Research]] }} {{Subscription required}}</ref><ref name="independent-pantheon">[http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/new-order-in-court-as-140m-legal-pantheon-opens-doors-26584996.html New order in court as €140m legal 'Pantheon' opens doors], Dearbhail McDonald, ''[[Irish Independent]]'', 24 November 2009</ref> It includes the Dublin Metropolitan District Court, Court of Criminal Appeal, [[Dublin Circuit Criminal Court]] and Central Criminal Court.<ref name="it-first-case-new-courts"/>
Ireland has a [[common law]] [[legal system]] with a written constitution that provides for a [[parliamentary democracy]]. The court system consists of the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]], the [[Court of Appeal (Ireland)|Court of Appeal]], the [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]], the [[Circuit Court (Ireland)|Circuit Court]] and the [[District Court (Ireland)|District Court]], all of which apply the [[Law of the Republic of Ireland|Irish law]] and hear both civil and criminal matters. Trials for serious offences must usually be held before a [[jury]]. The High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have authority, by means of [[Judicial review in the Republic of Ireland|judicial review]], to determine the compatibility of laws and activities of other institutions of the state with the constitution and the law. Except in exceptional circumstances, court hearings must occur in public.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#article34_1 | title = Constitution of Ireland The Courts Article 34.1 | website = irishstatutebook.ie | publisher = Attorney General | quote = Justice shall be administered in courts [...] and, save in such special and limited cases as may be prescribed by law, shall be administered in public | access-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-date = 3 May 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190503055502/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#article34_1 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.ijsj.ie/assets/uploads/6.%20Clare%20Craven-Barry.pdf | journal = Irish Judicial Studies Journal | volume = 3 | year = 2019 | last = Craven-Barry | first = Clare | title = Transparency in Family And Child Law Proceedings: Disentangling The Statutory Techniques And Terminology | access-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200728205214/https://www.ijsj.ie/assets/uploads/6.%20Clare%20Craven-Barry.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>


[[File:CriminalCourtofJusticeDublin.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Criminal Courts of Justice (Dublin)|Criminal Courts of Justice]] is the principal building for criminal courts.]]
[[File:CriminalCourtofJusticeDublin.jpg|thumb|The [[Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin|Criminal Courts of Justice]] is the principal building for criminal courts.]]


[[Garda Síochána|Garda Síochána na hÉireann]] (''Guardians of the Peace of Ireland''), more commonly referred to as the Gardaí, is the state's civilian police force. The force is responsible for all aspects of civil policing, both in terms of territory and infrastructure. It is headed by the Garda Commissioner, who is appointed by the Government. Most uniformed members do not routinely carry [[firearms]]. Standard policing is traditionally carried out by uniformed officers equipped only with a [[baton (law enforcement)|baton]] and [[pepper spray]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gardai-get-pepper-spray-as-officer-assaults-soar-1508060.html|title=
The [[Garda Síochána]] (''lit.'' Guardians of the Peace), more commonly referred to as the Gardaí, is the state's civilian police force. The force is responsible for all aspects of civil policing, both in terms of territory and infrastructure. It is headed by the Garda Commissioner, who is appointed by the Government. Most uniformed members do not routinely carry [[Firearms legislation in Ireland|firearms]]. Standard policing is traditionally carried out by uniformed officers equipped only with a [[baton (law enforcement)|baton]] and [[pepper spray]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://jrnl.ie/169075 |title=Poll: Should the Garda Síochána be armed? |date=4 July 2011 |newspaper=TheJournal.ie |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922125603/https://www.thejournal.ie/poll-should-the-garda-siochana-be-armed-169075-Jul2011/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Gardai get pepper spray as officer assaults soar |publisher=The Irish Independent |accessdate=20 November 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>


The [[Military Police Corps (Ireland)|Military Police]] is the corps of the [[Irish Army]] responsible for the provision of policing service personnel and providing a military police presence to forces while on exercise and deployment. In wartime, additional tasks include the provision of a traffic control organisation to allow rapid movement of military formations to their mission areas. Other wartime roles include control of [[prisoners of war]] and refugees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rdf.ie/corps/military-police.html |title=The Defence Forces |publisher=Rdf.ie |accessdate=12 November 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
The [[Military Police Corps (Ireland)|Military Police]] is the corps of the [[Irish Army]] responsible for the provision of policing service personnel and providing a military police presence to forces while on exercise and deployment. In wartime, additional tasks include the provision of a traffic control organisation to allow rapid movement of military formations to their mission areas. Other wartime roles include control of [[prisoners of war]] and refugees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rdf.ie/corps/military-police.html |title=The Defence Forces |publisher=Rdf.ie |access-date=12 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606053238/http://www.rdf.ie/corps/military-police.html |archive-date=6 June 2009}}</ref>


Ireland's [[Irish nationality law|citizenship laws]] relate to "the island of Ireland", including islands and seas, thereby extending them to [[Northern Ireland]], which is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, anyone born in Northern Ireland who meets the requirements for being an Irish citizen, such as birth on the island of Ireland to an Irish or British citizen parent or a parent who is entitled to live in Northern Ireland or the Republic without restriction on their residency,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html |title=Irish citizenship through birth or descent |publisher=Citizensinformation.ie |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref> may exercise an entitlement to Irish citizenship, such as an [[Irish passport]].<ref>[http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/ConsolidationINCA.pdf/Files/ConsolidationINCA.pdf Irish Nationality & Citizenship Acts 1956–2004 (unofficial consolidated version) [[pdf]] format]</ref>
Ireland's [[Irish nationality law|citizenship laws]] relate to "the island of Ireland", including islands and seas, thereby extending them to [[Northern Ireland]], which is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, anyone born in Northern Ireland who meets the requirements for being an Irish citizen, such as birth on the island of Ireland to an Irish or British citizen parent or a parent who is entitled to live in Northern Ireland or the Republic without restriction on their residency,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html |title=Irish citizenship through birth or descent |publisher=Citizens Information |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112220125/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/irish_citizenship_through_birth_or_descent.html |url-status=live }}</ref> may exercise an entitlement to Irish citizenship, such as an [[Irish passport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1956/act/26/revised/en/html|title=Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 |website=[[Law Reform Commission (Ireland)|Law Reform Commission]] }}</ref>


===Foreign relations===
===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Foreign relations of Ireland}}
{{See also|Ireland–NATO relations}}
Foreign relations are substantially influenced by membership of the European Union, although bilateral relations with the United States and United Kingdom are also important.<ref>See Michael J. Geary, ''An Inconvenient Wait: Ireland's Quest for Membership of the EEC, 1957–73'' (Institute of Public Administration, 2009) (ISBN 978-1-904541-83-7)</ref> It held the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]] on six occasions, most recently from January to June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:001:0011:0012:EN:PDF |title=Official Journal of the European Union |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref>
[[File:P20230317AS-2347 (52777500991).jpg|thumb|upright= 1.0|left|Taoiseach [[Leo Varadkar]] and [[US President]] [[Joe Biden]], at the [[White House]], [[Washington, D.C.]], on 17 March 2023]]
Foreign relations are substantially influenced by membership of the European Union, although bilateral relations with the United Kingdom and United States are also important.<ref>See Michael J. Geary, ''An Inconvenient Wait: Ireland's Quest for Membership of the EEC, 1957–73'' (Institute of Public Administration, 2009) ({{ISBN|978-1-904541-83-7}})</ref> It held the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]] on six occasions, most recently from January to June 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:001:0011:0012:EN:PDF |title=Official Journal of the European Union |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=7 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407200152/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2007:001:0011:0012:EN:PDF |url-status=live }}</ref>


Ireland tends towards independence in foreign policy; thus the country is not a member of [[NATO]] and has a [[The Emergency (Ireland)#Neutrality|longstanding]] policy of military neutrality. This policy has led to the [[Irish Defence Forces]] contributing to peace-keeping missions with the United Nations since 1960, including during the [[Congo Crisis]] and subsequently in [[Cyprus]], [[Lebanon]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/overseas/index.htm |title=Ireland and the United Nations |access-date=15 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414031723/http://www.military.ie/overseas/index.htm |archive-date=14 April 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Institutions europeennes IMG 4300.jpg|thumb|left|Ireland has been a [[member state of the European Union]] since 1973.]]


Despite [[Irish neutrality during World War II]], Ireland had more than 50,000 [[Participants in World War II#Ireland|participants in the war]] through enlistment in the British armed forces. During the [[Cold War]], Irish military policy, while ostensibly neutral, was biased towards NATO.<ref>{{cite web|last = Kennedy|first = Michael|title = Ireland's Role in Post-War Transatlantic Aviation and Its Implications for the Defence of the North Atlantic Area|publisher = Royal Irish Academy|date = 8 October 2014|url = http://www.histech.nl/Shot2004/programma/txt/kennedy.asp?file=kennedy|access-date = 10 October 2007|archive-date = 17 November 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071117075026/http://www.histech.nl/Shot2004/programma/txt/kennedy.asp?file=kennedy|url-status = dead}}</ref> During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], [[Seán Lemass]] authorised the search of Cuban and Czechoslovak aircraft passing through Shannon and passed the information to the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]].<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/1228/1198509920335.html Irish Times, 28 December 2007 p. 1] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707012005/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/1228/1198509920335.html |date=7 July 2012}}.</ref> Ireland's air facilities were used by the United States military for the delivery of military personnel involved in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] through [[Shannon Airport]]. The airport had previously been used for the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan]] in 2001, as well as the [[Gulf War|First Gulf War]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Private Members' Business. – Foreign Conflicts: Motion (Resumed) – Dáil Éireann (29th Dáil) |website=Houses of the Oireachtas |date=30 January 2003 |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2003-01-30/5/ |access-date=15 July 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511091051/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0560/D.0560.200301300005.html |archive-date=11 May 2011 }} – [[Tony Gregory]] speaking in [[Dáil Éireann]]</ref>
Ireland tends towards independence in foreign policy, thus the country is not a member of [[NATO]] and has a [[The Emergency (Ireland)#Neutrality|longstanding]] policy of military neutrality. This policy has helped the [[Irish Defence Forces]] to be successful in their contributions to peace-keeping missions with the United Nations since 1960, during the [[Congo Crisis]] and subsequently in [[Cyprus]], [[Lebanon]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.military.ie/overseas/index.htm|title=Ireland and the United Nations|accessdate=15 July 2010}}</ref>


Since 1999, Ireland has been a member of NATO's [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) program and NATO's [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]] (EAPC), which is aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/state-joins-partnership-for-peace-on-budget-day-1.255246 |title=State joins Partnership for Peace on Budget day |first=Patrick |last=Smyth |date=29 November 1999 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/state-joins-partnership-for-peace-on-budget-day-1.255246 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_82584.htm |title=Signatures of Partnership for Peace Framework Document |publisher=NATO website |date=21 April 2008 |access-date=6 May 2008 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320221141/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_82584.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Despite [[Irish neutrality during World War II]], Ireland had more than 50,000 [[Participants in World War II#Ireland|participants in the war]] through enlistment in the British armed forces. During the [[Cold War]], Irish military policy, while ostensibly neutral, was biased towards NATO.<ref>{{cite web|last = Kennedy|first = Michael|title = Ireland's Role in Post-War Transatlantic Aviation and Its Implications for the Defence of the North Atlantic Area|publisher = Royal Irish Academy|date=8 October 2014|url = http://www.histech.nl/Shot2004/programma/txt/kennedy.asp?file=kennedy|accessdate =10 October 2007}}</ref> During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], [[Seán Lemass]] authorised the search of Cuban and Czechoslovak aircraft passing through Shannon and passed the information to the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]].<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2007/1228/1198509920335.html Irish Times, 28 December 2007 p. 1]{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}.</ref> Ireland's air facilities were used by the United States military for the delivery of military personnel involved in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] through [[Shannon Airport]]. The airport had previously been used for the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|invasion of Afghanistan]] in 2001, as well as the [[First Gulf War]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Private Members' Business. – Foreign Conflicts: Motion (Resumed)|publisher = Government of Ireland|date= 30 January 2003|url = http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0560/D.0560.200301300005.html|accessdate =10 October 2007}} – [[Tony Gregory]] speaking in [[Dáil Éireann]]</ref>

Since 1999, Ireland has been a member of NATO's [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) program, which is aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/1999/1129/99112900010.html |title=State joins Partnership for Peace on Budget day |author=Patrick Smyth |date=29 November 1999 |work=The Irish Times |accessdate=6 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_82584.htm |title=Signatures of Partnership for Peace Framework Document |publisher=NATO website |date=21 April 2008 |accessdate=6 May 2008}}</ref>


===Military===
===Military===
{{Main|Defence Forces (Ireland)}}
{{Main|Defence Forces (Ireland)}}
{{See also|Irish neutrality}}
[[File:Irish Army Mowag Piranha.jpg|thumb|right|Irish Army [[Mowag Piranha]] [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFV]] at 2006 Easter Military Parade in [[Dublin]]]]
[[File:Soldiers from 41 Inf Gp on Parade 1 (4446682116).jpg|thumb|upright= 1.0|[[Irish Army]] soldiers as part of [[Kosovo Force]], 2010]]

Ireland is a [[neutral country]],<ref>{{harvnb|Gilland|2001|p=143}}.</ref> and has "triple-lock" rules governing the participation of Irish troops in conflict zones, whereby approval must be given by the UN, the [[Dáil]] and Government.<ref>{{cite web |title =Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD secures formal Cabinet approval today for Ireland's participation in an EU Battlegroup |publisher =Department of Defense |url =http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/6D9B93944C2A59FE802572270057FB57?OpenDocument |access-date =26 August 2008 |archive-date =19 November 2007 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071119092047/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/6D9B93944C2A59FE802572270057FB57?OpenDocument |url-status =live }}</ref> Accordingly, its military role is limited to national self-defence and participation in [[United Nations peacekeeping]].

The Irish Defence Forces ({{lang|ga|Óglaigh na hÉireann}}) are made up of the [[Irish Army|Army]], [[Irish Naval Service|Naval Service]], [[Irish Air Corps|Air Corps]] and [[Reserve Defence Forces|Reserve Defence Force]]. It is small but well equipped, with almost 10,000 full-time military personnel and over 2,000 in reserve.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lally |first=Conor |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/numbers-in-defence-forces-hit-40-year-low-1.777800 |title=Numbers in Defence Forces hit 40-year low |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/numbers-in-defence-forces-hit-40-year-low-1.777800 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2016-01-13/section/445/ | website=Houses of the Oireachtas | title=Written Replies Nos. 437 to 450 – Defence Forces Reserve | date=13 January 2016 | access-date=27 July 2016 | archive-date=11 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011004946/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016011300092?opendocument#WRFF02150 | url-status=live }}</ref> Daily deployments of the Defence Forces cover [[Military aid to the civil power|aid to civil power]] operations, protection and patrol of Irish territorial waters and [[EEZ]] by the Irish Naval Service, and UN, EU and [[Partnership for Peace|PfP]] peace-keeping missions. By 1996, over 40,000 Irish service personnel had served in international UN peacekeeping missions.<ref>{{cite book|last=United States. National Archives and Records Administration, United States. Office of the Federal Register|title=Weekly compilation of Presidential documents, Volume 32, Issue 2|year=1996|publisher=Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration|page=1050|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V-BKAQAAIAAJ&q=irish+defense+forces+un+40,+000|access-date=29 August 2012|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705090624/https://books.google.com/books?id=V-BKAQAAIAAJ&q=irish+defense+forces+un+40%2C+000|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Irish Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces and operates sixteen fixed wing aircraft and eight helicopters. The Irish Naval Service is Ireland's navy, and operates six [[patrol ship]]s, and smaller numbers of inflatable boats and training vessels, and has armed boarding parties capable of seizing a ship and a special unit of [[frogman|frogmen]]. The military includes the Reserve Defence Forces ([[Army Reserve (Ireland)|Army Reserve]] and [[Naval Service Reserve]]) for part-time reservists. Ireland's special forces include the [[Army Ranger Wing]], which trains and operates with international special operations units. The President is the formal Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, but in practice these Forces answer to the Government via the [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/security_and_emergency_services/defence_forces.html | website = citizensinformation.ie | publisher = Citizens Information Board | title = Defence Forces | access-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-date = 29 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200729013557/https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/security_and_emergency_services/defence_forces.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
The Defence Forces are made up of the [[Irish Army|Army]], [[Irish Naval Service|Naval Service]], [[Irish Air Corps|Air Corps]] and [[Reserve Defence Forces|Reserve Defence Force]]. It is small but well equipped, with almost 10,000 full-time military personnel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lally |first=Conor |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1125/1224259394378.html |title=Numbers in Defence Forces hit 40-year low |work=Irish Times |date=25 November 2009 |accessdate=12 November 2010 }}</ref> Ireland is a [[neutral country]],<ref>{{harvnb|Gilland|2001|p=143}}.</ref> and has "triple-lock" rules governing the participation of Irish troops in conflict zones, whereby approval must be given by the UN, the [[Dáil]] and Government.<ref>{{cite web |title =Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O'Dea TD secures formal Cabinet approval today for Ireland's participation in an EU Battlegroup |publisher =Department of Defense |url =http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/6D9B93944C2A59FE802572270057FB57?OpenDocument |accessdate =26 August 2008}}</ref> Daily deployments of the Defence Forces cover [[Military aid to the civil power|aid to civil power]] operations, protection and patrol of Irish territorial waters and [[EEZ]] by the Irish Naval Service, and UN, EU and [[Partnership for Peace|PfP]] peace-keeping missions. By 1996, over 40,000 Irish service personnel had served in international UN peacekeeping missions.<ref>{{cite book|last=United States. National Archives and Records Administration, United States. Office of the Federal Register|title=Weekly compilation of Presidential documents, Volume 32, Issue 2|year=1996|publisher=Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration|page=1050|url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=V-BKAQAAIAAJ&q=irish+defense+forces+un+40,+000&dq=irish+defense+forces+un+40,+000&source=bl&ots=nSlh1bbp9I&sig=-diDIH4p48rrbCjfC7orQXXDPT8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VWM9UMvDE5OHhQevpoGwBA&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg|accessdate=29 August 2012}}</ref>


In 2017, Ireland signed the United Nations [[Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=17 September 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Irish Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces and operates sixteen fixed wing aircraft and eight helicopters. The Irish Naval Service is Ireland's Navy, and operates eight [[patrol ship]]s, and smaller numbers of inflatable boats and training vessels, and has armed boarding parties capable of seizing a ship and a special unit of [[frogman|frogmen]]. The military includes the Reserve Defence Forces ([[Irish Army Reserve|Army Reserve]] and [[Naval Service Reserve]]) for non-active reservists. Ireland's special forces include the [[Army Ranger Wing]], which trains and operates with international special operations units. The President is the formal Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, but in practice answers to the Government via the [[Minister for Defence (Ireland)|Minister for Defence]].


==Economy==
==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Economy of the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:Eurozone.svg|thumb|Ireland is part of the EU (dark grey & dark blue) and [[Eurozone]] (dark blue).]]


Ireland is an open economy and ranks first for "high-value" [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) flows.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland-named-best-country-for-high-value-fdi-for-sixth-year-in-a-row-1.3204594|title=Ireland named best country for high-value FDI for sixth year in a row|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 August 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401134403/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland-named-best-country-for-high-value-fdi-for-sixth-year-in-a-row-1.3204594|url-status=live}}</ref> Ireland ranks 5th of 187 (IMF) and 6th of 175 ([[World Bank]]) in [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|GDP per capita]] as well as ranking in the top ten for [[List of countries by GNI (nominal) per capita|GNI per capita]]. An alternative metric, known as [[Modified gross national income|modified Gross National Income (GNI)]], was created by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] and is used by the Irish government to give a view of activity in the domestic economy after stripping out large multinational export movements which can often relate to intangible assets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2017pressreleases/pressstatementmacroeconomicreleasesyear2016andquarter12017/|title=Press Statement Macroeconomic Releases Year 2016 and Quarter 1 2017 – CSO – Central Statistics Office|website=cso.ie|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160454/https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2017pressreleases/pressstatementmacroeconomicreleasesyear2016andquarter12017/|url-status=live}}</ref> This is particularly relevant in Ireland's economy, as GDP disproportionately includes income from non-Irish owned companies, which often flows out of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-nie/nie2017/mgni/|title=Modified Gross National Income – CSO – Central Statistics Office|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160504/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-nie/nie2017/mgni/|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign multinationals are the main driver of Ireland's economy, employing a quarter of the private sector workforce,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/investment/IRELAND-trade-investment-statistical-country-note.pdf|title=IRELAND Trade and Statistical Note 2017|publisher=OECD|year=2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410201752/http://www.oecd.org/investment/IRELAND-trade-investment-statistical-country-note.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and paying 80% of Irish corporate taxes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2017/0621/884543-corporation/|title=20 multinationals paid half of all Corporation tax paid in 2016|publisher=RTÉ News|date=21 June 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621192623/https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2017/0621/884543-corporation/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fora.ie/multinational-tax-ireland-2767900-May2016/|title=Most of Ireland's huge corporate tax haul last year came from foreign firms|publisher=sunday Business Post FORA|date=14 May 2016|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517014005/https://fora.ie/multinational-tax-ireland-2767900-May2016/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/corporation-tax-returns-2016.pdf|title=An Analysis of 2015 Corporation Tax Returns and 2016 Payments|publisher=Revenue Commissioners|date=April 2017|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-date=28 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128143457/https://revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/corporation-tax-returns-2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 14 of Ireland's top 20 firms (by 2017 turnover) are US-based multinationals<ref name="itimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.top1000.ie/companies|title=Ireland's Top 1000 Companies|newspaper=The Irish Times|year=2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=17 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917165911/https://www.top1000.ie/companies|url-status=live}}</ref> and 80% of foreign multinationals in Ireland are from the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idaireland.com/docs/publications/ida_strategy_final|title=Winning FDI 2015–2019 Strategy|publisher=IDA Ireland|date=March 2015|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915015432/https://www.idaireland.com/docs/publications/ida_strategy_final|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idaireland.com/newsroom/publications/ireland-s-economic-and-competitiveness-update-q1|title=IDA Ireland Competitiveness|publisher=IDA Ireland|date=March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405153100/https://www.idaireland.com/newsroom/publications/ireland-s-economic-and-competitiveness-update-q1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="itimes"/>
===Development===
[[File:BlueEurozone.svg|thumb|Ireland is part of the EU (dark blue & light blue) and [[Eurozone]] (dark blue).]]
The Irish economy has transformed since the 1980s from being predominantly agricultural to a modern [[knowledge economy]] focused on high technology industries and services. Ireland adopted the euro currency in 2002 along with eleven other [[Member states of the European Union|EU member states]].<ref name="CIA"/> The country is heavily reliant on [[Foreign Direct Investment]] and has attracted several [[multinational corporations]] due to a highly educated workforce and a low [[corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland|corporation tax]] rate.<ref name="2009forfasACR">{{cite web |title = Annual Competitiveness Report 2008, Volume One: Benchmarking Ireland's Performance |publisher = NCC |year = 2009 |url=http://www.forfas.ie/media/ncc090108_acr_2008.pdf |accessdate =1 July 2009}}</ref>
<!--[[File:Ireland Product Exports (2019).svg|upright=1.35|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Ireland exports, 2019]]-->
Ireland adopted the euro currency in 2002 along with eleven other [[Member states of the European Union|EU member states]].<ref name="CIA"/> As of January 2023 there are 20 EU member states using the euro currency with Croatia the most recent member to join on 1 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Croatia set to join the euro area on 1 January 2023: Council adopts final required legal acts |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/07/12/croatia-set-to-join-the-euro-area-on-1-january-2023-council-adopts-final-required-legal-acts/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=consilium.europa.eu|archive-date=25 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725212627/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/07/12/croatia-set-to-join-the-euro-area-on-1-january-2023-council-adopts-final-required-legal-acts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Following the [[Great Recession]] and the bursting of the [[Irish property bubble]], the country officially exited recession in 2010, driven by a growth in exports from US multinationals in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fottrell |first=Quentin |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358.html |work=The Wall Street Journal |title=Ireland Officially Exits Recession |date=30 June 2010 |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-date=5 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405045115/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, due to a rise in the cost of public borrowing due to government guarantees of private banking debt, the Irish government accepted an €85&nbsp;billion programme of assistance from the EU, [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) and bilateral loans from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-to-receive-85-billion-bailout-at-5-8-interest-rate-1.868001 |title=Ireland to receive €85&nbsp;billion bailout at 5.8% interest rate |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=28 November 2010 |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518062057/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-to-receive-85-billion-bailout-at-5-8-interest-rate-1.868001 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following three years of contraction, the economy grew by 0.7% in 2011 and 0.9% in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/0321/377718-gdp-growth-cso/ |title=Irish economy grew by 0.9% in 2012 – CSO |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=30 May 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203042221/http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/0321/377718-gdp-growth-cso/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The unemployment rate was 14.7% in 2012, including 18.5% among recent immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/irish-anti-immigrant-attitudes-growing-report-shows-1.1442460 |title=Irish anti-immigrant attitudes growing, report shows |first=Judith |last=Crosbie |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=6 December 2013 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212112759/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/irish-anti-immigrant-attitudes-growing-report-shows-1.1442460 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2016 the [[unemployment rate]] was reported by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]] to be 8.6%, down from a peak unemployment rate of 15.1% in February 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mue/monthlyunemploymentmarch2016//#.UOIU2GeKBLM,|title=Monthly Unemployment March 2016 – CSO – Central Statistics Office|website=cso.ie|date=5 April 2016 |access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731064048/http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mue/monthlyunemploymentmarch2016//#.UOIU2GeKBLM,|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to unemployment, net emigration from Ireland between 2008 and 2013 totalled 120,100,<ref name="Financial Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d27e950a-10bf-11e3-b291-00144feabdc0.html |title=One Irish person emigrates every six minutes |newspaper=Financial Times|location=London |date=29 August 2010 |access-date=2 May 2015 |archive-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414141357/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d27e950a-10bf-11e3-b291-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> or some 2.6% of the total population according to the [[Census of Ireland 2011]]. One-third of the emigrants were aged between 15 and 24.<ref name="Financial Times"/> As of November 2022, unemployment had fallen back to 4.4%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monthly Unemployment November 2022 – CSO – Central Statistics Office |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mue/monthlyunemploymentnovember2022/ |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=CSO |date=30 November 2022|archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208155846/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mue/monthlyunemploymentnovember2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2023}}
Companies such as [[Intel]] invested in Ireland during the late 1980s, later followed by [[Microsoft]] and [[Google]]. Ireland is ranked as the ninth most economically free economy in the world, according to the [[Index of Economic Freedom]]. In terms of [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] per capita, Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]] and [[European Union|EU]]. However, the country ranks below the OECD average in terms of [[Gross national product|GNP]] per capita. GDP is significantly greater than GNP due to the large number of multinational corporations based in Ireland.<ref name="2009forfasACR"/>


Ireland exited its EU-IMF bailout programme on 15 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/13/ireland-first-country-exit-eurozone-bailout|title=Ireland becomes first country to exit eurozone bailout programme|first=Henry|last=McDonald|date=13 December 2013|access-date=30 July 2017|work=The Guardian|location=London|archive-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720150945/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/13/ireland-first-country-exit-eurozone-bailout|url-status=live}}</ref> Having implemented budget cuts, reforms and sold assets, Ireland was again able to access debt markets. Since then, Ireland has been able to sell long term bonds at record rates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cbonds.com/news/item/696585|title=Republic of Ireland raises €3.75&nbsp;billion from sale of new 10-year benchmark bond|website=cbonds.com|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=25 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525195931/http://cbonds.com/news/item/696585|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the stabilisation of the Irish credit bubble required a large transfer of debt from the private sector balance sheet (highest OECD leverage), to the public sector balance sheet (almost unleveraged, pre-crisis), via Irish bank bailouts and public deficit spending.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/51a2e9bf-f654-333c-8ae8-b5155eea9ea0|title=Irish government debt four times pre-crisis level, NTMA says|newspaper=Financial Times|location=London|date=10 July 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011023003/https://www.ft.com/content/51a2e9bf-f654-333c-8ae8-b5155eea9ea0|url-status=live|last1=Boland|first1=Vincent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/42-of-europes-banking-crisis-paid-by-ireland-219703.html|title=42% of Europe's banking crisis paid by Ireland|date=16 January 2013|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=18 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118025227/https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/42-of-europes-banking-crisis-paid-by-ireland-219703.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The transfer of this debt means that Ireland, in 2017, still has one of the highest levels of both public sector indebtedness, and private sector indebtedness, in the EU-28/OECD.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/who-owes-more-money-the-irish-or-the-greeks-1.2236034|title=Who owes more money – the Irish or the Greeks?|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=4 June 2015|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731231102/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/who-owes-more-money-the-irish-or-the-greeks-1.2236034|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/why-do-the-irish-still-owe-more-than-the-greeks-1.3001026|title=Why do the Irish still owe more than the Greeks?|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 March 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=7 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707161122/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/why-do-the-irish-still-owe-more-than-the-greeks-1.3001026|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/irelands-colossal-level-of-indebtedness-leaves-any-new-government-with-precious-little-room-for-manoeuvre-34633087.html|title=Ireland's colossal level of indebtedness leaves any new government with precious little room for manoeuvre|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=16 April 2016|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085125/https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/irelands-colossal-level-of-indebtedness-leaves-any-new-government-with-precious-little-room-for-manoeuvre-34633087.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiscalcouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Fiscal-Assessment-Report-June-2017-Presentation.pdf|title=Irish public debt levels 4th highest in EU28 June 2017 FAR Slide 7|publisher=Irish Fiscal Advisory Council|date=June 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023214019/http://www.fiscalcouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Fiscal-Assessment-Report-June-2017-Presentation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/irish-household-debt-falls-but-still-among-highest-in-europe-1.3216828?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Firish-household-debt-falls-but-still-among-highest-in-europe-1.3216828|title=Irish household debt still amongst the highest in Europe|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 September 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116024148/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/irish-household-debt-falls-but-still-among-highest-in-europe-1.3216828?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Firish-household-debt-falls-but-still-among-highest-in-europe-1.3216828|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/national-debt-now-44000-per-head-35904197.html|title=Net National debt now €44000 per head, 2nd highest in the World|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=7 July 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=14 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114065147/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/national-debt-now-44000-per-head-35904197.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Beginning in the early 1990s, the country experienced unprecedented economic growth fuelled by a dramatic rise in consumer spending, construction and investment, which became known as the [[Celtic Tiger]] period. The pace of growth slowed during 2007 and led to the burst of a major [[property bubble]] which had developed over time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.ie/irish_economy |title=ESRI – Irish Economy |publisher=Esri.ie |accessdate=30 June 2011}}</ref> The dramatic fall in property prices highlighted the over-exposure of the economy to construction and contributed to the [[2008–14 Irish banking crisis|Irish banking crisis]]. Ireland officially entered a [[recession]] in 2008 following consecutive months of economic contraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie |title=CSO – Central Statistics Office Ireland |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |date=9 November 2004 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> GNP contracted by 11.3% in 2009 alone, the largest annual decline in GNP since 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1019326.shtml |title=Irish Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product fell 7.1% and 11.3% in 2009 |publisher=Fin Facts |date=25 March 2010 |accessdate=2 May 2015}}</ref>


Ireland became one of the main destinations for US pharmaceutical [[Corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland#Corporate tax inversions|corporate tax inversions]] from 2009 to 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/tax-inversion-tracker/|title=Tracking Tax Runaways|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=1 March 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617014206/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/tax-inversion-tracker/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/pfizer-pulls-out-of-140bn-irish-allergan-merger-34603518.html|title=Pfizer pulls out of €140bn Irish Allergan merger|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=6 April 2016|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708104847/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/pfizer-pulls-out-of-140bn-irish-allergan-merger-34603518.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has also became the largest foreign location for large US technology multinationals (i.e. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook), which delivered a GDP growth rate of 26.3% (and GNP growth rate of 18.7%) in 2015. This growth was subsequently shown to be due to Apple restructuring its "[[double Irish]]" subsidiary (Apple Sales International, currently under threat of a [[EU illegal State aid case against Apple in Ireland|€13bn EU "illegal state aid" fine]] for preferential tax treatment).
The country officially exited recession in 2010, assisted by a strong growth in exports.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fottrell |first=Quentin |url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052748703426004575338433422665358.html |work=Wall Street Journal | title=Ireland Officially Exits Recession |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date=30 June 2010 |accessdate=30 June 2011}}</ref> However, due to a significant rise in the cost of public borrowing due to government guarantees of private banking debt, the Irish government accepted an €85 billion programme of assistance from the EU, [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) and bilateral loans from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1128/breaking1.html |title=Ireland to receive €85 billion bailout at 5.8% interest rate |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=28 November 2010 |accessdate=30 June 2011}}</ref> Following three years of contraction, the economy grew by 0.7% in 2011 and 0.9% in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/0321/377718-gdp-growth-cso/ |title=Irish economy grew by 0.9% in 2012 - CSO |publisher=RTÉ |date=21 March 2013 |accessdate=30 May 2013}}</ref> The unemployment rate was 14.7% in 2012, including 18.5% among recent immigrants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/irish-anti-immigrant-attitudes-growing-report-shows-1.1442460 |title=Irish anti-immigrant attitudes growing, report shows |first=Judith |last=Crosbie |publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]'' |date=26 June 2013}}</ref> In March 2014 the [[unemployment rate]] was reported by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] to be 11.8%, down from a peak unemployment rate of 15.1% in February 2012<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/Ir/liveregistermarch2014/#.UOIU2GeKBLM, accessed on April 8th 2014]{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> In addition to unemployment, net emigration from Ireland between 2008 and 2013 totalled 120,100,<ref name="Financial Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d27e950a-10bf-11e3-b291-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3YyoVn8JR |title=One Irish person emigrates every six minutes |publisher=Financial Times |date=29 August 2010 |accessdate=2 May 2015}}</ref> or some 2.6% of the total population according to the [[Census of Ireland 2011]]. One-third of the emigrants were aged between 15 and 24.<ref name="Financial Times"/>


===Taxation policy===
In 2013, Ireland was named the "best country for business" by [[Forbes]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gleeson |first=Collin |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/forbes-names-ireland-as-best-country-for-business-1.1617277 |work=Irish Times | title=Forbes names Ireland as 'best country for business' |publisher=irishtimes.com |date=5 December 2013 |accessdate=5 December 2013}}</ref>
The transformation of Ireland's tax policy started with the creation of a 10% low-tax "[[special economic zone]]", called the [[International Financial Services Centre, Dublin|International Financial Services Centre]] (or "IFSC"), in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finance-magazine.com/display_article.php?i=2300&pi=142|title=Dermot Desmond on the IFSC past and future|publisher=Finance Dublin|year=2003|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030751/http://www.finance-magazine.com/display_article.php?i=2300&pi=142|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, the entire country was effectively "turned into an IFSC" with the reduction of Irish corporation tax from 32% to 12.5%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/Documents/EY_Historical_Dev_International_Context_Irish_%20Corporation_Tax.pdf |title=History of the Irish Corporate Tax System |publisher=Ernst and Young |year=2014 |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-date=10 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010024636/http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/Documents/EY_Historical_Dev_International_Context_Irish_%20Corporation_Tax.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/finance/Report---Global-Corporate-Taxation-Final.pdf |title=Report on Ireland's Relationship with Global Corporate Taxation Architecture |publisher=Department of Finance |year=2014 |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509004309/https://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/committees/finance/Report---Global-Corporate-Taxation-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This accelerated the later stages of Ireland's transition from a predominantly agricultural economy into a [[knowledge economy|knowledge]] and [[service economy]] initially focused on property and construction and later focused on attracting mainly US multinationals from high-tech, life sciences, and financial services industries seeking to avail of Ireland's low corporation tax rates and favourable [[Corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland|corporate tax system]].


The multinational tax schemes foreign firms use in Ireland materially distort Irish economic statistics. This reached a climax with the "[[leprechaun economics]]" GDP/GNP growth rates of 2015 (as Apple restructured its Irish subsidiaries in 2015). The [[Central Bank of Ireland]] introduced a new statistic, Modified gross national income, to remove these distortions. GNI* is 30% below GDP (or, GDP is 143% of GNI).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/cso-paints-a-very-different-picture-of-irish-economy-with-new-measure-1.3155462|title=CSO paints a very different picture of Irish economy with new measure|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=15 July 2017|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121164330/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/cso-paints-a-very-different-picture-of-irish-economy-with-new-measure-1.3155462|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/new-economic-leprechaun-on-loose-as-rate-of-growth-plunges-35932663.html|title=New economic Leprechaun on loose as rate of growth plunges|work=Irish Independent|date=15 July 2017|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025081035/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/new-economic-leprechaun-on-loose-as-rate-of-growth-plunges-35932663.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/newsevents/documents/reportoftheeconomicstatisticsreviewgroup/ESRG_Presentation_-_Press_Briefing.pdf|title=ESRG Presentation and CSO Response|publisher=Central Statistics Office|date=4 February 2017|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205233009/http://cso.ie/en/media/csoie/newsevents/documents/reportoftheeconomicstatisticsreviewgroup/ESRG_Presentation_-_Press_Briefing.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2017/0204/850115-leprechaun-economics/|title=Leprechaun-proofing economic data|publisher=RTÉ News|date=4 February 2017|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-date=4 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204124457/https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2017/0204/850115-leprechaun-economics/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/eventsconferencesseminars/resrg/|title=Report on the ESRG Review Group on GNI*|publisher=Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|date=February 2017|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330191755/http://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/eventsconferencesseminars/resrg/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ireland exited its EU-IMF bailout programme on 15 December 2013.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/13/ireland-first-country-exit-eurozone-bailout accessed on December 16th 2013]</ref> Having implemented budget cuts, reforms and sold assets, Ireland was again able to access debt markets. Since then, Ireland has been able to purchase long term bonds at record rates.


From the creation of the [[International Financial Services Centre, Dublin|IFSC]], the country experienced strong and sustained economic growth which fuelled a dramatic rise in Irish consumer borrowing and spending, and Irish construction and investment, which became known as the [[Celtic Tiger]] period.<ref name="aw"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.ie/irish_economy |title=ESRI – Irish Economy |publisher=Esri.ie |access-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624030442/http://www.esri.ie/irish_economy/ |archive-date=24 June 2011 }}</ref> By 2007, Ireland had the highest private sector debt in the OECD with a household debt-to-disposable income ratio of 190%. Global capital markets, who had financed Ireland's build-up of debt in the [[Celtic Tiger]] period by enabling Irish banks to borrow in excess of the domestic deposit base (to over 180% at peak<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/banks-continue-to-grow-deposits-as-loan-books-shrink-215666.html|title=Irish Banks continue to grow deposits as loan books shrink|work=Irish Examiner|date=December 2012|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082058/https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/banks-continue-to-grow-deposits-as-loan-books-shrink-215666.html|url-status=live}}</ref>), withdrew support in the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]]. Their withdrawal from the over-borrowed Irish credit system would precipitate a deep Irish property correction which then led to the [[Post-2008 Irish banking crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr16258.pdf|title=Ireland Financial System Stability Assessment 2016 |publisher=International Monetary Fund|date=July 2016|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329130553/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr16258.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="aw">{{cite web|url=https://www.socialeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/p_imk_wp_175_2017.pdf|title=Crisis Recovery in a Country with a High Presence of Foreign Owned Companies|publisher=IMK Institute, Berlin|date=January 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219202558/https://www.socialeurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/p_imk_wp_175_2017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Trade and energy===

Ireland's successful "low-tax" economy opens it to accusations of being a "corporate [[tax haven]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/oxfam-tax-haven-3133714-Dec2016/|title=Ireland named world's 6th worst corporate tax haven|publisher=journal.ie|date=12 December 2016|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202524/http://www.thejournal.ie/oxfam-tax-haven-3133714-Dec2016/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = The United States' new view of Ireland: 'tax haven'|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-united-states-new-view-of-ireland-tax-haven-1.2896469?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Flife-and-style%2Fabroad%2Fthe-united-states-new-view-of-ireland-tax-haven-1.2896469|newspaper = The Irish Times|date = January 2017|access-date = 11 April 2018|archive-date = 9 April 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180409234949/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-united-states-new-view-of-ireland-tax-haven-1.2896469?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Flife-and-style%2Fabroad%2Fthe-united-states-new-view-of-ireland-tax-haven-1.2896469|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/europe-points-finger-at-ireland-over-tax-avoidance-1.3417948|title=Europe points finger at Ireland over tax avoidance|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307095256/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/europe-points-finger-at-ireland-over-tax-avoidance-1.3417948|url-status=live}}</ref> and led to it being "blacklisted" by Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ireland-brazil-funds/blacklisted-by-brazil-dublin-funds-find-new-ways-to-invest-idUSL8N1MK2NX|title=Blacklisted by Brazil, Dublin funds find new ways to invest|work=Reuters|date=20 March 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121655/https://www.reuters.com/article/ireland-brazil-funds/blacklisted-by-brazil-dublin-funds-find-new-ways-to-invest-idUSL8N1MK2NX|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ireland-no-tax-haven-us-authorities-told-35565554.html|title=Oregon Department of Revenue made a recommendation that Ireland be included as a 'listed jurisdiction' or tax haven|work=Irish Independent|date=26 March 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121653/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ireland-no-tax-haven-us-authorities-told-35565554.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2017 study ranks Ireland as the 5th largest global [[Conduit and Sink OFCs|Conduit OFC]], which legally route funds to [[tax havens]]. A serious challenge is the passing of the US [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]] (whose FDII and GILTI regimes target Ireland's multinational tax schemes).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/trump-s-us-tax-reform-a-significant-challenge-for-ireland-1.3310866|title=Trump's US tax reform a significant challenge for Ireland|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 November 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625213509/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/trump-s-us-tax-reform-a-significant-challenge-for-ireland-1.3310866|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = US corporations could be saying goodbye to Ireland|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/us-corporations-could-be-saying-goodbye-to-ireland-1.3359050?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fus-corporations-could-be-saying-goodbye-to-ireland-1.3359050|newspaper = The Irish Times|date = 17 January 2018|access-date = 4 July 2021|archive-date = 9 April 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233616/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/us-corporations-could-be-saying-goodbye-to-ireland-1.3359050?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fus-corporations-could-be-saying-goodbye-to-ireland-1.3359050|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/donald-trump-singles-out-ireland-in-tax-speech-1.3310149?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fdonald-trump-singles-out-ireland-in-tax-speech-1.3310149|title=Donald Trump singles out Ireland in tax speech|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=29 November 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403112427/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/donald-trump-singles-out-ireland-in-tax-speech-1.3310149?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fdonald-trump-singles-out-ireland-in-tax-speech-1.3310149|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://hbr.org/ideacast/2017/12/breaking-down-the-new-u-s-corporate-tax-law|title=Breaking Down the New U.S. Corporate Tax Law|magazine=Harvard Business Review|date=26 December 2017|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=22 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722112253/https://hbr.org/ideacast/2017/12/breaking-down-the-new-u-s-corporate-tax-law|url-status=live}}</ref> The EU's 2018 Digital Sales Tax (DST)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20180309IPR99422/meps-approve-new-eu-corporate-tax-plan-which-embraces-digital-presence|title=MEPs approve new EU corporate tax plan which embraces 'digital presence'|publisher=European Parliament|date=15 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=16 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316171804/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20180309IPR99422/meps-approve-new-eu-corporate-tax-plan-which-embraces-digital-presence|url-status=live}}</ref> (and desire for a [[Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base|CCCTB]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/eu-digital-tax-ireland-2-2-3918628-Mar2018/|title=What the EU's new taxes on the tech giants mean – and how they would hurt Ireland|work=TheJournal.ie|date=24 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=29 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329085428/http://www.thejournal.ie/eu-digital-tax-ireland-2-2-3918628-Mar2018/|url-status=live}}</ref>) is also seen as an attempt to restrict Irish "[[Corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland#Multinational tax schemes|multinational tax schemes]]" by US technology firms.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/brexit/shakeup-of-eu-tax-rules-a-more-serious-threat-to-ireland-than-brexit-36130545.html |title=Shake-up of EU tax rules a 'more serious threat' to Ireland than Brexit |work=Irish Independent |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116015310/https://www.independent.ie/business/brexit/shakeup-of-eu-tax-rules-a-more-serious-threat-to-ireland-than-brexit-36130545.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/why-ireland-faces-a-fight-on-the-corporate-tax-front-1.3426080|title=Why Ireland faces a fight on the corporate tax front|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=14 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093554/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/why-ireland-faces-a-fight-on-the-corporate-tax-front-1.3426080|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/eu-digital-levy-could-hit-tech-fdi-and-tax-revenue-here-36725944.html|title=EU digital levy could hit tech FDI and tax revenue here|work=Irish Independent|date=21 March 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626090803/https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/eu-digital-levy-could-hit-tech-fdi-and-tax-revenue-here-36725944.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Trade===
[[File:La Touche House, Dublin ( DSC6350).jpg|thumb|The [[International Financial Services Centre, Dublin|International Financial Services Centre]] in Dublin]]
Although [[multinational corporation]]s dominate Ireland's export sector, exports from other sources also contribute significantly to the national income. The activities of multinational companies based in Ireland have made it one of the largest exporters of pharmaceutical agents, medical devices and software-related goods and services in the world. Ireland's exports also relate to the activities of large Irish companies (such as [[Ryanair]], [[Kerry Group]] and [[Smurfit Kappa]]) and exports of mineral resources including zinc and lead concentrates. The country also has significant deposits of [[gypsum]] and smaller quantities of copper, silver, gold, [[barite]], and [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]].<ref name="CIA"/> [[Tourism in Ireland]] contributes about 4% of GDP and is a significant source of employment.

Other goods exports include agri-food, cattle, beef, dairy products, and aluminum. Ireland's major imports include data processing equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, and clothing. [[Financial services]] provided by multinational corporations based at the [[Irish Financial Services Centre]] also contribute to Irish exports. The difference between exports (€89.4&nbsp;billion) and imports (€45.5&nbsp;billion) resulted an annual trade surplus of €43.9&nbsp;billion in 2010,<ref name="CSO">{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/statistics/botmaintrpartners.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013201019/http://cso.ie/statistics/botmaintrpartners.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2011 |title=CSO – Main Trading Partners 2010 |publisher=Cso.ie }}</ref> which is the highest trade surplus relative to GDP achieved by any EU member state.

The EU is by far the country's largest trading partner, accounting for 57.9% of exports and 60.7% of imports. Prior to [[Brexit]], the United Kingdom was the most important trading partner within the EU, accounting for 15.4% of exports and 32.1% of imports. Outside the EU, the United States accounted for 23.2% of exports and 14.1% of imports in 2010.<ref name="CSO"/>

===Energy===
{{Main|Energy in Ireland}}
[[File:IMG WindfarmKilmuck1920.jpg|thumb|A wind farm in [[County Wexford]]]]
[[File:IMG WindfarmKilmuck1920.jpg|thumb|A wind farm in [[County Wexford]]]]
[[ESB Electric Ireland|ESB]], [[Bord Gáis Energy]] and [[Airtricity]] are the three main electricity and gas suppliers in Ireland. There are 19.82&nbsp;billion cubic metres of proven reserves of gas.<ref name="CIA"/><ref>Bord Gáis (2006). [http://www.bgeuk.ie/corporate/index.jsp?1nID=93&2nID=97&3nID=354&nID=364 Natural Gas In Ireland.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227055815/http://www.bgeuk.ie/corporate/index.jsp?1nID=93&2nID=97&3nID=354&nID=364 |date=27 February 2012}} Gas and the Environment. Retrieved 8 August 2006.</ref> Natural gas extraction previously occurred at the [[Kinsale Head gas field|Kinsale Head]] until its exhaustion. The [[Corrib gas field]] was due to come on stream in 2013/14.<!--status?--> In 2012, the [[Barryroe]]<!--status?--> field was confirmed to have up to 1.6&nbsp;billion barrels of oil in reserve, with between 160 and 600&nbsp;million recoverable.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0726/1224320827565.html Providence hits high as potential oil yield revised]. ''The Irish Times '' (26 July 2012). Retrieved 16 July 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221061641/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0726/1224320827565.html |date=21 December 2012}}</ref> That could provide for Ireland's entire energy needs for up to 13 years, when it is developed in 2015/16.
Although multinational corporations dominate Ireland's export sector, exports from other sources also contribute significantly to the national income. The activities of multinational companies based in Ireland have made it one of the largest exporters of pharmaceutical agents, medical devices and software-related goods and services in the world. Ireland's exports also relate to the activities of large Irish companies (such as [[Ryanair]], [[Kerry Group]] and [[Smurfit Kappa Group]]) and exports of mineral resources: Ireland is the seventh largest producer of zinc concentrates, and the twelfth largest producer of lead concentrates. The country also has significant deposits of [[gypsum]], [[limestone]], and smaller quantities of copper, silver, gold, [[barite]], and [[dolomite]].<ref name="CIA"/> [[Tourism in Ireland]] contributes about 4% of GDP and is a significant source of employment.


There have been significant efforts to increase the use of renewable and sustainable forms of energy in Ireland, particularly in [[Wind power in the Republic of Ireland|wind power]], with 3,000 MegaWatts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/solar-energy-ireland-2-2709329-Apr2016/|title=Ireland's state power supplier is planning a major leap into solar energy |website=TheJournal.ie|date=11 April 2016 |access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731024852/http://www.thejournal.ie/solar-energy-ireland-2-2709329-Apr2016/|url-status=live}}</ref> of [[wind farm]]s being constructed, some for the purpose of export.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0717/329463-wind-farm-firm-to-create-2-000-jobs-by-2018/ Wind farm firm to create 2,000 jobs by 2018 – RTÉ News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022054906/http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0717/329463-wind-farm-firm-to-create-2-000-jobs-by-2018/ |date=22 October 2014 }}. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 16 July 2013.</ref> The [[Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland]] (SEAI) has estimated that 6.5% of Ireland's 2011 energy requirements were produced by renewable sources.<ref>{{citation|title=Renewable Energy in Ireland 2011|work=Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit, 2012 Report|page=3|publisher=Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland|date=June 2012|url= http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Renewable_Energy_in_Ireland_2011.pdf|access-date=5 August 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131115181705/http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Renewable_Energy_in_Ireland_2011.pdf|archive-date=15 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The SEAI has also reported an increase in energy efficiency in Ireland with a 28% reduction in carbon emissions per house from 2005 to 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ireland on course to meet Kyoto emissions targets|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/energy-and-resources/Ireland-on-course-to-meet-Kyoto-emissions-target-1.1631207|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219214200/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/energy-and-resources/ireland-on-course-to-meet-kyoto-emissions-targets-1.1631207|url-status=dead|author=Mark Paul|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 December 2013|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013}}</ref>
Other goods exports include agri-food, cattle, beef, dairy products, and aluminum. Ireland's major imports include data processing equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, and clothing. [[Financial services]] provided by multinational corporations based at the [[Irish Financial Services Centre]] also contribute to Irish exports.The difference between exports (€89.4 billion) and imports (€45.5 billion) resulted an annual trade surplus of €43.9 billion in 2010, which is the highest trade surplus relative to GDP achieved by any EU member state.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/statistics/botmaintrpartners.htm |title=CSO – Main Trading Partners 2010 |publisher=Cso.ie |accessdate=30 June 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>


As of 2021, Ireland was the 24th largest wind energy producer in the world and the 3rd ranked in 2020 on a per capita basis.<ref>{{cite web |title=RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2022 |url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf |website=irena.org |access-date=31 December 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411111224/https://irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
The EU is by far the country's largest trading partner, accounting for 57.9% of exports and 60.7% of imports. The United Kingdom is the most important trading partner within the EU, accounting for 15.4% of exports and 32.1% of imports. Outside the EU, the United States accounted for 23.2% of exports and 14.1% of imports in 2010.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
[[File:Famine sculpture in front of the International Financial Services Centre Dublin 2006.jpg|thumb|The [[International Financial Services Centre]] in Dublin, with the Famine memorial]]
[[ESB Electric Ireland|ESB]], [[Ervia]] and [[Airtricity]] are the three main electricity and gas suppliers in Ireland. There are 19.82 billion cubic metres of proven reserves of gas.<ref name="CIA"/><ref>Bord Gáis (2006). [http://www.bgeuk.ie/corporate/index.jsp?1nID=93&2nID=97&3nID=354&nID=364 Natural Gas In Ireland.]{{Dead link|date=September 2013}} Gas and the Environment. Retrieved on 8 August 2006.</ref> Natural gas extraction previously occurred at the [[Kinsale Head gas field|Kinsale Head]] until its exhaustion. The [[Corrib gas field]] is due to come on stream in 2013/14. In 2012, the [[Barryroe]] field was confirmed to have up to 1.6 billion barrels of oil in reserve, with between 160 and 600 million recoverable.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0726/1224320827565.html Providence hits high as potential oil yield revised - The Irish Times - Thu, 26 July 2012]. The Irish Times (26 July 2012). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref> That could provide for Ireland's entire energy needs for up to 13 years, when it is developed in 2015/16. There have been significant efforts to increase the use of renewable and sustainable forms of energy in Ireland, particularly in [[wind power]], with a large number [[wind farm]]s being constructed, some for the purpose of export.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0717/329463-wind-farm-firm-to-create-2-000-jobs-by-2018/ Wind farm firm to create 2,000 jobs by 2018 - RTÉ News]. Rte.ie. Retrieved on 16 July 2013.</ref> The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have estimated that 6.5 percent of Ireland's 2011 energy requirements were produced by renewable sources.<ref>{{citation |author=Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit |title=Renewable Energy in Ireland 2011 |work=2012 Report |page=3 |publisher=Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |date=June 2012 |url=http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Renewable_Energy_in_Ireland_2011.pdf |accessdate=5 August 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> The SEAI have also reported an increase in energy efficiency in Ireland with a 28% reduction in carbon emissions per house from the peak year (2005) to 2013.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/energy-and-resources/Ireland-on-course-to-meet-Kyoto-emissions-target-1.1631207 date December 2013 accessdate=19 December 2013]</ref>


===Transport===
===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in Ireland|Rail transport in Ireland|Roads in Ireland}}
{{Main|Transport in Ireland|Rail transport in Ireland|Roads in Ireland}}
[[File:Dublin Airport, May 2011 (05).JPG|thumb|Terminal 2 at [[Dublin Airport]]]]
The country's three main [[international airport]]s at [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]], [[Shannon Airport|Shannon]] and [[Cork Airport|Cork]] serve many European and intercontinental routes with scheduled and [[Air charter|chartered]] flights. The London and Dublin route is the busiest international air route in Europe, with 4.5 million people flying between the two cities in 2006.<ref>Seán McCárthaigh, [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2003/03/31/story437213650.asp Dublin–London busiest air traffic route within EU]{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}, ''Irish Examiner'', 31 March 2003</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = Heathrow dominates top 20|author = Mark Frary|url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/business/article1538856.ece|work = The Times| date = 19 March 2007|accessdate =4 July 2007|location=London}}</ref> [[Aer Lingus]] is the flag carrier of Ireland, although [[Ryanair]] is the country's largest airline. Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier,<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/04/16/business-eu-iceland-volcano-ryanair_7521491.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews Ash makes Ryanair cancel flights until Monday]{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}. ''Forbes''. 16 April 2010.</ref> the 2nd-largest in terms of passenger numbers, and the world's largest in terms of international passenger numbers.<ref name=watspax2007>{{cite web | publisher = [[International Air Transport Association]] | year=2008 | title = WATS Scheduled Passengers Carried 53rd Edition | url = http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/wats-passenger-carried.htm }}{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref>


The country's three main [[international airport]]s at [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]], [[Shannon Airport|Shannon]] and [[Cork Airport|Cork]] serve many European and intercontinental routes with scheduled and [[Air charter|chartered]] flights. The London to Dublin air route is the ninth busiest international air route in the world, and also the busiest international air route in Europe, with 14,500 flights between the two in 2017.<ref name="second-busiest"/><ref>{{cite news |archive-date=10 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110130714/https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/dublin-london-named-europes-busiest-11827578 |url-status=live |date=10 January 2018 |title=Dublin to London named Europe's busiest air route in new OAG report |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/dublin-london-named-europes-busiest-11827578 |access-date=30 January 2018 |first=Anita |last=McSorley |work=[[Irish Mirror]]}}</ref> In 2015, 4.5&nbsp;million people took the route, at that time, the world's second-busiest.<ref name="second-busiest">{{cite news|last1=O'Halloran|first1=Barry|title=Dublin-London second-busiest route in world|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/dublin-london-second-busiest-route-in-world-1.2508617|access-date=18 January 2018|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=25 January 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604175949/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/dublin-london-second-busiest-route-in-world-1.2508617|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Aer Lingus]] is the flag carrier of Ireland, although [[Ryanair]] is the country's largest airline. Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/04/16/business-eu-iceland-volcano-ryanair_7521491.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews |title=Ash makes Ryanair cancel flights until Monday |archive-date=19 April 2010 |via=[[Wayback Machine]] |work=[[Forbes]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419141444/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/04/16/business-eu-iceland-volcano-ryanair_7521491.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews |date=16 April 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref> the second largest in terms of passenger numbers, and the world's largest in terms of international passenger numbers.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[International Air Transport Association]] |year=2008 |title=WATS Scheduled Passengers Carried 53rd Edition |url=http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/wats-passenger-carried.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323213100/http://www.iata.org/ps/publications/wats-passenger-carried.htm |archive-date=23 March 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Intercity Heuston.jpg|thumb|left|[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]] train at [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Heuston station]]]]
Railway services are provided by [[Iarnród Éireann]], which operates all internal [[InterCity (Irish Rail)|intercity]], [[commuter]] and [[freight]] railway services in the country. Dublin is the centre of the network with two main stations, [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Heuston station]] and [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Connolly station]], linking to the country's cities and main towns. The [[Enterprise (train)|Enterprise]] service, which runs jointly with [[Northern Ireland Railways]], connects Dublin and [[Belfast]]. Dublin has a steadily improving public transport network including the [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]], [[Luas]], [[Dublin Bus]], and [[dublinbikes]].


[[File:Trains, Heuston Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 4947840.jpg|thumb|[[Iarnród Éireann]] trains at [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Heuston station]]]]
[[Motorways in the Republic of Ireland|Motorways]], [[national primary road]]s and [[national secondary road]]s are managed by the [[National Roads Authority]], while [[regional road]]s and [[Local Roads in Ireland|local roads]] are managed by the local authorities in each of their respective areas. The road network is primarily focused on the capital, but motorways have been extended to other cities as part of the ''[[Transport 21]]'' capital investment programme, as a result motorways have been completed between Dublin and a number of other major Irish cities including Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transport21.ie/What_Is_Transport_21/Transport_21/What_is_Transport_21.html |title=Transport 21 Website – What is Transport 21? |publisher=Transport21.ie |accessdate=30 June 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
Railway services are provided by [[Iarnród Éireann]] (Irish Rail), which operates all internal [[InterCity (Irish Rail)|intercity]], [[commuter]] and [[freight]] railway services in the country. Dublin is the centre of the network with two main stations, [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Heuston station]] and [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Connolly station]], linking to the country's cities and main towns. The [[Enterprise (train)|Enterprise]] service, which runs jointly with [[Northern Ireland Railways]], connects Dublin and [[Belfast]]. The whole of Ireland's mainline network operates on track with a [[Track gauge in Ireland|gauge of {{convert|5|ft|3|in|mm|abbr=on}}]], which is unique in Europe and has resulted in distinct rolling stock designs. Dublin's public transport network includes the [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]], [[Luas]], [[Dublin Bus]], and [[dublinbikes]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://eu2013.ie/ireland-and-the-presidency/about-ireland/welcometoireland/travellingarounddublinandireland/ | work = Ireland and the EU Presidency | publisher = eu2013.ie | title = Travelling around Dublin and Ireland | access-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-date = 28 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200728205851/http://eu2013.ie/ireland-and-the-presidency/about-ireland/welcometoireland/travellingarounddublinandireland/ | url-status = live }}</ref>


[[Motorways in the Republic of Ireland|Motorways]], [[national primary road]]s and [[national secondary road]]s are managed by [[Transport Infrastructure Ireland]], while [[regional road (Ireland)|regional roads]] and [[Local roads in Ireland|local roads]] are managed by the local authorities in each of their respective areas. The road network is primarily focused on the capital, but motorways connect it to other major Irish cities including Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transport21.ie/What_Is_Transport_21/Transport_21/What_is_Transport_21.html |title=Transport 21 Website – What is Transport 21? |publisher=Transport21.ie |access-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628025059/http://www.transport21.ie/What_Is_Transport_21/Transport_21/What_is_Transport_21.html |archive-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>
Dublin has been the focus of major projects such as the [[East-Link (Dublin)|East-Link]] and [[West-Link]] toll-bridges, as well as the [[Dublin Port Tunnel]]. The [[Jack Lynch Tunnel]], under the [[River Lee (Ireland)|River Lee]] in Cork, and the [[Limerick Tunnel]], under the [[River Shannon]], were two major projects outside Dublin. Several by-pass projects are underway at other urban areas.

Dublin is served by major infrastructure such as the [[East-Link (Dublin)|East-Link]] and [[West-Link]] toll-bridges, as well as the [[Dublin Port Tunnel]]. The [[Jack Lynch Tunnel]], under the [[River Lee (Ireland)|River Lee]] in Cork, and the [[Limerick Tunnel]], under the [[River Shannon]], were two major projects outside Dublin.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://constructionnews.ie/80-iconic-construction-projects-celebrate-cifs-eight-decades/ | magazine = Construction Magazine | via = constructionnews.ie | title = 80 Iconic Irish Construction Projects | year = 2015 | access-date = 3 December 2019 | archive-date = 3 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200803142823/https://constructionnews.ie/80-iconic-construction-projects-celebrate-cifs-eight-decades/ | url-status = live }}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Demographics of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{See also|Irish population analysis}}
{{See also|Historical population of Ireland}}
[[File:Population of Ireland 1951-2011.png|thumb|right|Population of Ireland since 1951.]]
[[File:Population of Ireland 1951-2011.png|thumb|Population of Ireland since 1951]]
Genetic research suggests that the earliest settlers migrated from [[Iberia]] following the most recent [[Quaternary glaciation|ice age]].<ref>[http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/mythsofbritishancestry/ "Myths of British ancestry"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030165740/https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/mythsofbritishancestry |date=30 October 2019 }} ''Prospect'' magazine</ref> After the [[Mesolithic]], [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]], migrants introduced a [[Celt]]ic language and culture. Migrants from the two latter eras still represent the genetic heritage of most [[Irish people]].<ref>''Origins of the British'', Stephen Oppenheimer, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite journal | pmc = 1182057 | pmid=15309688 | doi=10.1086/424697 | volume=75 | issue=4 | title=The Longue Durée of genetic ancestry: multiple genetic marker systems and Celtic origins on the Atlantic facade of Europe | date=October 2004 | journal=Am. J. Hum. Genet. | pages=693–702 | last1 = McEvoy | first1 = B | last2 = Richards | first2 = M | last3 = Forster | first3 = P | last4 = Bradley | first4 = DG}}</ref> [[Gaels|Gaelic]] tradition expanded and became the dominant form over time. Irish people are a combination of Gaelic, [[North Germanic peoples|Norse]], [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]], French, and British ancestry.

Genetic research suggests that the earliest settlers migrated from [[Iberia]] following the most recent [[Quaternary glaciation|ice age]].<ref>[http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/mythsofbritishancestry/ "Myths of British ancestry"] ''Prospect'' magazine</ref> After the [[Mesolithic]], [[Neolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]], migrants introduced a [[Celt]]ic language and culture. Migrants from the two latter eras still represent the genetic heritage of most [[Irish people]].<ref>''Origins of the British'', Stephen Oppenheimer, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1182057/?tool=pubmed The Longue Durée of Genetic Ancestry: Multiple Genetic Marker Systems and Celtic Origins on the Atlantic Facade of Europe] – PUBMED</ref> [[Gaels|Gaelic]] tradition expanded and became the dominant form over time. Irish people are a combination of Gaelic, [[Norsemen|Norse]], [[Anglo-Norman]], English, Scottish, French, and Welsh ancestry.

The population of Ireland stood at 4,588,252 in 2011, an increase of 8.2% since 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011pdr/Census%202011%20Highlights%20Part%201%20web%2072dpi.pdf |title=This is Ireland - Highlights from Census 2011, part 1 |format=PDF |date=March 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013| publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland}}</ref> As of 2011, Ireland had the highest birth rate in the European Union (16 births per 1,000 of population).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20797166 BBC News - Ireland continues to have highest birth rate in the European Union]. Bbc.co.uk (20 December 2012). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref> In 2012, 35.1% of births were to unmarried women.<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&plugin=0&language=en&pcode=tps00018 Eurostat - Tables, Graphs and Maps Interface (TGM) table]. Epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu (26 February 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref> Annual population growth rates exceeded 2% during the 2002-2006 intercensal period, which was attributed to high rates of [[natural increase]] and immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheykfauqlmh/ |title=Ireland's population still fastest-growing in EU |publisher=Thomas Crosbie Media |date=18 December 2007 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> This rate declined somewhat during the subsequent 2006-2011 intercensal period, with an average annual percentage change of 1.6%.


The population of Ireland stood at 5,149,139 in 2022, an increase of 8% since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpsr/censusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/ |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland}}</ref> {{As of|2011}}, Ireland had the highest birth rate in the European Union (16 births per 1,000 of population).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20797166 Ireland continues to have highest birth rate in the European Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213064356/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20797166 |date=13 February 2019 }}. BBC News. (20 December 2012). Retrieved 16 July 2013.</ref> In 2014, 36.3% of births were to unmarried women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-vsys/vitalstatisticsyearlysummary2014/|title=Vital Statistics Yearly Summary 2014 – CSO – Central Statistics Office|website=cso.ie|date=29 May 2015 |access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711172822/http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-vsys/vitalstatisticsyearlysummary2014/|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual population growth rates exceeded 2% during the 2002–2006 intercensal period, which was attributed to high rates of [[natural increase]] and immigration.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheykfauqlmh/ |title=Ireland's population still fastest-growing in EU |publisher=Thomas Crosbie Media |date=18 December 2007 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211090803/http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheykfauqlmh/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This rate declined somewhat during the subsequent 2006–2011 intercensal period, with an average annual percentage change of 1.6%. The [[total fertility rate]] (TFR) in 2017 was estimated at 1.80 children born per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1, it remains considerably below the high of 4.2 children born per woman in 1850.<ref>{{citation|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?tab=chart&year=1849&country=IRL|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|first=Max|last=Roser|year=2014|work=[[Our World in Data]], [[Gapminder Foundation]]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717171707/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?tab=chart&year=1849&country=IRL|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 the [[median age]] of the Irish population was 37.1 years.<ref>{{citation-attribution|1={{citation|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/|title=World Factbook EUROPE : IRELAND|work=[[The World Factbook]]|date=12 July 2018|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118202615/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/|url-status=live}} }}</ref>
At the time of 2011 census, the number of non-Irish nationals was recorded at 544,357, comprising 12% of the total population. This is nearly 2.5 times the number of non-Irish nationals recorded in the 2002 census (224,261), when the question of nationality was asked for the first time. The five largest non-national cohorts were Polish (122,585), UK (112,259), Lithuanian (36,683), Latvian (20,593) and Nigerian (17,642) respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011profile6/Profile%206%20Migration%20and%20Diversity%20entire%20doc.pdf |title=Profile 6 - Migration and Diversity |format=PDF |date=October 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013| publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland}}</ref>


At the time of the 2022 census, the number of non-Irish nationals was recorded at 631,785. This represents an 8% increase from the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] figure of 535,475.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpsr/censusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/ |access-date=2 July 2023 |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref> The five largest sources of non-Irish nationals were Poland (93,680), the UK (83,347), India (45,449), Romania (43,323), Lithuania (31,177), and Latvia (27,338) respectively. The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest increase from 2016 were India (+33,984), Romania (+14,137), Brazil (+13,698), Ukraine (+10,006). The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest decrease from 2016 were Poland (−28,835), UK (−19,766), Lithuania (−5,375), Latvia (−1,633), and Slovakia (−1,117).<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=Population Usually Resident and Present in the State |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/FY017 |access-date=2 July 2023 |publisher=Central Statistics Office}}</ref>
{{See also|List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population}}


{{See also|List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland}}
{| class="infobox" style="text-align:center; width:97%; margin-right:10px; font-size:90%"
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center; width:97%; margin-right:10px; font-size:90%"
! colspan="8" style="background:#e9e9e9; padding:0.3em; line-height:1.2em;"|Largest [[List of towns in the Republic of Ireland|urban centres]] by population
|+Largest [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]] by population (2022 census)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1013 |title=Population Density and Area Size F1013 |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |date=29 June 2023|access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
|-
!rowspan=30|
!rowspan=30|
[[File:Calatrava-bridge dublin.JPG|150px]]<br><small>[[Dublin]]</small><br/>
[[File:Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Dublin]]</small><br />[[File:View over Cork from St. Anne's Church, Cork - panoramio (5).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Cork (city)|Cork]]</small><br />
[[File:LimerickCity Riverpoint.jpg|150px]]<br><small>[[Limerick]]</small><br/>
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| <small>#</small>
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| <small>#</small>
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"| Settlement
! style="text-align:left; background:#f5f5f5;"| Settlement
Line 372: Line 411:
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| Population
! style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| Population
!rowspan=21|
!rowspan=21|
[[File:Cork City Hall - Anglesea Street - geograph.org.uk - 1405948.jpg|150px]]<br><small>[[Cork (city)|Cork]]</small><br/>
[[File:Limerick - Shannon River.JPG|150px]]<br /><small>[[Limerick]]</small><br />[[File:Galway (6254037166).jpg|150px]]<br /><small>[[Galway]]</small>
[[File:Galway Harbour 2007.jpg|150px]]<br><small>[[Galway]]</small><br/>
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 1 ||align=left | '''[[Dublin]]''' || 1,263,219
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 1 ||align=left | '''[[Dublin]]''' || 1,110,627<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35001 |title=Settlement Dublin City And Suburbs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 11 ||align=left | '''[[Ennis]]''' || 25,360
|| 11 ||align=left | '''[[Ennis]]''' || 27,923
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 2 ||align=left | '''[[Cork (city)|Cork]]''' || 222,526
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 2 ||align=left | '''[[Cork (city)|Cork]]''' || 198,582<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35002 |title=Settlement Cork City And Suburbs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 12 ||align=left | '''[[Kilkenny]]''' || 24,423
|| 12 ||align=left | '''[[Carlow]]''' || 27,351
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 3 ||align=left | '''[[Limerick]]''' || 102,287
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 3 ||align=left | '''[[Limerick]]''' || 91,454<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35003 |title=Settlement Limerick City And Suburbs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 13 ||align=left | '''[[Tralee]]''' || 23,693
|| 13 ||align=left | '''[[Kilkenny]]''' || 27,184
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 4 ||align=left | '''[[Galway]]''' || 85,910
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 4 ||align=left | '''[[Galway]]''' || 76,778<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35005 |title=Settlement Galway City And Suburbs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 14 ||align=left | '''[[Carlow]]''' || 23,030
|| 14 ||align=left | '''[[Naas]]''' || 26,180
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 5 ||align=left | '''[[Waterford]]''' || 60,079
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 5 ||align=left | '''[[Waterford]]''' || 51,519<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35004 |title=Settlement Waterford City And Suburbs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 15 ||align=left | '''[[Newbridge, County Kildare|Newbridge]]''' || 21,561
|| 15 ||align=left | '''[[Tralee]]''' || 26,079
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 6 ||align=left | '''[[Drogheda]]''' || 44,135
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 6 ||align=left | '''[[Drogheda]]''' || 38,578<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35009 |title=Settlement Drogheda Legal Town And Its Environs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 16 ||align=left | '''[[Naas]]''' || 20,713
|| 16 ||align=left | '''[[Newbridge, County Kildare|Newbridge]]''' || 24,366
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 8 ||align=left | '''[[Dundalk]]''' || 43,112
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 7 ||align=left | '''[[Dundalk]]''' || 37,816<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=10008 |title=Settlement Dundalk Legal Town And Its Environs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 17 ||align=left | '''[[Athlone]]''' || 20,153
|| 17 ||align=left | '''[[Balbriggan]]''' || 24,322
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 8 ||align=left | '''[[Swords, Dublin|Swords]]''' || 36,924<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=04014 |title=Settlement Swords |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 18 ||align=left | '''[[Portlaoise]]''' || 20,145
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 7 ||align=left | '''[[Swords, Dublin|Swords]]''' || 40,776
|| 18 ||align=left | '''[[Portlaoise]]''' || 23,494
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 9 ||align=left | '''[[Navan]]''' || 33,886
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 9 ||align=left | '''[[Bray]]''' || 31,872<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=35007 |title=Settlement Bray Legal Town And Its Environs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 19 ||align=left | '''[[Mullingar]]''' || 20,103
|| 19 ||align=left | '''[[Athlone]]''' || 22,869
|-
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 10 ||align=left | '''[[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]]''' || 33,512
| style="background:#f0f0f0"| 10 ||align=left | '''[[Navan]]''' || 28,559<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST&Geog_Code=11016 |title=Settlement Navan (An Uaimh) Legal Town And Its Environs |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> || 20 ||align=left | '''[[Wexford]]''' || 20,072
|| 20 ||align=left | '''[[Mullingar]]''' || 22,667
|}
|}
{{-}}
{{Clear}}


===Languages===
===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Ireland|Irish language|Hiberno-English|Mid Ulster English}}
{{Main|Languages of Ireland|Irish language|Hiberno-English|Mid Ulster English}}
[[File:Percentage stating they speak Irish daily outside the education system in the 2011 census.png|thumb|250px|The percentage who said they spoke Irish daily outside the education system in the 2011 census.]]
[[File:Percentage stating they speak Irish daily outside the education system in the 2011 census.png|thumb|Percentage of population speaking Irish daily (outside the education system) in the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]]]]
Irish is the "national language" according to the Constitution, but English is the dominant language. In the 2006 census, 39% of the population regarded themselves as competent in Irish. Irish is spoken as a community language only in a small number of rural areas mostly in the west of the country, collectively known as the [[Gaeltacht]]. Except in Gaeltacht regions, road signs are usually bilingual.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1970/en/si/0164.html |title=S.I. No. 164/1970: ROAD TRAFFIC (SIGNS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1970. |publisher=Irish Statute Book |date=16 July 1970 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> Most public notices and print media are in English only. Most Government publications are available in both languages, and citizens have the right to deal with the state in Irish. Media in Irish exist on TV ([[TG4]]), radio (e.g. [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]]) and print (e.g. [[Foinse]]). In the [[Irish Defence Forces]], all foot and arms drill commands are given in the Irish language.
The Irish Constitution describes Irish as the "national language" and the "first official language", but English (the "second official language") is the dominant language. In the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]], about 1.75 million people (40% of the population) said they were able to speak Irish but, of those, under 74,000 spoke it on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Irish Language and the Gaeltacht (within Census of Population 2016 – Profile 10 Education, Skills and the Irish Language) |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ |website=Central Statistics Office |publisher=Government of Ireland |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208225214/https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Irish is spoken as a community language only in a small number of rural areas mostly in the west and south of the country, collectively known as the [[Gaeltacht]]. Except in Gaeltacht regions, road signs are usually bilingual.<ref>{{cite ISB |year=1970|type=si|number=164 |name=Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations 1970 |date=16 July 1970 |access-date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=3 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503221548/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1970/en/si/0164.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Most public notices and print media are in English only. While the state is officially bilingual, citizens can often struggle to access state services in Irish and most government publications are not available in both languages, even though citizens have the right to deal with the state in Irish. Irish language media include the TV channel [[TG4]], the radio station [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]] and online newspaper [[Tuairisc.ie]]. In the [[Irish Defence Forces]], all foot and arms drill commands are given in the Irish language.


As a result of immigration, [[Polish language|Polish]] is the most widely spoken language in Ireland after English and Irish. Several other Central European languages (namely Czech, Hungarian and Slovak), as well as [[Baltic languages]] (Lithuanian and Latvian) are also spoken on a day-to-day basis. Other languages spoken in Ireland include [[Shelta]], spoken by Irish Travellers, and a dialect of [[Ulster Scots dialects|Scots]] is spoken by some descendants of [[Ulster Scots people|Scottish settlers]] in Donegal.<ref>[http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/what-is-ulster-scots/language/ An introduction to the Ulster-Scots Language], Ulster-Scots Agency.</ref> Most secondary school students choose to learn one or two foreign languages. Languages available for the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate include French, German, Italian and Spanish; Leaving Certificate students can also study Arabic, Japanese, Swedish, Finnish and Russian. Some secondary schools also offer [[Ancient Greek]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] and [[Latin]]. The study of Irish is compulsory for Leaving Certificate students, but some may qualify for an exemption in some circumstances, such as learning difficulties or entering the country after age 11.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=17216&language=EN&ecategory=42741&link=link001&doc=38941 |title=Pupils exempt from the study of the Irish language (per ''Circular M10/94 – Revision of Rule 46 of the "Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools" in relation to exemption from Irish'') |publisher=Department of Education and Skills |accessdate=27 October 2010 }}</ref>
As a result of immigration, [[Polish language|Polish]] is the most widely spoken language in Ireland after English, with Irish as the third most spoken.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0329/315449-divorce-rate-up-150-since-2002-census/|title=Irish is third most used language – Census|date=29 March 2012|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230185533/https://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0329/315449-divorce-rate-up-150-since-2002-census/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several other Central European languages (namely Czech, Hungarian and Slovak), as well as [[Baltic languages]] (Lithuanian and Latvian) are also spoken on a day-to-day basis. Other languages spoken in Ireland include [[Shelta]], spoken by Irish Travellers, and a dialect of [[Ulster Scots dialects|Scots]] is spoken by some [[Ulster Scots people]] in Donegal.<ref>[http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/what-is-ulster-scots/language/ An introduction to the Ulster-Scots Language] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901151749/http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/what-is-ulster-scots/language/ |date=1 September 2011 }}, Ulster-Scots Agency.</ref> Most secondary school students choose to learn one or two foreign languages. Languages available for the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate include French, German, Italian and Spanish; Leaving Certificate students can also study Arabic, Japanese and Russian. Some secondary schools also offer [[Ancient Greek]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] and [[Latin]]. The study of Irish is generally compulsory for Leaving Certificate students, but some may qualify for an exemption in some circumstances, such as learning difficulties or entering the country after age 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=17216&language=EN&ecategory=42741&link=link001&doc=38941 |title=Pupils exempt from the study of the Irish language (per ''Circular M10/94 – Revision of Rule 46 of the "Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools" in relation to exemption from Irish'') |publisher=Department of Education and Skills |access-date=27 October 2010 |archive-date=24 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124031052/http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=17216&language=EN&ecategory=42741&link=link001&doc=38941 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Healthcare===
===Healthcare===
{{Main|Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:R.C.S.I Disease Research Centre.jpg|thumb|[[RCSI]] Disease and Research Centre at [[Beaumont Hospital]] in [[Dublin]] city.]]
[[File:R.C.S.I Disease Research Centre.jpg|thumb|[[RCSI]] Disease and Research Centre at [[Beaumont Hospital, Dublin|Beaumont Hospital]] in [[Dublin]]]]
Healthcare in Ireland is provided by both public and private healthcare providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html|title=Health care|publisher=Irish Citizens Information Board|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102004014/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Minister for Health (Ireland)|Minister for Health]] has responsibility for setting overall health service policy. Every resident of Ireland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the [[Health Service Executive]] and funded by general taxation. A person may be required to pay a subsidised fee for certain health care received; this depends on income, age, illness or disability. All maternity services are provided free of charge and children up to the age of 6 months. Emergency care is provided to patients who present to a hospital emergency department. However, visitors to emergency departments in non-emergency situations who are not referred by their [[general practitioner|GP]] may incur a fee of €100. In some circumstances this fee is not payable or may be waived.<ref>{{citation|title=Charges for hospital services |publisher=Citizens Information board |date=26 July 2011}}</ref>
Although the Irish healthcare system comes under constant criticism from politicians and the public, Ireland has one of the most developed systems of healthcare in the world and healthcare professionals who are highly trained. Healthcare in Ireland is provided by both public and private healthcare providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/introduction_to_the_irish_system/health_care_in_ireland.html|title=Health care|publisher=Irish Citizens Information Board|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>

The [[Minister for Health (Ireland)|Minister for Health]] has responsibility for setting overall health service policy. Every resident of Ireland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the [[Health Service Executive]] and funded by general taxation. A person may be required to pay a subsidised fee for certain health care received; this depends on income, age, illness or disability. All maternity services are provided free of charge and children up to the age of 6 months. Emergency care is provided to patients who present to a hospital Emergency Department. However, visitors to Emergency Departments in non-emergency situations who are not referred by their [[general practitioner|GP]] may incur a fee of €100. In some circumstances this fee is not payable or may be waived.<ref>{{citation|title=Charges for hospital services |publisher=Citizens Information board |date=26 July 2011}}</ref>


Anyone holding a [[European Health Insurance Card]] is entitled to free maintenance and treatment in public beds in Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals. Outpatient services are also provided for free. However, the majority of patients on median incomes or above are required to pay subsidised hospital charges. Private health insurance is available to the population for those who want to avail of it.
Anyone holding a [[European Health Insurance Card]] is entitled to free maintenance and treatment in public beds in Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals. Outpatient services are also provided for free. However, the majority of patients on median incomes or above are required to pay subsidised hospital charges. Private health insurance is available to the population for those who want to avail of it.


The average [[life expectancy]] in Ireland in 2012 is 81 years ([[OECD]] average life expectancy in 2012 was 80 years), with 78.2 years for men and 83.6 years for women.<ref>[http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/Ireland/ OECD Better Life Index<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It has the highest birth rate in the EU (16.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 10.7)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0727/breaking38.html |title=Ireland has EU's highest birth rate |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date= 7 July 2010|accessdate=30 June 2011}}</ref> and a very low infant mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 [[Live birth (human)|live births]]). The Irish healthcare system ranked 13th out of 34 European countries in 2012 according to the [[European Health Consumer Index]] produced by [[Health Consumer Powerhouse]]. The same report ranked The Irish healthcare system as having the 8th best health outcomes but only the 21st most accessible system in Europe.
The average [[life expectancy]] in Ireland in 2021 was 82.4 years ([[List of countries by life expectancy#OECD_(2022)|OECD list]]), with 80.5 years for men and 84.3 years for women.<ref>{{cite web |title=Life expectancy at birth |url=https://data.oecd.org/healthstat/life-expectancy-at-birth.htm |website=OECD |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/Ireland/|title=OECD Better Life Index|website=oecdbetterlifeindex.org|access-date=30 July 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721180308/http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref> It has the highest birth rate in the EU (16.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 10.7)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-has-eu-s-highest-birth-rate-1.861676 |title=Ireland has EU's highest birth rate |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=7 July 2010 |access-date=30 June 2011 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-has-eu-s-highest-birth-rate-1.861676 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a very low infant mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 [[Live birth (human)|live births]]). The Irish healthcare system ranked 13th out of 34 European countries in 2012 according to the European Health Consumer Index produced by [[Health Consumer Powerhouse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Report-EHCI-2012.pdf|title=Euro Health Consumer Index 2012|publisher=[[Health Consumer Powerhouse]]|date=15 May 2012|access-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525195728/http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Report-EHCI-2012.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The same report ranked the Irish healthcare system as having the 8th best health outcomes but only the 21st most accessible system in Europe.


===Education===
===Education===
{{Main|Education in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Education in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:University-College-Cork-Panorama-2012.JPG|thumb|[[University College Cork]] was founded in 1845 and is a ''constituent university'' of the [[National University of Ireland]].]]
Ireland has three levels of education: primary, secondary and higher education. The education systems are largely under the direction of the Government via the [[Minister for Education and Skills]]. Recognised primary and secondary schools must adhere to the curriculum established by the relevant authorities. Education is compulsory between the ages of six and fifteen years, and all children up to the age of eighteen must complete the first three years of secondary, including one sitting of the [[Junior Certificate]] examination.<ref>Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 [http://193.178.1.79/ZZA22Y2000S17.html (Section 17)]{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
Ireland has three levels of education: primary, secondary and higher education. The education systems are largely under the direction of the Government via the [[Minister for Education (Ireland)|Minister for Education]]. Recognised primary and secondary schools must adhere to the curriculum established by the relevant authorities. Education is compulsory between the ages of six and fifteen years, and all children up to the age of eighteen must complete the first three years of secondary, including one sitting of the [[Junior Certificate]] examination.<ref>Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 [http://193.178.1.79/ZZA22Y2000S17.html (Section 17)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015328/http://193.178.1.79/ZZA22Y2000S17.html |date=30 September 2007}}</ref>

There are approximately 3,300 primary schools in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web | title=Minister Hanafin announces intention to pilot new additional model of Primary School Patronage | date=17 February 2007 | access-date=7 September 2010 | url=http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10861&language=EN&ecategory=41296&link=link001&doc=34229 | publisher=Department of Education and Skills | archive-date=26 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926034331/http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10861&language=EN&ecategory=41296&link=link001&doc=34229 | url-status=live }}</ref> The vast majority (92%) are under the patronage of the Catholic Church. Schools run by religious organisations, but receiving public money and recognition, cannot discriminate against pupils based upon religion or lack thereof. A sanctioned system of preference does exist, where students of a particular religion may be accepted before those who do not share the ethos of the school, in a case where a school's quota has already been reached.

[[File:Long Room Interior, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland - Diliff.jpg|thumb|The longroom at the [[Trinity College Library]]]]


The [[Irish Leaving Certificate|Leaving Certificate]], which is taken after two years of study, is the final examination in the secondary school system. Those intending to pursue higher education normally take this examination, with access to third-level courses generally depending on results obtained from the best six subjects taken, on a competitive basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationireland.ie/irish-education/secondary-education/leaving-certificate.html |title=Education Ireland – Leaving Certificate |publisher=Educationireland.ie |access-date=12 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029070824/http://educationireland.ie/irish-education/secondary-education/leaving-certificate.html |archive-date=29 October 2010}}</ref> Third-level education awards are conferred by at least 38 Higher Education Institutions – this includes the constituent or linked colleges of seven universities, plus other designated institutions of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. According to the 2022 US News rankings, Ireland is among the top twenty best countries for education.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Countries for Education |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education |website=US News |access-date=16 November 2022 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116042125/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-education |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:University College Cork - geograph.org.uk - 41771.jpg|thumb|right|[[University College Cork]] was founded in 1845 and is a ''constituent university'' of the [[National University of Ireland]].]]


The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks Ireland as having the fourth highest reading score, ninth highest science score and thirteenth highest mathematics score, among OECD countries, in its 2012 assessment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Irish teens perform significantly above average in maths, reading and science – OECD |work=Education |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490592-oecd |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490592-oecd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, Irish students aged 15 years had the second highest levels of reading literacy in the EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mip/measuringirelandsprogress2013/education/education-education/#d.en.75179 |title=CSO – Measuring Ireland's Progress 2013 |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2014 |access-date=27 August 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-mip/measuringirelandsprogress2013/education/education-education/#d.en.75179 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ireland also has 0.747 of the World's top 500 Universities per capita, which ranks the country in 8th place in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_uni_top_500_percap-universities-top-500-per-capita |title=World's top 500 Universities per capita |publisher=Nationmaster.com |access-date=30 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623192352/http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_uni_top_500_percap-universities-top-500-per-capita |archive-date=23 June 2011}}</ref> Primary, secondary and higher (university/college) level education are all free in Ireland for all EU citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Third-level student fees|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html|work=Free fees|publisher=Citizens Information Board|access-date=25 July 2010|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418150529/https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There are charges to cover student services and examinations.
The [[Irish Leaving Certificate|Leaving Certificate]], which is taken after two years of study, is the final examination in the secondary school system. Those intending to pursue higher education normally take this examination, with access to third-level courses generally depending on results obtained from the best six subjects taken, on a competitive basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationireland.ie/irish-education/secondary-education/leaving-certificate.html |title=Education Ireland – Leaving Certificate |publisher=Educationireland.ie |accessdate=12 November 2010}}{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> Third-level education awards are conferred by at least 38 Higher Education Institutions - this includes the constituent or linked colleges of seven universities, plus other designated institutions of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council.


In addition, 37 percent of Ireland's population has a university or [[college degree]], which is among the highest percentages in the world.<ref>Michael B. Sauter and Alexander E. M. Hess, [http://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/09/21/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world/ The Most Educated Countries in the World] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104104554/http://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/09/21/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world/ |date=4 November 2015 }}, 24/7 Wall St., 21 September 2012</ref><ref>Samantha Grossman, [https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/09/27/and-the-worlds-most-educated-country-is/ And the World's Most Educated Country Is...] , ''Time'', 27 September 2012</ref>
The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks Ireland as having the fourth highest reading score, ninth highest science score and thirteenth highest mathematics score, among OECD countries, in its 2012 assessment<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490592-oecd access date 31 March 2014]{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> In 2006, Irish students aged 15 years had the second highest levels of reading literacy in the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/newsevents/pressrelease_measuringirelandsprogress2008.htm |title=CSO – Measuring Ireland's Progress |publisher=Cso.ie |date=11 August 2009 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref> Ireland also has 0.747 of the World's top 500 Universities per capita, which ranks the country in 8th place in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_uni_top_500_percap-universities-top-500-per-capita |title=World's top 500 Universities per capita |publisher=Nationmaster.com |accessdate=30 June 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref> Primary, secondary and higher (University/College) level education are all free in Ireland for all EU citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Third-level student fees|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html|work=Free fees|publisher=Citizens Information Board|accessdate=25 July 2010}}</ref> There are charges to cover student services and examinations.


===Religion===
===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Religion in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{bar box
{{bar box
|title= Religion in the Republic of Ireland<ref name="REL">{{cite web | date = 30 May 2023 | title = Population Usually Resident and Present in the State| url=https://data.cso.ie/table/FY032| publisher = CSO.ie | agency = Central Statistics Office | access-date = 2 June 2023}}</ref>
|title= Religion in Republic of Ireland
|titlebar=#ddd
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religion
|left1=Religion
Line 434: Line 485:
|float=right
|float=right
|bars=
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholic]]|DodgerBlue|84.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic Church]]|DarkGreen|69.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|Non-religious]]|DarkOrchid|6.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland|Non-religious]]|Blue|14.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestant]]|SlateGray|4.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Protestantism in the Republic of Ireland|Protestant]]|Violet|4.0}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Ireland|Muslim]]|LimeGreen|1.1}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in the Republic of Ireland|Muslim]]|Black|1.6}}
{{bar percent|Other|Magenta|2.8}}
{{bar percent|Not Stated|Pink|6.7}}
{{bar percent|Other|Orange|4.1}}
}}
}}


Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland. [[Christianity in Ireland|Christianity]] is the predominant religion, with the [[Roman Catholic Church]] as the largest church. In 2011, 84.2% of the population identified themselves as Roman Catholic, 4.6% as Protestant or another Christian religion, 1.1% as Muslim, and 6.2% as having no religion.<ref name="Final Principal Demographic Results 2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011profile7/Profile,7,Education,Ethnicity,and,Irish,Traveller,entire,doc.pdf |title=Amended Final Principal Demographic Results 2011 |format=PDF |year=2011 |accessdate=27 February 2014}}</ref> According to a [[Georgetown University]] study, the country has one of the highest rates of regular [[Roman Catholic Mass|Mass]] attendance in the [[Western world]].<ref>Weekly Mass Attendance of Catholics in Nations with Large Catholic Populations, 1980–2000] – [[World Values Survey]] (WVS)</ref>
Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland, and the country's constitution has been [[secular state|secular]] since 1973. [[Christianity in Ireland|Christianity]] is the predominant religion, and while Ireland remains a predominantly Catholic country, the percentage of the population who identified as Catholic on the census fell sharply from 84.2 percent in the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]] to 78.3 percent in 2016 and 69 percent in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Statement Census 2016 Results Profile 8 - Irish Travellers, Ethnicity and Religion - CSO - Central Statistics Office |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2017pressreleases/pressstatementcensus2016resultsprofile8-irishtravellersethnicityandreligion/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.cso.ie |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=Religion - CSO - Central Statistics Office |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpp5/census2022profile5-diversitymigrationethnicityirishtravellersreligion/religion/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.cso.ie |language=en}}</ref> Other results from the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] were: 4.2% [[Protestantism|Protestant]], 1.3% Orthodox, 1.3% as Muslim, and 9.8% as having no religion.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/census-2016-summary-results-part-1-full.pdf |title= Census 2016 Summary Results – Part 1 |date= 6 April 2017 |access-date= 6 April 2017 |archive-date= 5 August 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190805070538/https://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/census-2016-summary-results-part-1-full.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref> According to a [[Georgetown University]] study, before 2000 the country had one of the highest rates of regular [[Mass in the Catholic Church|mass]] attendance in the [[Western world]].<ref>Weekly Mass Attendance of Catholics in Nations with Large Catholic Populations, 1980–2000 – [[World Values Survey]] (WVS)</ref>
While daily attendance was 13% in 2006, there was a reduction in weekly attendance from 81% in 1990 to 48% in 2006, although the decline was reported as stabilising.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44521 Irish Mass attendance below 50%] ''Catholic World News'' 1 June 2006</ref> In 2011, it was reported that weekly Mass attendance in Dublin was just 18%, with it being even lower among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0530/1224298059533.html |title=Fewer than one in five attend Sunday Mass in Dublin'|publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=30 May 2011 |accessdate=30 June 2011 |first=Jamie |last=Smyth}}</ref>
While daily attendance was 13% in 2006, there was a reduction in weekly attendance from 81% in 1990 to 48% in 2006; the decline was reported as stabilising, though.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44521 Irish Mass attendance below 50%] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503190240/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=44521 |date=3 May 2011 }} ''Catholic World News'' 1 June 2006</ref> In 2011, it was reported that weekly mass attendance in Dublin was 18% and even lower among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/fewer-than-one-in-five-attend-sunday-mass-in-dublin-1.585731 |title=Fewer than one in five attend Sunday Mass in Dublin' |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=30 June 2011 |first=Jamie |last=Smyth |archive-date=8 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108154007/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/fewer-than-one-in-five-attend-sunday-mass-in-dublin-1.585731 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:St. Finbarr's Cathedral, Cork - geograph.org.uk - 661104.jpg|thumb|left|[[Saint Finbarre's Cathedral]] is a cathedral of the [[Church of Ireland]] in [[Cork (city)|Cork]] city.]]
[[File:St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin 2023 (2).jpg|thumb|[[St Mary's Pro-Cathedral]] is the seat of the Catholic Church in [[Dublin]].]]
[[File:Dublin St. Patrick's Cathedral Exterior North Side 02.jpg|thumb|[[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin]], is the national Cathedral of the [[Church of Ireland]].]]
The [[Church of Ireland]] is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century, but has recently experienced an increase, as have other small Christian denominations. Significant Protestant denominations are the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian Church]] and [[Methodist Church in Ireland|Methodist Church]]. Immigration has contributed to a growth in [[Hinduism in Ireland|Hindu]] and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]] and Islam were the fastest growing religions, with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.<ref>{{cite book|title=Final Principal Demographic Results 2006|url=http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf|accessdate=20 June 2010|year=2007|publisher=Central Statistics Office |isbn=0-7557-7169-9|pages=31 (Table Q)}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>


The [[Church of Ireland]], at 2.7% of the population, is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century but experienced an increase early in the 21st century alongside other Christian denominations. Other significant Protestant denominations are the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland|Presbyterian Church]] and [[Methodist Church in Ireland|Methodist Church]]. Immigration has contributed to a growth in [[Hinduism in the Republic of Ireland|Hindu]] and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, as of the 2006 census, [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]] and [[Islam]] were the fastest growing religions with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.<ref>{{cite book|title=Final Principal Demographic Results 2006 |url=http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf |access-date=20 June 2010 |year=2007 |publisher=Central Statistics Office |isbn=978-0-7557-7169-1 |pages=31 (Table Q) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325005303/http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009}}</ref>
Ireland's patron saints are [[Saint Patrick]], [[Brigid of Kildare|Saint Bridget]] and [[Columba|Saint Columba]]. Saint Patrick is the only one commonly recognised as the patron saint. [[Saint Patrick's Day]] is celebrated on 17 March in Ireland and abroad as the Irish national day, with parades and other celebrations.


Ireland's patron saints are [[Saint Patrick]], [[Brigid of Kildare|Saint Bridget]], and [[Columba|Saint Columba]]; Saint Patrick is commonly recognised as the primary patron saint.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.galwaytourism.ie/a-history-of-st-patrick-patron-saint-of-ireland/ | website = galwaytourism.ie | title = A history of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland | date = March 2024 | accessdate = 5 July 2024 }}</ref> [[Saint Patrick's Day]] is celebrated on 17 March in Ireland and abroad as the Irish national day with parades and other celebrations.
As with other predominantly Catholic European states, Ireland underwent a period of legal secularisation in the late twentieth century. In 1972, the article of the Constitution naming specific religious groups was deleted by the [[Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fifth Amendment]] in a referendum. Article 44 still remains in the Constitution: ''The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion.'' The article also establishes freedom of religion, prohibits endowment of any religion, prohibits the state from religious discrimination, and requires the state to treat religious and non-religious schools in a non-prejudicial manner.


As with other traditionally Catholic European states, such as Spain and Italy,<ref>{{cite book | title = Religion in Europe at the End of the Second Millenium - A Sociological Profile | editor-first = Andrew M. | editor-last = Greeley | isbn = 9780765808219 | date = 2004 | publisher = Routledge | page = 208 }}</ref> Ireland underwent a period of legal secularisation in the late twentieth century. In 1972, the article of the Constitution naming specific religious groups was deleted by the [[Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fifth Amendment]] in a referendum. Article 44 remains in the Constitution: "The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion." The article also establishes freedom of religion, prohibits endowment of any religion, prohibits the state from religious discrimination, and requires the state to treat religious and non-religious schools in a non-prejudicial manner.
[[Religious studies]] was introduced as an optional Junior Certificate subject in 2001. Although many schools are run by religious organisations, a secularist trend is occurring among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Daniszewski|first=John|title=Catholicism Losing Ground in Ireland|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-ireland17apr17-story.html#page=1|newspaper=LA Times|accessdate=29 August 2011|date=17 April 2005}} {{cite news|last=Lawler|first=Phil|title=Ireland threatened by secularism, Pope tells new envoy|url=http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=53564|accessdate=29 August 2011|newspaper=Catholic World News|date=17 September 2007}} {{cite web|title=Irish poll shows parents no longer want to force religion on to children|url=http://www.secularism.org.uk/irishpollshowsparentsnolongerwan.html|publisher=National Secular Society|accessdate=29 August 2011|location=United Kingdom|date=13 April 2007}}</ref> Religious schools cannot discriminate against pupils concerning religion. A sanctioned system of preference does exist, where students of a particular religion may be accepted before those who do not share the ethos of the school, in a case where a school's quota has already been reached.

Although most [[Denominational education in the Republic of Ireland|schools in Ireland are patronised by religious organisations]], government policy has been to "transfer" some schools to non-denominational or multi-denominational patronage,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2023/12/28/parents-to-be-polled-next-year-on-multi-denominational-education-in-effort-to-accelerate-school-choice/ | website = Irish Times | title = Parents to be polled next year on multi-denominational education in effort to 'accelerate' school choice | date = 27 December 2023 | accessdate = 5 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Irish poll shows parents no longer want to force religion on to children|url=http://www.secularism.org.uk/irishpollshowsparentsnolongerwan.html|publisher=National Secular Society|access-date=29 August 2011|location=United Kingdom|date=13 April 2007|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927164507/http://www.secularism.org.uk/irishpollshowsparentsnolongerwan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and a secularist trend is occurring among younger generations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Daniszewski|first=John|title=Catholicism Losing Ground in Ireland|url=https://latimes.com/news/la-fg-ireland17apr17-story.html#page=1|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=29 August 2011|date=17 April 2005|archive-date=21 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321102705/http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-ireland17apr17-story.html#page=1|url-status=live}} {{cite news|last=Lawler|first=Phil|title=Ireland threatened by secularism, Pope tells new envoy|url=http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=53564|access-date=29 August 2011|newspaper=Catholic World News|date=17 September 2007|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610073112/http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=53564|url-status=live}} </ref>


==Culture==
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Ireland}}
{{Main|Culture of Ireland}}
Ireland's culture was for centuries predominantly [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]], and it remains one of the six principal [[Celtic nations]]. Following the [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] invasion in the 12th century, and gradual British conquest and colonisation beginning in the 16th century, Ireland became influenced by English and Scottish culture. Subsequently, Irish culture, though distinct in many aspects, shares characteristics with the rest of the [[Anglosphere]], [[Catholic Europe]], and other Celtic regions. The [[Irish diaspora]], one of the world's largest and most dispersed, has contributed to the globalisation of Irish culture, producing many prominent figures in art, music, and science.

Ireland's culture was for centuries predominantly [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]], and it remains one of the six principal [[Celtic nations]]. Following the [[Anglo-Norman]] invasion in the 12th century, and gradual British conquest and colonisation beginning in the 16th century, Ireland became influenced by English and Scottish culture. Subsequently, Irish culture, though distinct in many aspects, shares characteristics with the [[Anglosphere]], [[Catholic Europe]], and other Celtic regions. The [[Irish diaspora]], one of the world's largest and most dispersed, has contributed to the globalisation of Irish culture, producing many prominent figures in art, music, and science.


===Literature===
===Literature===
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Ireland has made a significant contribution to world literature in both the English and Irish languages. Modern [[Irish fiction]] began with the publishing of the 1726 novel ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' by [[Jonathan Swift]]. Other writers of importance during the 18th century and their most notable works include [[Laurence Sterne]] with the publication of ''[[The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman]]'' and [[Oliver Goldsmith]]'s ''[[The Vicar of Wakefield]]''. Numerous [[List of Irish novelists|Irish novelists]] emerged during the 19th century, including [[Maria Edgeworth]], [[John Banim]], [[Gerald Griffin]], [[Charles Kickham]], [[William Carleton]], [[George A. Moore|George Moore]], and [[Somerville and Ross]]. [[Bram Stoker]] is best known as the author of the 1897 novel ''[[Dracula]]''.
Ireland has made a significant contribution to world literature in both the English and Irish languages. Modern [[Irish fiction]] began with the publishing of the 1726 novel ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' by [[Jonathan Swift]]. Other writers of importance during the 18th century and their most notable works include [[Laurence Sterne]] with the publication of ''[[The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman]]'' and [[Oliver Goldsmith]]'s ''[[The Vicar of Wakefield]]''. Numerous [[List of Irish novelists|Irish novelists]] emerged during the 19th century, including [[Maria Edgeworth]], [[John Banim]], [[Gerald Griffin]], [[Charles Kickham]], [[William Carleton]], [[George A. Moore|George Moore]], and [[Somerville and Ross]]. [[Bram Stoker]] is best known as the author of the 1897 novel ''[[Dracula]]''.


[[James Joyce]] (1882–1941) published his most famous work ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]'' in 1922, which is an interpretation of the ''[[Odyssey]]'' set in Dublin. [[Edith Anna Somerville|Edith Somerville]] continued writing after the death of her partner [[Violet Florence Martin|Martin Ross]] in 1915. Dublin's [[Annie M. P. Smithson]] was one of several authors catering for fans of romantic fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War, popular novels were published by, among others, Brian O'Nolan, who published as [[Flann O'Brien]], [[Elizabeth Bowen]], and [[Kate O'Brien]]. During the final decades of the 20th century, [[Edna O'Brien]], [[John McGahern]], [[Maeve Binchy]], [[Joseph O'Connor]], [[Roddy Doyle]], [[Colm Tóibín]], and [[John Banville]] came to the fore as novelists.
[[James Joyce]] (1882–1941) published his most famous work ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]'' in 1922, which is an interpretation of the ''[[Odyssey]]'' set in Dublin. [[Edith Anna Somerville|Edith Somerville]] continued writing after the death of her partner [[Violet Florence Martin|Martin Ross]] in 1915. Dublin's [[Annie M. P. Smithson]] was one of several authors catering for fans of romantic fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War, popular novels were published by, among others, Brian O'Nolan, who published as [[Flann O'Brien]], [[Elizabeth Bowen]], and [[Kate O'Brien (novelist)|Kate O'Brien]]. During the final decades of the 20th century, [[Edna O'Brien]], [[John McGahern]], [[Maeve Binchy]], [[Joseph O'Connor]], [[Roddy Doyle]], [[Colm Tóibín]], and [[John Banville]] came to the fore as novelists.


[[File:Yeats1923.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[W. B. Yeats]] (1865–1939)]]
[[File:Yeats Boughton.jpg|thumb|upright|[[W. B. Yeats]] (1865–1939)]]


[[Patricia Lynch]] (1898–1972) was a prolific children's author, while [[Eoin Colfer]] has been particularly successful in this genre in recent years. In the genre of the short story, which is a form favoured by many Irish writers, the most prominent figures include [[Seán Ó Faoláin]], [[Frank O'Connor]] and [[William Trevor]]. Well known Irish poets include [[Patrick Kavanagh]], [[Thomas McCarthy (poet)|Thomas McCarthy]], [[Dermot Bolger]], and [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] laureates [[W. B. Yeats|William Butler Yeats]] and [[Seamus Heaney]] (born in Northern Ireland but resided in Dublin). Prominent writers in the Irish language are [[Pádraic Ó Conaire]], [[Máirtín Ó Cadhain]], [[Séamus Ó Grianna]], and [[Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill]].
[[Patricia Lynch]] was a prolific children's author in the 20th century, while [[Eoin Colfer]]'s works were [[New York Times Best Seller|NYT Best Sellers]] in this genre in the early 21st century.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/eoin-colfer-signs-artemis-fowl-spin-off-series-deal-1.3457107 | newspaper = The Irish Times | title = Eoin Colfer signs Artemis Fowl spin-off series deal | date = 11 April 2018 | access-date = 5 September 2018 | quote = Colfer is The New York Times best-selling author of eight books in the Artemis Fowl series, with sales in excess of 25&nbsp;million copies | archive-date = 9 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025541/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/eoin-colfer-signs-artemis-fowl-spin-off-series-deal-1.3457107 | url-status = live }}</ref> In the genre of the short story, which is a form favoured by many Irish writers, the most prominent figures include [[Seán Ó Faoláin]], [[Frank O'Connor]] and [[William Trevor]]. Well known Irish poets include [[Patrick Kavanagh]], [[Thomas McCarthy (poet)|Thomas McCarthy]], [[Dermot Bolger]], and [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] laureates [[W. B. Yeats|William Butler Yeats]] and [[Seamus Heaney]] (born in Northern Ireland but resided in Dublin). Prominent writers in the Irish language are [[Pádraic Ó Conaire]], [[Máirtín Ó Cadhain]], [[Séamus Ó Grianna]], and [[Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill]].


The history of [[Irish theatre]] begins with the expansion of the English administration in Dublin during the early 17th century, and since then, Ireland has significantly contributed to English drama. In its early history, theatrical productions in Ireland tended to serve political purposes, but as more theatres opened and the popular audience grew, a more diverse range of entertainments were staged. Many Dublin-based theatres developed links with their London equivalents, and British productions frequently found their way to the Irish stage. However, most Irish playwrights went abroad to establish themselves. In the 18th century, [[Oliver Goldsmith]] and [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]] were two of the most successful playwrights on the London stage at that time. At the beginning of the 20th century, theatre companies dedicated to the staging of Irish plays and the development of writers, directors and performers began to emerge, which allowed many Irish playwrights to learn their trade and establish their reputations in Ireland rather than in Britain or the United States. Following in the tradition of acclaimed practitioners, principally [[Oscar Wilde]] and Literature Nobel Prize laureates [[George Bernard Shaw]] (1925), and [[Samuel Beckett]] (1969), playwrights such as [[Seán O'Casey]], [[Brian Friel]], [[Sebastian Barry]], [[Brendan Behan]], [[Conor McPherson]], and [[Billy Roche]] have gained popular success.<ref>{{cite book|last =Houston|first =Eugenie|title =Working and Living in Ireland|publisher =Working and Living Publications|year =2001|isbn=0-9536896-8-9}}</ref> Other Irish playwrights of the 20th century include [[Denis Johnston]], [[Thomas Kilroy]], [[Tom Murphy (playwright)|Tom Murphy]], [[Hugh Leonard]], [[Frank McGuinness]], and [[John B. Keane]].
The history of [[Irish theatre]] begins with the expansion of the English administration in Dublin during the early 17th century, and since then, Ireland has significantly contributed to English drama. In its early history, theatrical productions in Ireland tended to serve political purposes, but as more theatres opened and the popular audience grew, a more diverse range of entertainments were staged. Many Dublin-based theatres developed links with their London equivalents, and British productions frequently found their way to the Irish stage. However, most Irish playwrights went abroad to establish themselves. In the 18th century, [[Oliver Goldsmith]] and [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]] were two of the most successful playwrights on the London stage at that time. At the beginning of the 20th century, theatre companies dedicated to the staging of Irish plays and the development of writers, directors and performers began to emerge, which allowed many Irish playwrights to learn their trade and establish their reputations in Ireland rather than in Britain or the United States. Following in the tradition of acclaimed practitioners, principally [[Oscar Wilde]], Literature Nobel Prize laureates [[George Bernard Shaw]] (1925) and [[Samuel Beckett]] (1969), playwrights such as [[Seán O'Casey]], [[Brian Friel]], [[Sebastian Barry]], [[Brendan Behan]], [[Conor McPherson]] and [[Billy Roche]] have gained popular success.<ref>{{cite book|last =Houston|first =Eugenie|title =Working and Living in Ireland|publisher =Working and Living Publications|year =2001|isbn =0-9536896-8-9|url-access =registration |url =https://archive.org/details/workinglivingini00euge |page=299}}</ref> Other Irish playwrights of the 20th century include [[Denis Johnston]], [[Thomas Kilroy]], [[Tom Murphy (playwright)|Tom Murphy]], [[Hugh Leonard]], [[Frank McGuinness]], and [[John B. Keane]].


===Music and dance===
===Music and dance===
{{Main|Irish music|Irish dance}}
{{Main|Irish music|Irish dance}}
[[Folk music of Ireland|Irish traditional music]] has remained vibrant, despite globalising cultural forces, and retains many traditional aspects. It has influenced various music genres, such as American country and roots music, and to some extent modern rock. It has occasionally been blended with styles such as rock and roll and punk rock. Ireland has also produced many internationally known artists in other genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues.


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| image1 = Enya - The Orlando Sentinel (1989) (cropped).jpg
There are a number of classical music ensembles around the country, such as the [[RTÉ Performing Groups]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmc.ie/links/index.html |title=Contemporary Music Ireland |publisher=Contemporary Music Centre – Links |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> Ireland also has three opera organisations. Opera Ireland produces large-scale operas in Dublin, the Opera Theatre Company tours its chamber-style operas throughout the country, and the annual [[Wexford Festival Opera|Wexford Opera Festival]], which promotes lesser-known operas, takes place during October and November.
| alt1 = Enya
| caption1 = [[Enya]]; Ireland's best–selling solo artist<ref>{{cite web |last1=English |first1=Eoin |title=Hark! The herald Enya sings in historic Cork chapel |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20431919.html |website=Irish Examiner |access-date=17 August 2024 |language=en |date=23 November 2016}}</ref>


| image2 = U2 performing at Sphere in Las Vegas on Feb 15 2024 by Jerome Krailiger (2).jpg
Ireland has participated in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] since 1965.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rte.ie/ten/2001/0404/mooreb.html |title=Showband legend Butch Moore dies |publisher=[[RTÉ]] |date=4 April 2001 |accessdate=9 February 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref> Its first win was in 1970, when [[Dana Rosemary Scallon|Dana]] won with ''[[All Kinds of Everything]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/thedailyshow/2011/0307/dana107.html |title=Dana |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |work=The Daily Show: Celebrity Guests |date=11 March 2011 |accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref> It has subsequently won the competition [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest|six more times]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/stats.htm |title=Eurovision Song Contest Statistics |publisher=eurovisioncovers.co.uk |year=2011 |accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/a_little_bit_eurovision.html |title=A Little Bit Eurovision |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |date=6 July 2011 |accessdate=9 February 2012}}</ref> the highest number of wins by any competing country. The phenomenon ''[[Riverdance]]'' originated as an interval performance during the [[1994 Eurovision Song Contest|1994 contest]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/radio1/stephensday/1030324.html |title=On The Road with Riverdance |publisher=[[RTÉ Radio 1]] |date=1 December 2004 |accessdate=9 February 2012}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
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| caption2 = [[U2]]; best–selling Irish group in history<ref>{{cite web |title=Bono: The missionary - People, News - The Independent |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article364606.ece |access-date=17 August 2024 |date=10 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010121100/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article364606.ece |archive-date=10 October 2008 }}</ref>

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[[Folk music of Ireland|Irish traditional music]] has remained vibrant, despite globalising cultural forces, and retains many traditional aspects. It has influenced various music genres, such as American country and roots music, and to some extent modern rock. It has occasionally been blended with styles such as rock and roll and punk rock. Ireland has also produced many internationally known artists in other genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues. Ireland's best selling musical act is the rock band [[U2]], who have sold 170&nbsp;million copies of their albums worldwide since their formation in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u2-what-theyre-still-looking-for/3/|title=U2: What they're still looking for|publisher=[[CBS News]]|first=Anthony|last=Mason|date=24 May 2015|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601203109/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u2-what-theyre-still-looking-for/3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are a number of classical music ensembles around the country, such as the [[RTÉ Performing Groups]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmc.ie/links/index.html |title=Contemporary Music Ireland |publisher=Contemporary Music Centre – Links |access-date=9 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224073202/http://www.cmc.ie/links/index.html |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Ireland also has two opera organisations: [[Irish National Opera]] in Dublin, and the annual [[Wexford Festival Opera|Wexford Opera Festival]], which promotes lesser-known operas, takes place during October and November.

Ireland has participated in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] since 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2001/0404/mooreb.html |title=Showband legend Butch Moore dies |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] |date=4 April 2001 |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811173736/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2001/0404/mooreb.html |archive-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> Its first win was in 1970, when [[Dana Rosemary Scallon|Dana]] won with ''[[All Kinds of Everything]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/thedailyshow/2011/0307/dana107.html |title=Dana |work=The Daily Show: Celebrity Guests |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811024144/http://www.rte.ie/tv/thedailyshow/2011/0307/dana107.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has subsequently won the competition [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest|six more times]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/stats.htm |title=Eurovision Song Contest Statistics |publisher=eurovisioncovers.co.uk |year=2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102232747/http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/stats.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/a_little_bit_eurovision.html |title=A Little Bit Eurovision |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=19 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219230315/http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/a_little_bit_eurovision.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the highest number of wins by any competing country. The phenomenon ''[[Riverdance]]'' originated as an interval performance during the [[1994 Eurovision Song Contest|1994 contest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/radio1/stephensday/1030324.html |title=On The Road with Riverdance |publisher=[[RTÉ Radio 1]] |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124221048/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/stephensday/1030324.html |archive-date=24 November 2012}}</ref>


Irish dance can broadly be divided into [[social dance]] and [[performance dance]]. Irish social dance can be divided into ''céilí'' and set dancing. Irish [[set dance]]s are [[quadrilles]], danced by 4 couples arranged in a square, while [[Ceili dance|céilí dances]] are danced by varied [[Formation dance|formations]] of couples of 2 to 16 people. There are also many stylistic differences between these two forms. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the country. In some places dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed. Performance dance is traditionally referred to as [[step dance|stepdance]]. [[Irish stepdance]], popularised by the show ''[[Riverdance]]'', is notable for its rapid leg movements, with the body and arms being kept largely stationary. The solo stepdance is generally characterised by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet. The solo dances can either be in "soft shoe" or "hard shoe".
Irish dance can broadly be divided into [[social dance]] and [[performance dance]]. Irish social dance can be divided into ''céilí'' and set dancing. Irish [[set dance]]s are [[quadrilles]], danced by 4 couples arranged in a square, while [[Ceili dance|céilí dances]] are danced by varied [[Formation dance|formations]] of couples of 2 to 16 people. There are also many stylistic differences between these two forms. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the country. In some places dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed. Performance dance is traditionally referred to as [[step dance|stepdance]]. [[Irish stepdance]], popularised by the show ''[[Riverdance]]'', is notable for its rapid leg movements, with the body and arms being kept largely stationary. The solo stepdance is generally characterised by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet. The solo dances can either be in "soft shoe" or "hard shoe".
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===Architecture===
===Architecture===
{{Main|Architecture of Ireland}}
{{Main|Architecture of Ireland}}
{{Multiple image
[[File:Paulnabrone.jpg|thumb|left|[[Poulnabrone dolmen]] in [[County Clare]] was built during the [[Neolithic]] period.]]
| caption_align = center
Ireland has a wealth of structures,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.megalithomania.com/|publisher=Megalithomania|title=The Megalithic Monuments of Ireland|accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref> surviving in various states of preservation, from the [[Neolithic]] period, such as ''[[Brú na Bóinne]]'', [[Poulnabrone dolmen]], [[Castlestrange stone]], [[Turoe stone]], and [[Drombeg stone circle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/prehistoric.htm|publisher=About.com|title=The Prehistoric Monuments of Ireland|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> As the Romans never conquered Ireland, architecture of [[Greco-Roman]] origin is extremely rare. The country instead had an extended period of [[Iron Age]] architecture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD43-410|publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk|title=AD 43–410 Roman Iron Age|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> The [[Irish round tower]] originated during the [[Early Medieval]] period.
| align = right
[[File:A high cross and round tower at Monasterboice, Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|The ruins of [[Monasterboice]] in [[County Louth]] are of early Christian settlement.]]
| direction = vertical
Christianity introduced simple [[List of abbeys and priories in Ireland|monastic houses]], such as [[Clonmacnoise]], [[Skellig Michael]] and [[Scattery Island Cathedral and Monastery|Scattery Island]]. A stylistic similarity has been remarked between these [[double monastery|double monasteries]] and those of the [[Copts]] of Egypt.<ref>{{harvnb|Meinardus|2002|p=130}}.</ref> Gaelic kings and aristocrats occupied [[ringfort]]s or ''[[crannóg]]s''.<ref name="vikperiod">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD410-1066|publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk|title=AD 410–1066 Early medieval|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> Church reforms during the 12th century via the [[Cistercians]] stimulated continental influence, with the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] styled [[Mellifont Abbey|Mellifont]], [[Boyle Abbey|Boyle]] and [[Tintern Abbey (County Wexford)|Tintern]] abbeys.<ref>{{harvnb|Moody|2005|p=735}}.</ref> Gaelic settlement had been limited to the Monastic proto-towns, such as [[Kells, County Meath|Kells]], where the current street pattern preserves the original circular settlement outline to some extent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://udprism01.ucd.ie/TalisPrism/browseResults.do?&expandedWorkID=0.12&browse_action=9057&rootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&browse_RootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&displayRowPath=0&pageSize=10&displaySearchAsText=false&openRowPathSet=0:1|title=Altman 2007 Unpublished thesis|accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> Significant urban settlements only developed following the period of Viking invasions.<ref name="vikperiod" /> The major Hiberno-Norse [[Longphort]]s were located on the coast, but with minor inland fluvial settlements, such as the eponymous [[Longford]].
| image2 = Powerscourt, County Wicklow, Ireland - geograph.org.uk - 2534787.jpg
| image1 = Dublin Custom House South Side 6.jpg
| caption2 = [[Powerscourt Estate]], near [[Enniskerry]] in [[County Wicklow]], was built in the 18th century
| caption1 = The [[The Custom House|Dublin Custom House]] is a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] building from the late 18th century.
}}
Ireland has a wealth of structures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megalithomania.com/|publisher=Megalithomania|title=The Megalithic Monuments of Ireland|access-date=19 November 2011|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206210335/http://www.megalithomania.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> surviving in various states of preservation, from the [[Neolithic]] period, such as ''[[Brú na Bóinne]]'', [[Poulnabrone dolmen]], [[Castlestrange stone]], [[Turoe stone]], and [[Drombeg stone circle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/prehistoric.htm|publisher=About.com|title=The Prehistoric Monuments of Ireland|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=25 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625143144/http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/prehistoric.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> As Ireland was never a part of the [[Roman Empire]], ancient architecture in [[Greco-Roman]] style is extremely rare, in contrast to most of Western Europe. The country instead had an extended period of [[Iron Age]] architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD43-410 |publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk |title=AD 43–410 Roman Iron Age |access-date=19 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013012557/http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD43-410 |archive-date=13 October 2010 }}</ref> The [[Irish round tower]] originated during the [[Early Medieval]] period.


Christianity introduced simple [[List of monastic houses in Ireland|monastic houses]], such as [[Clonmacnoise]], [[Skellig Michael]] and [[Scattery Island Cathedral and Monastery|Scattery Island]]. A stylistic similarity has been remarked between these [[double monastery|double monasteries]] and those of the [[Copts]] of Egypt.<ref>{{harvnb|Meinardus|2002|p=130}}.</ref> Gaelic kings and aristocrats occupied [[ringfort]]s or ''[[crannóg]]s''.<ref name="vikperiod">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD410-1066 |publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk |title=AD 410–1066 Early medieval |access-date=19 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012042003/http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD410-1066 |archive-date=12 October 2010 }}</ref> Church reforms during the 12th century via the [[Cistercians]] stimulated continental influence, with the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] styled [[Mellifont Abbey|Mellifont]], [[Boyle Abbey|Boyle]] and [[Tintern Abbey (County Wexford)|Tintern]] abbeys.<ref>{{harvnb|Moody|2005|p=735}}.</ref> Gaelic settlement had been limited to the Monastic proto-towns, such as [[Kells, County Meath|Kells]], where the current street pattern preserves the original circular settlement outline to some extent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://udprism01.ucd.ie/TalisPrism/browseResults.do?&expandedWorkID=0.12&browse_action=9057&rootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&browse_RootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&displayRowPath=0&pageSize=10&displaySearchAsText=false&openRowPathSet=0:1 |title=Altman 2007 Unpublished thesis |access-date=5 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510022752/http://udprism01.ucd.ie/TalisPrism/browseResults.do?&expandedWorkID=0.12&browse_action=9057&rootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&browse_RootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&displayRowPath=0&pageSize=10&displaySearchAsText=false&openRowPathSet=0%3A1 |archive-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> Significant urban settlements only developed following the period of Viking invasions.<ref name="vikperiod" /> The major Hiberno-Norse [[Longphort]]s were located on the coast, but with minor inland fluvial settlements, such as the eponymous [[Longford]].
Castles were built by the [[Normans]] during the late 12th century, such as [[Dublin Castle]] and [[Kilkenny Castle]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ancientfortresses.org/irish-castles.htm|publisher=Castles.me.uk|title=Irish Castles|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> and the concept of the planned walled trading town was introduced, which gained legal status and several rights by grant of a [[Charter]] under [[Feudalism]]. These charters specifically governed the design of these towns.<ref>Butlin RA (1977): ''The Development of the Irish Town'', Croom Helm</ref> Two significant waves of planned town formation followed, the first being the 16th and 17th century plantation towns, which were used as a mechanism for the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] English kings to suppress local insurgency, followed by 18th century landlord towns.<ref>Butlin RA: ''op cit''</ref> Surviving Norman founded planned towns include [[Drogheda]] and [[Youghal]]; plantation towns include [[Portlaoise]] and [[Portarlington, County Laois|Portarlington]]; well-preserved 18th century planned towns include [[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]] and [[Ballinasloe]]. These episodes of planned settlement account for the majority of present day towns throughout the country.
[[File:Custom House, Dublin, Ireland.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dublin Custom House]] is a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] building from the late 18th century.]]
[[File:Monasterboice (52364039739).jpg|thumb|left|The ruins of [[Monasterboice]] in [[County Louth]] are of early Christian settlements.]]
Castles were built by the [[Anglo-Normans]] during the late 12th century, such as [[Dublin Castle]] and [[Kilkenny Castle]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancientfortresses.org/irish-castles.htm|publisher=Castles.me.uk|title=Irish Castles|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=1 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701173522/http://www.ancientfortresses.org/irish-castles.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the concept of the planned walled trading town was introduced, which gained legal status and several rights by grant of a [[Charter]] under [[Feudalism]]. These charters specifically governed the design of these towns.<ref>Butlin RA (1977): ''The Development of the Irish Town'', Croom Helm</ref> Two significant waves of planned town formation followed, the first being the 16th- and 17th-century plantation towns, which were used as a mechanism for the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] English kings to suppress local insurgency, followed by 18th-century landlord towns.<ref>Butlin RA: ''op cit''</ref> Surviving Norman founded planned towns include [[Drogheda]] and [[Youghal]]; plantation towns include [[Portlaoise]] and [[Portarlington, County Laois|Portarlington]]; well-preserved 18th-century planned towns include [[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]] and [[Ballinasloe]]. These episodes of planned settlement account for the majority of present-day towns throughout the country.
[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedrals, such as [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin|St Patrick's]], were also introduced by the Normans.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=813}}.</ref> [[Franciscan]]s were dominant in directing the abbeys by the Late Middle Ages, while elegant tower houses, such as [[Bunratty Castle]], were built by the Gaelic and Norman aristocracy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=The Later Middle Ages: 1350 to 1540|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> Many religious buildings were ruined with the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=Early Tudor Ireland: 1485 to 1547|accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref> Following the Restoration, [[palladianism]] and [[rococo]], particularly [[country houses]], swept through Ireland under the initiative of [[Edward Lovett Pearce]], with the [[Irish Houses of Parliament|Houses of Parliament]] being the most significant.<ref name="greenwood">{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=815}}.</ref>
[[File:Georgian Dublin. Merrion Square - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Brick architecture of multi-storey buildings in [[Merrion Square]], Dublin]]


[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedrals, such as [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin|St Patrick's]], were also introduced by the Normans.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=813}}.</ref> [[Franciscan]]s were dominant in directing the abbeys by the Late Middle Ages, while elegant tower houses, such as [[Bunratty Castle]], were built by the Gaelic and Norman aristocracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=The Later Middle Ages: 1350 to 1540|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=14 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114180510/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many religious buildings were ruined with the [[dissolution of the monasteries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=Early Tudor Ireland: 1485 to 1547|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=14 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114180510/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the Restoration, [[palladianism]] and [[rococo]], particularly [[country houses]], swept through Ireland under the initiative of [[Edward Lovett Pearce]], with the [[Irish Houses of Parliament|Houses of Parliament]] being the most significant.<ref name="greenwood">{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=815}}.</ref>
With the erection of buildings such as [[The Custom House]], [[Four Courts]], [[General Post Office (Dublin)|General Post Office]] and [[King's Inns]], the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] and [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] styles flourished, especially in [[Georgian Dublin|Dublin]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Georgian townhouses produced streets of singular distinction, particularly in [[Dublin]], [[Limerick]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]]. Following [[Catholic Emancipation]], cathedrals and churches influenced by the French [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] emerged, such as [[Cobh Cathedral|St Colman's]] and [[Saint Finbarre's Cathedral|St Finbarre's]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Ireland has long been associated with [[thatched roof]] cottages, though these are nowadays considered quaint.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballybegvillage.com/thatching.html|publisher=BallyBegVillage.com|title= Thatching in Ireland |accessdate=19 October 2009}}</ref>


With the erection of buildings such as [[The Custom House]], [[Four Courts]], [[General Post Office (Dublin)|General Post Office]] and [[King's Inns]], the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] and [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] styles flourished, especially in [[Georgian Dublin|Dublin]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Georgian townhouses produced streets of singular distinction, particularly in [[Dublin]], [[Limerick]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]]. Following [[Catholic Emancipation]], cathedrals and churches influenced by the French [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] emerged, such as [[Cobh Cathedral|St Colman's]] and [[Saint Finbarre's Cathedral|St Finbarre's]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Ireland has long been associated with [[thatched roof]] cottages, though these are nowadays considered quaint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballybegvillage.com/thatching.html|publisher=BallyBegVillage.com|title=Thatching in Ireland|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011005154/http://www.ballybegvillage.com/thatching.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Elysian tower Cork.JPG|thumb|upright|[[The Elysian]] tower in [[Cork (city)|Cork]] is the tallest storeyed building in the Republic of Ireland.]]

Beginning with the American designed [[art deco]] church at [[Turners Cross, Cork|Turner's Cross]] in 1927, Irish architecture followed the international trend towards modern and sleek building styles since the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|title = Exterior of Church of Christ the King, Turner's Cross|publisher = Parish of Turner's Cross|url = http://turnerscross.com/architecture/building-description/|accessdate =9 November 2008}}</ref> Recent developments include the regeneration of [[Ballymun]] and an urban extension of Dublin at [[Adamstown, Dublin|Adamstown]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.adamstown.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=203 |title=About Adamstown |publisher=South Dublin County Council |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> Since the establishment of the [[Dublin Docklands Development Authority]] in 1997, the [[Dublin Docklands]] area underwent large-scale redevelopment, which included the construction of the [[Convention Centre Dublin]] and [[Grand Canal Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddda.ie/index.jsp?p=99&n=138 |title=Docklands Authority – About Us |accessdate=31 August 2011}}</ref> Completed in 2008, [[the Elysian]] tower in Cork is the tallest storeyed building in the Republic of Ireland (the [[Obel Tower]] in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] being the tallest in Ireland), at a height of {{convert|71|m|ft|abbr=off}}, surpassing [[Cork County Hall]]. The [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]] regulates the practice of architecture in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riai.ie/about_the_riai|title=About the RIAI |accessdate=17 November 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Capital dock.jpg|thumb|right|[[Capital Dock]] in [[Dublin]] is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland.]]
Beginning with the American designed [[art deco]] church at [[Turners Cross, Cork|Turner's Cross]], [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in 1927, Irish architecture followed the international trend towards modern and sleek building styles since the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|title = Exterior of Church of Christ the King, Turner's Cross|publisher = Parish of Turner's Cross|url = http://turnerscross.com/architecture/building-description/|access-date = 9 November 2008|archive-date = 13 December 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213055932/http://turnerscross.com/architecture/building-description/|url-status = live}}</ref> Other developments include the regeneration of [[Ballymun]] and an urban extension of Dublin at [[Adamstown, Dublin|Adamstown]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sdcc.ie/services/planning/strategic-development-zones/adamstown?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=203 |title=About Adamstown |publisher=South Dublin County Council |access-date=13 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.sdcc.ie/services/planning/strategic-development-zones/adamstown?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=203 |archive-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> Since the establishment of the [[Dublin Docklands Development Authority]] in 1997, the [[Dublin Docklands]] area underwent large-scale redevelopment, which included the construction of the [[Convention Centre Dublin]] and [[Grand Canal Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddda.ie/index.jsp?p=99&n=138 |title=Docklands Authority – About Us |access-date=31 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154054/http://www.ddda.ie/index.jsp?p=99&n=138 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Completed in 2018, [[Capital Dock]] in Dublin is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland achieving {{convert|79|m|ft|abbr=off}} in height (the [[Obel Tower]] in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] being the tallest in Ireland). The [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]] regulates the practice of architecture in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riai.ie/about_the_riai |title=About the RIAI |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928211424/http://www.riai.ie/about_the_riai |archive-date=28 September 2010}}</ref>


===Media===
===Media===
{{Main|Media of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Main|Media of the Republic of Ireland}}
[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] (RTÉ) is the [[public service broadcaster]] of Ireland, funded by a [[television licence fee]] and advertising.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/about |title=About RTÉ |publisher= RTÉ| accessdate=30 August 2011}}</ref> RTÉ operates two national television channels, [[RTÉ One]] and [[RTÉ Two]]. The other independent national television channels are [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]], [[3e]], [[UTV Ireland]] and [[TG4]], the latter of which is a public service broadcaster for speakers of the Irish language. All these channels are available on [[Saorview]], the national [[free-to-air]] [[digital terrestrial television]] service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/ |title=What is Saorview? |publisher= Saorview official website |accessdate=30 August 2011}}</ref> Additional channels included in the service are [[RTÉ News Now]], [[RTÉjr]], and RTÉ One +1. Subscription-based television providers operating in Ireland include [[UPC Ireland|UPC]] and [[Sky (UK & Ireland)|Sky]].
{{Lang|ga|[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|italic=no}} (RTÉ) is Ireland's [[public service broadcaster]], funded by a [[television licence fee]] and advertising.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/about |title=About RTÉ |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823212854/http://www.rte.ie/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> RTÉ operates two national television channels, [[RTÉ One]] and [[RTÉ Two]]. The other independent national television channels are [[Virgin Media One]], [[Virgin Media Two]], [[Virgin Media Three]] and [[TG4]], the latter of which is a public service broadcaster for speakers of the Irish language. All these channels are available on [[Saorview]], the national [[free-to-air]] [[digital terrestrial television]] service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/ |title=What is Saorview? |publisher=Saorview official website |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=29 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829045735/http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional channels included in the service are [[RTÉ News Now]], [[RTÉjr]], and RTÉ One +1. Subscription-based television providers operating in Ireland include [[Virgin Media Ireland|Virgin Media]] and [[Sky Ireland|Sky]].

The [[BBC]]'s [[BBC Northern Ireland|Northern Irish division]] is widely available in Ireland. [[BBC One Northern Ireland]] and [[BBC Two Northern Ireland]] are available in pay television providers including Virgin and Sky as well as via [[signal overspill]] by [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] in border counties.


Supported by [[Irish Film Board|An Bord Scannán na hÉireann]], the Irish film industry grew significantly since the 1990s, with the promotion of indigenous films as well as the attraction of international productions like ''[[Braveheart]]'' and ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref name="Media Landscape">{{cite web| url=http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland |title=Media landscape: Ireland |publisher= European Journalism Centre |date=5 November 2010 |accessdate=30 August 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>
Supported by the [[Irish Film Board]], the Irish film industry grew significantly since the 1990s, with the promotion of indigenous films as well as the attraction of international productions like ''[[Braveheart]]'' and ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref name="Media Landscape">{{cite web|url=http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland |title=Media landscape: Ireland |publisher=European Journalism Centre |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=30 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824215241/http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland/ |archive-date=24 August 2011}}</ref>


A large number of regional and local radio stations are available countrywide. A survey showed that a consistent 85% of adults listen to a mixture of national, regional and local stations on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011.07.28-JNLR-Results-July-2010-Jun2011.pdf |title= Listenership 2011/1 Summary Results |publisher= JNLR/Ipsos MRB |date=28 July 2011 |accessdate=30 August 2011}}</ref> [[RTÉ Radio]] operates four national stations, [[RTÉ Radio 1|Radio 1]], [[RTÉ 2fm|2fm]], [[RTÉ lyric fm|Lyric fm]], and [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta|RnaG]], alongside two independent national stations, [[Today FM]] and [[Newstalk]].
A large number of regional and local radio stations are available countrywide. A survey showed that a consistent 85% of adults listen to a mixture of national, regional and local stations on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011.07.28-JNLR-Results-July-2010-Jun2011.pdf |title=Listenership 2011/1 Summary Results |publisher=JNLR/Ipsos MRB |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=22 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122145316/http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011.07.28-JNLR-Results-July-2010-Jun2011.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[RTÉ Radio]] operates four national stations, [[RTÉ Radio 1|Radio 1]], [[RTÉ 2fm|2fm]], [[RTÉ lyric fm|Lyric fm]], and [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta|RnaG]]. It also operates four national DAB radio stations. There are two independent national stations: [[Today FM]] and [[Newstalk]].


Ireland has a traditionally competitive print media, which is divided into daily national newspapers and weekly regional newspapers, as well as national Sunday editions. The strength of the British press is a unique feature of the Irish print media scene, with the availability of a wide selection of British published newspapers and magazines.<ref name="Media Landscape"/>
Ireland has a traditionally competitive print media, which is divided into daily national newspapers and weekly regional newspapers, as well as national Sunday editions. The strength of the British press is a unique feature of the Irish print media scene, with the availability of a wide selection of British published newspapers and magazines.<ref name="Media Landscape"/>


[[Eurostat]] reported that 82% of Irish households had Internet access in 2013 compared to the [[European Union|EU]] average of 79% but only 67% had broadband access.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/Ireland-still-lags-behind-eu-counterparts-in-access-to-broadband-1.1631826 Ireland still lags behind EU counterparts in access to broadband] The Irish Times, 18 December 2013 (accessed on 19 December 2013)</ref>
[[Eurostat]] reported that 82% of Irish households had Internet access in 2013 compared to the [[European Union|EU]] average of 79% but only 67% had broadband access.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/Ireland-still-lags-behind-eu-counterparts-in-access-to-broadband-1.1631826 Ireland still lags behind EU counterparts in access to broadband] The Irish Times, 18 December 2013 (accessed on 19 December 2013) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229050021/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/Ireland-still-lags-behind-eu-counterparts-in-access-to-broadband-1.1631826 |date=29 December 2013}}</ref>


===Cuisine===
===Cuisine===
{{Main|Irish cuisine}}
{{see also|Irish cuisine|List of Irish dishes}}
[[File:J'ai commencé ma visite de Dublin... (8777546507).jpg|thumb|right|A [[pint]] of [[Guinness]]]]
{{Further|List of Irish dishes}}
Irish cuisine was traditionally based on meat and dairy products, supplemented with vegetables and seafood.
[[File:A pint of Guinness.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[pint]] of [[Guinness]]]]
Irish cuisine was traditionally based on meat and dairy, supplemented with vegetables and seafood. The [[potato]] eventually formed the basis of many traditional Irish dishes after its introduction in the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irelandby.com/recipes/recipes.htm |title=Traditional Irish Cuisine |accessdate=19 January 2011}}{{Dead link|date=June 2014}}</ref> Examples of popular Irish cuisine include [[boxty]], [[colcannon]], [[coddle]], [[Irish stew|stew]], and [[bacon and cabbage]]. Ireland is famous for the [[Full breakfast|full Irish breakfast]], which involves a fried or grilled meal generally consisting of bacon, egg, sausage, pudding, and fried tomato. Apart from the significant influence by European and international dishes, there has been a recent emergence of a new Irish cuisine based on traditional ingredients handled in new ways. This cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, fish, oysters, mussels and other shellfish, and the wide range of hand-made cheeses that are now being produced across the country. Shellfish have increased in popularity, especially due to the high quality shellfish available from the country's coastline. The most popular fish include [[salmon]] and [[cod]]. Traditional breads include [[soda bread]] and [[wheaten bread]]. [[Barmbrack]] is a [[yeast]]ed [[bread]] with added [[sultana (grape)|sultana]]s and [[raisin]]s.
Examples of popular Irish cuisine include [[boxty]], [[colcannon]], [[coddle]], [[Irish stew|stew]], and [[bacon and cabbage]]. Ireland is known for the [[Full breakfast|full Irish breakfast]], which involves a fried or grilled meal generally consisting of rashers, egg, sausage, white and black pudding, and fried tomato. Apart from the influence by European and international dishes, there has been an emergence of a new Irish cuisine based on traditional ingredients handled in new ways.<ref name="irelandlogue">{{cite web |url=http://www.irelandlogue.com/food-drink |title=Food & Drink in Ireland |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124024517/http://www.irelandlogue.com/food-drink |url-status=live }}</ref> This cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, fish, oysters, mussels and other shellfish, and the wide range of hand-made cheeses that are now being produced across the country. Shellfish have increased in popularity, especially due to the high quality shellfish available from the [[List of Irish counties by coastline|country's coastline]]. The most popular fish include [[salmon]] and [[cod]]. Traditional breads include [[soda bread]] and [[wheaten bread]]. [[Barmbrack]] is a [[yeast]]ed [[bread]] with added [[sultana (grape)|sultanas]] and [[raisin]]s, traditionally eaten on [[Halloween]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McElwain |first1=Aoife |title=Now we know ... What's so spooky about barmbrack? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/now-we-know-what-s-so-spooky-about-barmbrack-1.3267009 |access-date=15 September 2018 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=28 October 2017 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915155048/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/now-we-know-what-s-so-spooky-about-barmbrack-1.3267009 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Popular everyday beverages among the Irish include [[Irish breakfast tea|tea]] and [[Irish coffee|coffee]]. Alcoholic drinks associated with Ireland include [[Poitín]] and the world famous [[Guinness]], which is a [[dry stout]] that originated in the brewery of [[Arthur Guinness]] at [[St. James's Gate]] in Dublin. [[Irish whiskey]] is also popular throughout the country, and comes in various forms, including single malt, single grain and blended whiskey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irelandlogue.com/food-drink |title=Food & Drink in Ireland |accessdate=19 January 2011}}</ref>
Popular everyday beverages among the Irish include [[Irish breakfast tea|tea]] and [[Irish coffee|coffee]]. Alcoholic drinks associated with Ireland include [[Poitín]] and the world-famous [[Guinness]], which is a [[dry stout]] that originated in the brewery of [[Arthur Guinness]] at [[St. James's Gate]] in Dublin. [[Irish whiskey]] is also popular throughout the country and comes in various forms, including single malt, single grain, and blended whiskey.<ref name="irelandlogue"/>


===Sports===
===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Ireland}}
{{Main|Sport in Ireland}}
[[File:Croke Park panorama.jpg|thumb|[[Croke Park]] stadium is the headquarters of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]].]]
[[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] are the traditional sports of Ireland as well as popular [[spectator sports]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/3/2107111732-gaa-attendances-hold-firm |title=GAA attendances hold firm |publisher=GAA official website |date=21 July 2011 |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230062255/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/3/2107111732-gaa-attendances-hold-firm |archive-date=30 December 2011 }}</ref> They are administered by the [[Gaelic Athletics Association]] on an [[all-Ireland]] basis. Other [[Gaelic games]] organised by the association include [[Gaelic handball]] and [[rounders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa |title=About the GAA |publisher=GAA official website |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827084718/http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa/ |archive-date=27 August 2011 }}</ref> [[Association football in the Republic of Ireland|Association football]] (soccer) is the third most popular spectator sport and has the highest level of participation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.ie/pdf/BKMNINT180_Main%20Text_Social%20and%20Economic%20Value%20of%20Sport.pdf |title=Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland |access-date=5 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712134834/http://www.esri.ie/pdf/BKMNINT180_Main%20Text_Social%20and%20Economic%20Value%20of%20Sport.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2015 }}</ref> Although the [[League of Ireland]] is the national league, the English [[Premier League]] is the most popular among the public.<ref>{{cite book|last=Whelan|first=Daire|title=Who Stole Our Game?|publisher=Gill & Macmillan Ltd|year=2006|isbn=0-7171-4004-0}}</ref> The [[Republic of Ireland national football team]] plays at international level and is administered by the [[Football Association of Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=75&Itemid=139|title=About FAI|publisher=FAI official website|access-date=28 August 2011|archive-date=26 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926064431/http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content|url-status=live}}</ref>


The [[Irish Rugby Football Union]] is the governing body of [[Rugby union in Ireland|rugby union]], which is played at local and international levels on an all-Ireland basis, and has produced players such as [[Brian O'Driscoll]] and [[Ronan O'Gara]], who were on the team that won the [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] in [[2009 Six Nations Championship|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5715.php/ |title=Ireland Are Grand Slam Champions! |publisher=IRFU |date=21 March 2009 |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223164446/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5715.php/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The success of the [[Irish Cricket Team]] in the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] has led to an increase in the popularity of [[cricket in Ireland|cricket]], which is also administered on an all-Ireland basis by [[Cricket Ireland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/mar/17/ireland-cricket-more-elite-matches|title=Ireland is learning to love cricket and deserves more visits from the elite|work=The Guardian|date=17 March 2011|access-date=28 August 2011|location=London|first=Mike|last=Selvey|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108023437/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/mar/17/ireland-cricket-more-elite-matches|url-status=live}}</ref> Ireland are one of [[List of International Cricket Council members#Full Members|the twelve Test playing members]] of the [[International Cricket Council]], having been granted [[Test cricket|Test status]] in 2017. [[Cricket in Ireland#Domestic cricket|Professional domestic matches]] are played between the major cricket unions of [[Leinster Cricket Union|Leinster]], [[Munster Cricket Union|Munster]], [[Northern Cricket Union of Ireland|Northern]], and [[North West Cricket Union|North West]]. [[Netball]] is represented by the [[Republic of Ireland national netball team|Ireland national netball team]].
[[File:Croke park hogan stand.jpg|thumb|right||[[Croke Park]] stadium is the headquarters of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]].]]


[[Golf]] is another popular sport in Ireland, with over 300 courses countrywide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/ireland|title=Golf courses of Ireland|publisher=WorldGolf|access-date=28 August 2011|archive-date=4 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104131025/http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has produced several internationally successful golfers, such as [[Pádraig Harrington]], [[Shane Lowry (golfer)|Shane Lowry]] and [[Paul McGinley]]. [[Horse racing]] has a large presence, with influential breeding and racing operations in the country. Racing takes place at courses at [[The Curragh Racecourse]] in [[County Kildare]], [[Leopardstown Racecourse]] just outside Dublin, and [[Galway]]. Ireland has produced champion horses such as [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]], [[Montjeu]], and [[Sea the Stars]]. [[Boxing]] is Ireland's most successful sport at an Olympic level. Administered by the [[Irish Athletic Boxing Association]] on an all-Ireland basis, it has gained in popularity as a result of the international success of boxers such as [[Bernard Dunne]], [[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]] and [[Katie Taylor]].
[[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] are the traditional sports of Ireland as well as most popular [[spectator sports]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/3/2107111732-gaa-attendances-hold-firm|format=PDF|title=GAA attendances hold firm|publisher=GAA official website|date=21 July 2011|accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref> They are administered by the [[Gaelic Athletics Association]] on an [[all-Ireland]] basis. Other [[Gaelic games]] organised by the association include [[Gaelic handball]] and [[rounders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa|title=About the GAA|publisher=GAA official website|accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref>


Some of Ireland's highest performers in [[sport of athletics|athletics]] have competed at the [[Olympic Games]], such as [[Eamonn Coghlan]] and [[Sonia O'Sullivan]]. The annual [[Dublin Marathon]] and [[Dublin Women's Mini Marathon]] are two of the most popular athletics events in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dublinmarathon.ie/general_history.php |title=A long and winding road |publisher=Dublin Marathon official website |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810093228/http://dublinmarathon.ie/general_history.php |archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref> [[Rugby league]] is represented by the [[Ireland national rugby league team]] and administered by [[Rugby League Ireland]] (who are full member of the [[Rugby League European Federation]]) on an all-Ireland basis. The team compete in the [[European Cup (rugby league)]] and the [[Rugby League World Cup]]. Ireland reached the quarter-finals of the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]] as well as reaching the semi-finals in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp-nations/ireland/502-rugby-league-planet-ireland |title=Ireland rugby league nation overview |publisher=Rugby League Planet |access-date=28 August 2011 |archive-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306004553/http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp-nations/ireland/502-rugby-league-planet-ireland |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Irish Elite League]] is a domestic competition for rugby league teams in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/6907954/irish-eye-super-league |title=Irish Eye Super League |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=2 September 2011 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024002121/http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/6907954/Irish-eye-Super-League |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Association football in the Republic of Ireland|Soccer]] is the third most popular spectator sport and has the highest level of participation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.ie/pdf/BKMNINT180_Main%20Text_Social%20and%20Economic%20Value%20of%20Sport.pdf|title=Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland|accessdate=5 February 2009}}</ref> Although the [[League of Ireland]] is the national league, the English [[Premier League]] is the most popular among the public.<ref>{{cite book|last=Whelan|first=Daire|title=Who Stole Our Game?|publisher=Gill & Macmillan Ltd|year=2006|isbn=0-7171-4004-0}}</ref> The [[Republic of Ireland national football team]] plays at international level and is administered by the [[Football Association of Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=75&Itemid=139|title=About FAI|publisher=FAI official website|accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref>


While [[Australian rules football in Ireland]] has a limited following, a series of [[International rules football]] games (constituting a hybrid of the Australian and Gaelic football codes) takes place annually between teams representing Ireland and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Rules |url=https://www.afl.com.au/international-rules |publisher=AFL |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428105551/https://www.afl.com.au/international-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Baseball in Ireland|Baseball]] and [[basketball]] are also emerging sports in Ireland, both of which have an international team representing the island of Ireland. Other sports which retain a following in Ireland include [[cycle sport|cycling]], [[greyhound racing]], [[horse riding]], and [[motorsport]].
The [[Irish Rugby Football Union]] is the governing body of [[Rugby union in Ireland|rugby union]], which is played at local and international levels on an all-Ireland basis, and has produced players such as [[Brian O'Driscoll]] and [[Ronan O'Gara]], who were on the team that won the [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] in [[2009 Six Nations Championship|2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5715.php/ |title=Ireland Are Grand Slam Champions!|publisher=IRFU |date=21 March 2009 |accessdate=23 February 2015}}</ref> The success of the [[Irish Cricket Team]] in the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] has led to an increase in the popularity of [[cricket in Ireland|cricket]], which is also administered on an all-Ireland basis by the [[Irish Cricket Union]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/mar/17/ireland-cricket-more-elite-matches|title=Ireland is learning to love cricket and deserves more visits from the elite|work=The Guardian|date=17 March 2011|accessdate=28 August 2011|location=London|first=Mike|last=Selvey}}</ref>

[[Golf]] is another popular sport in Ireland, with over 300 courses countrywide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/ireland|title=Golf courses of Ireland|publisher=WorldGolf|accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref> The country has produced several internationally successful golfers, such as [[Pádraig Harrington]] and [[Paul McGinley]].

[[Horse Racing]] has a very large presence in Ireland, with one of the most influential breeding and racing operations based in the country. Racing takes place at courses at [[The Curragh Racecourse]] in [[County Kildare]] and at [[Leopardstown Racecourse]], racing taking place since the 1860s, but racing taking place as early as the early 1700s. Popular race meetings also take place at [[Galway]]. Operations include [[Coolmore Stud]] and [[Ballydoyle]], the base of [[Aiden O'Brien]] arguably one of the world's most successful horse trainers. Ireland has produced champion horses such as [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]], [[Montjeu]], and [[Sea the Stars]].

[[Boxing]] is Ireland's most successful sport at an Olympic level. Administered by the [[Irish Amateur Boxing Association]] on an all-Ireland basis, it has gained in popularity as a result of the international success of boxers such as [[Bernard Dunne]], [[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]] and [[Katie Taylor]].

Some of Ireland's highest performers in [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]] have competed at the [[Olympic Games]], such as [[Eamonn Coghlan]] and [[Sonia O'Sullivan]]. The annual [[Dublin Marathon]] and [[Dublin Women's Mini Marathon]] are two of the most popular athletics events in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dublinmarathon.ie/general_history.php|title=A long and winding road|publisher=Dublin Marathon official website|accessdate=28 August 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>

[[Rugby league]] is represented by the [[Ireland national rugby league team]] and administered by [[Rugby League Ireland]] (who are full member of the [[Rugby League European Federation]]) on an all-Ireland basis. The team compete in the [[European Cup (rugby league)]] and the [[Rugby League World Cup]]. Ireland reached the quarter finals of the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]] as well as reaching the semi finals in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp-nations/ireland/502-rugby-league-planet-ireland |title=Ireland rugby league nation overview |publisher=Rugby League Planet |accessdate=28 August 2011}}</ref> The [[Irish Elite League]] is a domestic competition for rugby league teams in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/6907954/irish-eye-super-league |title=Irish Eye Super League |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=2 September 2011}}</ref>

The profile of [[Australian rules football in Ireland|Australian rules football]] has increased in Ireland due to the [[International rules]] series that take place annually between Australia and Ireland. [[Baseball in Ireland|Baseball]] and [[basketball]] are also emerging sports in Ireland, both of which have an international team representing the island of Ireland. Other sports which retain a strong following in Ireland include [[cycling]], [[greyhound racing]], [[horse riding]], [[motorsport]], and [[softball in Ireland|softball]].


===Society===
===Society===
{{See also|Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{See also|Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}
Ireland [[Global Gender Gap Report|ranks fifth]] in the world in terms of [[gender equality]].<ref name="bbcgender">{{cite news|title=Iceland 'best country for gender equality'|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11517459|accessdate=12 October 2010|publisher=BBC News|date=12 October 2010}}</ref> In 2011, Ireland was ranked the most [[Charity (practice)|charitable]] country in Europe, and second most charitable in the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ireland 'most charitable' country in Europe|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1220/310115-charity/|accessdate=20 December 2010|publisher=RTÉ News|date=20 December 2010}}</ref> Contraception was controlled in Ireland until 1979, however, the receding influence of the Catholic Church has led to an increasingly [[Secularism|secularised]] society.<ref name="familyplanning">{{cite web|title = Health (Family Planning) Act, 1979|date= 23 July 1979|publisher = Office of the Attorney General|url = http://193.178.1.79:80/1979/en/act/pub/0020/index.html|accessdate =7 June 2007}}</ref> In 1983, the [[Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Eighth Amendment]] recognised "the right to life of the unborn", subject to qualifications concerning the "equal right to life" of the mother. The case of ''[[Attorney General v. X]]'' subsequently prompted passage of the [[Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Thirteenth]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fourteenth]] Amendments, guaranteeing the right to have an abortion performed abroad, and the right to learn about "services" that are illegal in Ireland but legal abroad. The prohibition on divorce in the 1937 Constitution was repealed in 1995 under the [[Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fifteenth Amendment]]. Divorce rates in Ireland are very low compared to European Union averages (0.7 divorced people per 1,000 population in 2011) while the marriage rate in Ireland is slightly above the European Union average (4.6 marriages per 1,000 population per year in 2012).
Ireland [[Global Gender Gap Report|ranks fifth]] in the world in terms of [[gender equality]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Iceland 'best country for gender equality'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11517459|access-date=12 October 2010|publisher=BBC News|date=12 October 2010|archive-date=12 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012045420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11517459|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, Ireland was ranked the most [[Charity (practice)|charitable]] country in Europe, and second most charitable in the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ireland 'most charitable' country in Europe|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1220/310115-charity/|access-date=20 December 2010|publisher=RTÉ News|date=20 December 2010|archive-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205204543/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1220/310115-charity/|url-status=live}}</ref> Contraception was controlled in Ireland until 1979, however, the receding influence of the [[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic Church]] has led to an increasingly [[Secularism|secularised]] society.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=Health (Family Planning) Act 1979|date=23 July 1979|year=1979|number=20|access-date=4 February 2022|archive-date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918111313/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1979/act/20/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref> A constitutional ban on [[divorce]] was lifted following a [[Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]] in 1995. Divorce rates in Ireland are very low compared to European Union averages (0.7 divorced people per 1,000 population in 2011) while the marriage rate in Ireland is slightly above the European Union average (4.6 marriages per 1,000 population per year in 2012). [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|Abortion]] had been banned throughout the period of the Irish state, first through provisions of the [[Offences Against the Person Act 1861]] and later by the [[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013]]. The right to life of the unborn was protected in the constitution by the [[Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Eighth Amendment]] in 1983; this provision was removed following a [[Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]], and replaced it with a provision allowing legislation to regulate the termination of pregnancy. The [[Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018]] passed later that year provided for abortion generally during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in specified circumstances after that date.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018]]|date=20 December 2018|year=2018|number=31|access-date=4 February 2022|archive-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121050905/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/31/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref>


[[Capital punishment]] is constitutionally banned in Ireland, while discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, religion, race or membership of the travelling community is illegal. The legislation which outlawed homosexual acts was repealed in 1993.<ref name="norris">{{cite web|title = NORRIS v. IRELAND – 10581/83 [1988] ECHR 22 |date= 26 October 2007|publisher = European Court of Human Rights|url = http://www.worldlii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1988/22.html|accessdate =7 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="acts_commentary">Though Senator [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]] challenged the law in the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in 1988, but the Irish Government were tardy in not legislating to rectify the issue until 1993.</ref> In 2010, the Dáil and the Seanad passed the [[Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010|Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act]], which recognised civil partnerships between same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10484404 |title=Civil partnership bill backed by Irish politicians |publisher=BBC News |date=1 July 2010 |accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref> It permits same-sex couples to register their relationship before a registrar.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Carl |last1=O'Brien |title='Historic advance' for equality as Civil Partnership Bill passed |newspaper=The Irish Times |place=Dublin, Ireland |date=2 July 2010 |page=1}}</ref> A ''Sunday Times'' poll carried out in March 2011 showed that 73% of people believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, while 60% believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.thejournal.ie/nearly-three-quarters-of-irish-people-in-favour-of-gay-marriage-2011-03/ |work= Irish Times |title= Nearly three-quarters of Irish people in favour of gay marriage |date= 5 March 2011 |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref> In April 2012, the [[Constitutional Convention (Ireland)|Constitutional Convention]] voted overwhelmingly in favour of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/constitutional-convention-backs-extension-of-marriage-rights-to-same-sex-couples-1.1359910 |work= Irish Times |title= Constitutional convention backs extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples |date= 15 April 2013 |accessdate=27 May 2013}}</ref> On 23 May 2015, the Republic of Ireland became the first country to legalize same sex marriage by popular vote.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/marriage-referendum/ireland-becomes-first-country-to-approve-same-sex-marriage-by-popular-vote-1.2223646 |work= Irish Times |title= Ireland becomes first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote |date= 23 May 2015 |accessdate= 23 May 2015}}</ref>
[[Capital punishment]] is constitutionally banned in Ireland, while discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, religion, race or membership of the travelling community is illegal. The legislation which outlawed homosexual acts was repealed in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title = NORRIS v. IRELAND – 10581/83 [1988] ECHR 22|date = 26 October 2007|publisher = European Court of Human Rights|url = http://www.worldlii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1988/22.html|access-date = 7 June 2007|archive-date = 15 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015234525/http://www.worldlii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1988/22.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>Senator [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]] successfully challenged the law in the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in 1988, but Irish Government did not introduce and pass legislation to rectify the issue until 1993.</ref> The [[Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010]] permitted civil partnerships between same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10484404 |title=Civil partnership bill backed by Irish politicians |publisher=BBC News |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=11 July 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202104003/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10484404 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Carl |last1=O'Brien |title='Historic advance' for equality as Civil Partnership Bill passed |newspaper=The Irish Times |place=Dublin, Ireland |date=2 July 2010 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/24/enacted/en/html|title=Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010|date=19 July 2010|access-date=28 September 2019|website=[[Irish Statute Book]]|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928094542/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/24/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Children and Family Relationships Act 2015]] allowed for adoption rights for couples other than married couples, including civil partners and cohabitants, and provided for [[Third-party reproduction|donor-assisted human reproduction]]; however, significant sections of the Act have yet to be [[coming into force|commenced]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/9/enacted/en/html|title=Children and Family Relationships Act 2015|date=6 April 2015|access-date=28 September 2019|website=[[Irish Statute Book]]|archive-date=23 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523155602/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2015/en/act/pub/0009/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a [[Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]] held on 23 May 2015, Ireland became the eighteenth country to [[Marriage Act 2015|provide in law]] for [[same-sex marriage]], and the first to do so by popular vote.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/marriage-referendum/ireland-becomes-first-country-to-approve-same-sex-marriage-by-popular-vote-1.2223646 |newspaper= The Irish Times |title= Ireland becomes first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote |date= 23 May 2015 |access-date= 23 May 2015 |archive-date= 23 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150723091725/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/marriage-referendum/ireland-becomes-first-country-to-approve-same-sex-marriage-by-popular-vote-1.2223646 |url-status= live }}</ref>


Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for [[plastic shopping bag]]s in 2002 and a public [[smoking ban]] in 2004. [[Recycling in Ireland]] is carried out extensively and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the [[European Union]]. It was the first country in Europe to ban [[Banning of incandescent lightbulbs|incandescent lightbulbs]] in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/109039-energy/ |title=Traditional light bulbs to be scrapped |publisher=RTÉ |date=10 October 2008 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0630/119005-tobacco/ |title=Ban on in-store tobacco advertising |publisher=RTÉ |date=30 June 2009 |accessdate=9 July 2009}}</ref> In 2015 Ireland became the second country in the world to introduce [[plain cigarette packaging]].<ref name="irishtimes.com_2015-03-13">{{Citation | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/plain-packaging-for-cigarettes-signed-into-law-in-ireland-1.2134138| title=Plain packaging for cigarettes signed into law in Ireland| newspaper=Irishtimes.com| date=10 March 2015 | first=Mark|last=Hilliard| accessdate=13 March 2015}}</ref> Despite the above measures to discourage tobacco use, smoking rates in Ireland remain above 20% of the adult population and above those in other developed countries.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems//Health-at-a-Glance-2013.pdf accessed December 10th 2013]</ref>
Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for [[plastic shopping bag]]s in 2002 and a public [[smoking ban]] in 2004. [[Recycling in Ireland]] is carried out extensively, and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the [[European Union]]. It was the first country in Europe to ban [[Banning of incandescent lightbulbs|incandescent lightbulbs]] in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/109039-energy/ |title=Traditional light bulbs to be scrapped |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=22 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022025444/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/109039-energy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0630/119005-tobacco/ |title=Ban on in-store tobacco advertising |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=22 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022030145/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0630/119005-tobacco/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, Ireland became the second country in the world to introduce [[plain cigarette packaging]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/plain-packaging-for-cigarettes-signed-into-law-in-ireland-1.2134138|title=Plain packaging for cigarettes signed into law in Ireland|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=10 March 2015|first=Mark|last=Hilliard|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=1 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701072609/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/plain-packaging-for-cigarettes-signed-into-law-in-ireland-1.2134138|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the above measures to discourage tobacco use, smoking rates in Ireland remain at approximately 15.4% as of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Smoking Prevalence Tracker 2020 Info Graph|url=https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/research/smoking-in-ireland-2020.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=28 May 2021|website=[[Health Service Executive]]|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306000019/https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/research/smoking-in-ireland-2020.pdf}}</ref>


===State symbols===
===State symbols===
{{Further|National symbols of Ireland}}
{{Further|Symbols of the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:Seal of the President of Ireland.png|thumb|upright=0.8|The [[seal of the president of Ireland]], incorporating a harp]]
The state shares many symbols with the [[island of Ireland]]. These include the colours green and [[St. Patrick's Blue|blue]], animals such as the [[Irish wolfhound]] and [[stag]]s, structures such as [[Irish round tower|round tower]]s and [[celtic cross]]es, and designs such as [[Celtic knot]]s and [[Triple spiral|spirals]]. The [[shamrock]], a type of [[clover]], has been a national symbol of Ireland since the 17th century when it became customary to wear it as a symbol on [[St. Patrick's Day]]. These symbols are used by state institutions as well as private bodies in the Republic of Ireland.


The state shares many symbols with the [[island of Ireland]]. These include the colours green and [[St. Patrick's Blue|blue]], animals such as the [[Irish wolfhound]] and [[stag]]s, structures such as [[Irish round tower|round towers]] and [[celtic cross]]es, and designs such as [[Celtic knot]]s and [[Triple spiral|spirals]]. The [[shamrock]], a type of [[clover]], has been a national symbol of Ireland since the 17th century when it became customary to wear it as a symbol on [[St. Patrick's Day]]. These symbols are used by state institutions as well as private bodies in the Republic of Ireland.
[[File:Seal of the President of Ireland.png|thumb|The [[seal of the President of Ireland]], incorporating a harp]]
The [[flag of Ireland]] is a [[tricolour (flag)|tricolour]] of green, white and orange. The flag originates with the [[Young Ireland]] movement of the mid-19th century but was not popularised until its use during the [[Easter Rising]] of 1916.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flags Used in Northern Ireland|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm|website=cain.ulst.ac.uk|publisher=Cain Web Service}}</ref> The colours represent the [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] tradition (green) and the followers of [[William III of England|William of Orange]] in Ireland (orange), with white representing the aspiration for peace between them.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Flag|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Flag/|website=taoiseach.gov.ie|publisher=Department of the Taoiseach}}</ref> It was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and continues to be used as the sole flag and ensign of the state. A [[naval jack]], a green flag with a yellow harp, is set out in Defence Forces Regulations and flown from the mast head of ships in addition to the national flag in limited circumstances (e.g. when a ship is not underway). It is based on the unofficial [[green ensign]] of Ireland used in the 18th and 19th centuries and the traditional green flag of Ireland dating from the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland: The Naval Service|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-naval.html#jack|website=crwflags.com|publisher=CRW Flags}}</ref>


The [[flag of Ireland]] is a [[tricolour (flag)|tricolour]] of green, white and orange. The flag originates with the [[Young Ireland]] movement of the mid-19th century but was not popularised until its use during the [[Easter Rising]] of 1916.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flags Used in Northern Ireland|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm|website=cain.ulst.ac.uk|publisher=Cain Web Service|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=14 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131904/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The colours represent the [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] tradition (green) and the followers of [[William III of England|William of Orange]] in Ireland (orange), with white representing the aspiration for peace between them.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Flag|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Flag/|website=taoiseach.gov.ie|publisher=Department of the Taoiseach|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217222424/https://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Flag/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and continues to be used as the sole flag and ensign of the state. A [[naval jack]], a green flag with a yellow harp, is set out in Defence Forces Regulations and flown from the bows of warships in addition to the national flag in limited circumstances (e.g. when a ship is not underway). It is based on the unofficial [[green ensign]] of Ireland used in the 18th and 19th centuries and the traditional green flag of Ireland dating from the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland: The Naval Service|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-naval.html#jack|website=crwflags.com|publisher=CRW Flags|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025205238/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-naval.html#jack|url-status=live}}</ref>
Like the national flag, the national anthem, ''{{lang|ga|[[Amhrán na bhFiann]]}}'' ({{lang-en|A Soldier's Song}}), has its roots in the Easter Rising, when the song was sung by the rebels. Although originally published in English in 1912,<ref name="sherry">
{{cite journal |last=Sherry |first=Ruth |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=Spring 1996 |url=http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-story-of-the-national-anthem/ |title=The Story of the National Anthem |journal=History Ireland |location=Dublin |pages=39–43}}
</ref> the song was translated into Irish in 1923 and the Irish-language version is more commonly sung today.<ref name="sherry" /> The song was officially adopted as the anthem of the Irish Free State in 1926 and continues as the national anthem of the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0016/D.0016.192607200020.html |title=Ceisteannea—Questions. Oral answers. – Saorstát National Anthem. |date=20 July 1926|work=Dáil Éireann – Volume 16 |accessdate=15 April 2015}}</ref> The first four bars of the chorus followed by the last five comprise the [[Honors music|presidential salute]].


Like the national flag, the national anthem, {{lang|ga|[[Amhrán na bhFiann]]}} ({{langx|en|A Soldier's Song}}), has its roots in the Easter Rising, when the song was sung by the rebels. Although originally published in English in 1912,<ref name="sherry">{{cite journal |last=Sherry |first=Ruth |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=Spring 1996 |url=http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-story-of-the-national-anthem/ |title=The Story of the National Anthem |journal=History Ireland |location=Dublin |pages=39–43 |access-date=5 November 2014 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104112614/https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-story-of-the-national-anthem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the song was translated into Irish in 1923 and the Irish-language version is more commonly sung today.<ref name="sherry" /> The song was officially adopted as the anthem of the Irish Free State in 1926 and continues as the national anthem of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1926-07-20/20/ |title=Ceisteannea—Questions. Oral answers. – Saorstát National Anthem. |date=20 July 1926 |work=Dáil Éireann (4th Dáil) – Vol. 16 No. 21 |access-date=15 July 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910082950/https://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0016/D.0016.192607200020.html |archive-date=10 September 2012}}</ref> The first four bars of the chorus followed by the last five comprise the [[Honors music|presidential salute]].
The [[arms of Ireland]] originate as the arms of the monarchs of Ireland and was recorded as the arms of the King of Ireland in the 12th century. From the [[union of the crowns]] of [[Kingdom of England|England]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1603, they have appeared [[Quartering (heraldry)|quartered]] on the [[royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]]. Today, they are the personal arms of the President of Ireland whilst he or she is in office and are flown as the [[Presidential Standard (Ireland)|presidential standard]]. The harp symbol is used extensively by the state to mark official documents, Irish coinage and on the [[seal of the President of Ireland]].

The [[arms of Ireland]] originate as the arms of the monarchs of Ireland and was recorded as the arms of the King of Ireland in the 12th century. From the [[union of the crowns]] of [[Kingdom of England|England]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1603, they have appeared [[Quartering (heraldry)|quartered]] on the [[royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]]. Today, they are the personal arms of the president of Ireland whilst he or she is in office and are flown as the [[Presidential Standard (Ireland)|presidential standard]]. The harp symbol is used extensively by the state to mark official documents, Irish coinage and on the [[seal of the president of Ireland]].


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Europe|Ireland}}
* [[List of Ireland-related topics]]
* [[Outline of the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[Outline of the Republic of Ireland]]
{{clear right}}
* [[List of Ireland-related topics]]
* [[Celtic languages]]
* [[Celts]]
* [[Ethnic groups in Europe]]
* [[Irish nationality law]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Notelist|refs=

{{Efn|name=nomenclature|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part2 Article 4] of the [[Constitution of Ireland]] declares that the name of the state is ''Ireland''; [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1948/en/act/pub/0022/sec0002.html Section 2] of [[the Republic of Ireland Act 1948]] declares that ''Republic of Ireland'' is "the description of the State".<ref name="Coakley2009">{{cite book |first=John |last=Coakley |title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzFPQ2pZgd0C&pg=PA76 |access-date=2 May 2011 |date=20 August 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-415-47672-0 |page=76 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225081937/https://books.google.com/books?id=fzFPQ2pZgd0C&pg=PA76%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
===Footnotes===
{{Efn|name=national language|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part2 Article 8] of the Constitution states that Irish is "the national language" and "the first official language", and that English is "a second official language".}}
{{reflist|group="note"}}
{{Efn|name=currency|Prior to 2002, Ireland used the [[Irish pound]] as its circulated currency. The euro was introduced as an accounting currency in 1999.}}

{{Efn|name=tld|The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states.}}
===Citations===
}}
{{Reflist|25em}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
<!-- Please order books alphabetically by the author's last name -->
<!-- Please order books alphabetically by the author's last name -->
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite book |title=Ireland: Neutrality and the International Use of Force |last=Gilland|first=Karin|year=2001|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-21804-7|ref=harv}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gilland|first=Karin|title=Ireland: Neutrality and the International Use of Force |year=2001|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-21804-7}}
*{{Cite book |title=Rough guide to Ireland|last=Greenwood|first=Margaret|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=1-84353-059-7|ref=harv}}
* {{Cite book |last=Greenwood|first=Margaret|title=Rough guide to Ireland|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=1-84353-059-7}}
*{{Cite book |title=James Clarence Mangan – His Selected Poems|last=Mangan|first=James Clarence|year=2007|publisher=Read Books|isbn=1-4086-2700-0|ref=harv}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mangan|first=James Clarence|title=James Clarence Mangan – His Selected Poems|year=2007|publisher=Read Books|isbn=978-1-4086-2700-6}}
*{{Cite book |title=Two thousand years of Coptic Christianity|last=Meinardus|first=Otto Friedrich August|year=2002|publisher=American Univ in Cairo Press|isbn=977-424-757-4|ref=harv}}
* {{Cite book |last=Meinardus|first=Otto Friedrich August|title=Two thousand years of Coptic Christianity|year=2002|publisher=American Univ in Cairo Press|isbn=977-424-757-4}}
*{{Cite book |title=A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland|last=Moody|first=Theodore William|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-821737-4|ref=harv}}
* {{Cite book |last=Moody|first=Theodore William|title=A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland|year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-821737-4}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{lang|ga|''Bunreacht na hÉireann''}} (the 1937 constitution)
* [[Constitution of Ireland]] (the 1937 constitution)
*''The Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922''
* ''The Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922''
*J. Anthony Foley and Stephen Lalor (ed), ''Gill & Macmillan Annotated Constitution of Ireland'' (Gill & Macmillan, 1995) (ISBN 0-7171-2276-X)
* J. Anthony Foley and Stephen Lalor (ed), ''Gill & Macmillan Annotated Constitution of Ireland'' (Gill & Macmillan, 1995) ({{ISBN|0-7171-2276-X}})
* {{cite book|first=Michael J.|last=Geary|title=An Inconvenient Wait: Ireland's Quest for Membership of the EEC, 1957–73|publisher=Institute of Public Administration|year=2009|isbn=978-1-904541-83-7}}
*FSL Lyons, ''Ireland Since the Famine''
* FSL Lyons (1 January 1985). ''Ireland Since the Famine''. {{isbn|978-0006860051}}.
*Alan J. Ward, ''The Irish Constitutional Tradition: Responsible Government and Modern Ireland 1782–1992'' (Irish Academic Press, 1994) (ISBN 0-7165-2528-3)
* {{cite book|first=Alan J.|last=Ward|title=The Irish Constitutional Tradition: Responsible Government and Modern Ireland 1782–1992 |publisher=Irish Academic Press|year=1994|isbn=0-7165-2528-3}}
*Michael J. Geary, ''An Inconvenient Wait: Ireland's Quest for Membership of the EEC, 1957–73'' (Institute of Public Administration, 2009) (ISBN 978-1-904541-83-7)
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


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; Government
===Government===
*[http://www.gov.ie/ Irish State] – ''Official governmental portal''
* [http://www.gov.ie/ Irish State] – official governmental portal
*[http://www.president.ie/ {{lang|ga|Áras an Uachtaráin}}] – Official presidential site
* [http://www.president.ie/ {{lang|ga|Áras an Uachtaráin}}] – official presidential site
*[http://taoiseach.gov.ie/ Taoiseach] – Official prime ministerial site
* [https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-taoiseach/ Taoiseach] – official prime ministerial site


; General information
===General information===
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/ Ireland]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
*{{CIA World Factbook link|ei|Ireland}}
*[http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/ei/ Ireland] information from the [[United States Department of State]]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eur/ci/ei/ Ireland] information from the [[United States Department of State]]
*{{Wayback |df=yes|date=20100729063507 |url=http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html |title=Portals to the World }} from the United States [[Library of Congress]] (Archived by the WayBackMachine)
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729063507/http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html |date=29 July 2010 |title=Portals to the World}} from the United States [[Library of Congress]] (archived by the WayBackMachine)
*[http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/ireland.htm Ireland] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080821132627/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/ireland.htm Ireland] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17473476 Ireland profile] from the [[BBC News]]
*{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Ireland|Ireland}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Ireland}}
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17473476 Ireland profile] from the [[BBC News]]
* {{osmrelation-inline|62273}}
*{{Wikiatlas|Ireland}}
*{{osmrelation-inline|62273}}
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=IE Key Development Forecasts for Ireland] from [[International Futures]]
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=IE Key Development Forecasts for Ireland] from [[International Futures]]


{{Ireland topics}}
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Latest revision as of 10:00, 17 November 2024

Ireland[a]
Éire (Irish)
Anthem: 
Amhrán na bhFiann
"The Soldiers' Song"
Location of Ireland (dark green)

– in Europe (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (light green)

Capital
and largest city
Dublin
53°20.65′N 6°16.05′W / 53.34417°N 6.26750°W / 53.34417; -6.2675053°N 8°W / 53°N 8°W / 53; -8
Official languages
Ethnic groups
(2022[2])
Religion
(2022[3])
Demonym(s)Irish
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary republic
• President
Michael D. Higgins
• Taoiseach
Simon Harris
• Tánaiste
Micheál Martin
Donal O'Donnell
LegislatureOireachtas
Seanad
Dáil
Independence 
24 April 1916
21 January 1919
6 December 1921
6 December 1922
29 December 1937
18 April 1949
Area
• Total
70,273 km2 (27,133 sq mi) (118th)
• Water (%)
2.0%
Population
• April 2024 estimate
Neutral increase 5,380,300[4] (122nd)
• 2022 census
5,149,139[5]
• Density
76.6/km2 (198.4/sq mi) (113th)
GDP (PPP)2024 estimate
• Total
Increase $691.904 billion[6] (40th)
• Per capita
Increase $127,750[6] (3rd)
GDP (nominal)2024 estimate
• Total
Increase $560.566 billion[6] (30th)
• Per capita
Increase $103,500[6] (2nd)
Gini (2022)Negative increase 27.9[7]
low inequality
HDI (2022)Increase 0.950[8]
very high (7th)
CurrencyEuro ()[c] (EUR)
Time zoneUTC (GMT)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+1 (IST)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy
Drives onleft
Calling code+353
ISO 3166 codeIE
Internet TLD.ie[d]

Ireland (Irish: Éire [ˈeːɾʲə] ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (Poblacht na hÉireann),[a] is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million.[4] The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island, with a population of about 1.5 million.[4] The sovereign state shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. It is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, St George's Channel to the south-east and the Irish Sea to the east. It is a unitary, parliamentary republic.[9] The legislature, the Oireachtas, consists of a lower house, Dáil Éireann; an upper house, Seanad Éireann; and an elected president (Uachtarán) who serves as the largely ceremonial head of state, but with some important powers and duties. The head of government is the Taoiseach (prime minister, lit.'chief'), elected by the Dáil and appointed by the president, who appoints other government ministers.

The Irish Free State was created with Dominion status in 1922, following the Anglo-Irish Treaty. In 1937, a new constitution was adopted, in which the state was named "Ireland" and effectively became a republic, with an elected non-executive president. It was officially declared a republic in 1949, following The Republic of Ireland Act 1948. Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955. It joined the European Communities (EC), the predecessor of the European Union (EU), in 1973. The state had no formal relations with Northern Ireland for most of the 20th century, but the 1980s and 1990s saw the British and Irish governments working with Northern Irish parties to resolve the conflict that had become known as the Troubles. Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the Irish government and Northern Irish government have co-operated on a number of policy areas under the North/South Ministerial Council created by the Agreement.

Ireland is a developed country with a quality of life that ranks amongst the highest in the world; after adjustments for inequality, the 2021 Human Development Index listing ranked it the sixth-highest in the world.[10] It also ranks highly in healthcare, economic freedom and freedom of the press.[11][12] It is a member of the EU and a founding member of the Council of Europe and the OECD. The Irish government has followed a policy of military neutrality through non-alignment since before World War II, and the country is consequently not a member of NATO,[13] although it is a member of Partnership for Peace and certain aspects of PESCO. Ireland's economy is advanced,[14] with one of Europe's major financial hubs being centred on Dublin. It ranks among the top five wealthiest countries in the world in terms of both GDP and GNI per capita.[15][16][17][18] After joining the EC, the country's government enacted a series of liberal economic policies that helped to boost economic growth between 1995 and 2007, a time now often referred to as the Celtic Tiger period. A recession and reversal in growth then followed during the Great Recession, which was exacerbated by the bursting of the Irish property bubble.[19] The Great Recession lasted until 2014, and was followed by a new period of strong economic growth.[20]

Name

The Irish name for Ireland is Éire, deriving from Ériu, a goddess in Irish mythology.[21] The state created in 1922, comprising 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland, was "styled and known as the Irish Free State" (Saorstát Éireann).[22] The Constitution of Ireland, adopted in 1937, says that "the name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland". Section 2 of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 states, "It is hereby declared that the description of the State shall be the Republic of Ireland." The 1948 Act does not name the state "Republic of Ireland", because to have done so would have put it in conflict with the Constitution.[23]

The government of the United Kingdom used the name "Eire" (without the diacritic) and, from 1949, "Republic of Ireland", for the state.[24] It was not until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, when the state dropped its claim to Northern Ireland, that it began calling the state "Ireland".[25][26]

The state is also informally called "the Republic", "Southern Ireland" or "the South";[27] especially when distinguishing the state from the island or when discussing Northern Ireland ("the North"). Irish republicans reserve the name "Ireland" for the whole island[26] and often refer to the state as "the Free State", "the 26 Counties",[26][28] or "the South of Ireland".[29] This is a "response to the partitionist view [...] that Ireland stops at the border".[30]

History

Home-rule movement

Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891) addressing a meeting. The Irish Parliamentary Party was formed in 1882 by Parnell.

From the Act of Union on 1 January 1801, until 6 December 1922, the island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. During the Great Famine, from 1845 to 1849, the island's population of over 8 million fell by 30%. One million Irish died of starvation and disease and another 1.5 million emigrated, mostly to the United States.[31] This set the pattern of emigration for the century to come, resulting in constant population decline up to the 1960s.[32][33][34]

From 1874, and particularly under Charles Stewart Parnell from 1880, the Irish Parliamentary Party gained prominence. This was firstly through widespread agrarian agitation via the Irish Land League, which won land reforms for tenants in the form of the Irish Land Acts, and secondly through its attempts to achieve Home Rule, via two unsuccessful bills which would have granted Ireland limited national autonomy. These led to "grass-roots" control of national affairs, under the Local Government Act 1898, that had been in the hands of landlord-dominated grand juries of the Protestant Ascendancy.

Home Rule seemed certain when the Parliament Act 1911 abolished the veto of the House of Lords, and John Redmond secured the Third Home Rule Act in 1914. However, the Unionist movement had been growing since 1886 among Irish Protestants after the introduction of the first home rule bill, fearing discrimination and loss of economic and social privileges if Irish Catholics achieved real political power. In the late 19th and early 20th-century unionism was particularly strong in parts of Ulster, where industrialisation was more common in contrast to the more agrarian rest of the island, and where the Protestant population was more prominent, with a majority in four counties.[35] Under the leadership of the Dublin-born Sir Edward Carson of the Irish Unionist Party and the Ulsterman Sir James Craig of the Ulster Unionist Party, unionists became strongly militant, forming Ulster Volunteers in order to oppose "the Coercion of Ulster".[36] After the Home Rule Bill passed parliament in May 1914, to avoid rebellion with Ulster, the British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith introduced an Amending Bill reluctantly conceded to by the Irish Party leadership. This provided for the temporary exclusion of Ulster from the workings of the bill for a trial period of six years, with an as yet undecided new set of measures to be introduced for the area to be temporarily excluded.

Revolution and steps to independence

Damage in Dublin city centre following the 1916 Easter Rising

Though it received the Royal Assent and was placed on the statute books in 1914, the implementation of the Third Home Rule Act was suspended until after the First World War which defused the threat of civil war in Ireland. With the hope of ensuring the implementation of the Act at the end of the war through Ireland's engagement in the war, Redmond and the Irish National Volunteers supported the UK and its Allies. 175,000 men joined Irish regiments of the 10th (Irish) and 16th (Irish) divisions of the New British Army, while Unionists joined the 36th (Ulster) divisions.[37]

The remainder of the Irish Volunteers, who refused Redmond and opposed any support of the UK, launched an armed insurrection against British rule in the 1916 Easter Rising, together with the Irish Citizen Army. This commenced on 24 April 1916 with the declaration of independence. After a week of heavy fighting, primarily in Dublin, the surviving rebels were forced to surrender their positions. The majority were imprisoned, with fifteen of the prisoners (including most of the leaders) were executed as traitors to the UK. This included Patrick Pearse, the spokesman for the rising and who provided the signal to the volunteers to start the rising, as well as James Connolly, socialist and founder of the Industrial Workers of the World union and both the Irish and Scottish Labour movements. These events, together with the Conscription Crisis of 1918, had a profound effect on changing public opinion in Ireland against the British Government.[38]

In January 1919, after the December 1918 general election, 73 of Ireland's 105 Members of Parliament (MPs) elected were Sinn Féin members who were elected on a platform of abstentionism from the British House of Commons. In January 1919, they set up an Irish parliament called Dáil Éireann. This first Dáil issued a declaration of independence and proclaimed an Irish Republic. The declaration was mainly a restatement of the 1916 Proclamation with the additional provision that Ireland was no longer a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Republic's Ministry of Dáil Éireann sent a delegation under Ceann Comhairle (Head of Council, or Speaker, of the Daíl) Seán T. O'Kelly to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, but it was not admitted.

Leinster House, Dublin. In 1922 a new parliament called the Oireachtas was established, of which Dáil Éireann became the lower house.

After the War of Independence and truce called in July 1921, representatives of the British government and the five Irish treaty delegates, led by Arthur Griffith, Robert Barton and Michael Collins, negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty in London from 11 October to 6 December 1921. The Irish delegates set up headquarters at Hans Place in Knightsbridge, and it was here in private discussions that the decision was taken on 5 December to recommend the treaty to Dáil Éireann. On 7 January 1922, the Second Dáil ratified the Treaty by 64 votes to 57.[39]

In accordance with the treaty, on 6 December 1922 the entire island of Ireland became a self-governing Dominion called the Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann). Under the Constitution of the Irish Free State, the Parliament of Northern Ireland had the option to leave the Irish Free State one month later and return to the United Kingdom. During the intervening period, the powers of the Parliament of the Irish Free State and Executive Council of the Irish Free State did not extend to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland exercised its right under the treaty to leave the new Dominion and rejoined the United Kingdom on 8 December 1922. It did so by making an address to the King requesting, "that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland."[40] The Irish Free State was a constitutional monarchy sharing a monarch with the United Kingdom and other Dominions of the British Commonwealth. The country had a governor-general (representing the monarch), a bicameral parliament, a cabinet called the "Executive Council", and a prime minister called the President of the Executive Council.

Irish Civil War

Éamon de Valera, Irish political leader, pictured outside Ennis Courthouse in 1917. He would later be involved in introducing the 1937 Constitution of Ireland.

The Irish Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923) was the consequence of the ratification of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State.[41] Anti-treaty forces, led by Éamon de Valera, objected to the fact that acceptance of the treaty abolished the Irish Republic of 1919 to which they had sworn loyalty, arguing in the face of public support for the settlement that the "people have no right to do wrong".[42] They objected most to the fact that the state would remain part of the British Empire and that members of the Free State Parliament would have to swear what the anti-treaty side saw as an oath of fidelity to the British king. Pro-treaty forces, led by Michael Collins, argued that the treaty gave "not the ultimate freedom that all nations aspire to and develop, but the freedom to achieve it".[43]

At the start of the war, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) split into two opposing camps: a pro-treaty IRA and an anti-treaty IRA. The pro-treaty IRA disbanded and joined the new National Army. However, because the anti-treaty IRA lacked an effective command structure and because of the pro-treaty forces' defensive tactics throughout the war, Michael Collins and his pro-treaty forces were able to build up an army with many tens of thousands of World War I veterans from the 1922 disbanded Irish regiments of the British Army, capable of overwhelming the anti-treatyists. British supplies of artillery, aircraft, machine-guns and ammunition boosted pro-treaty forces, and the threat of a return of Crown forces to the Free State removed any doubts about the necessity of enforcing the treaty. Lack of public support for the anti-treaty forces (often called the Irregulars) and the determination of the government to overcome the Irregulars contributed significantly to their defeat.[citation needed]

Constitution of Ireland 1937

The Constitution Committee meeting at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

Following a national plebiscite in July 1937, the new Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) came into force on 29 December 1937.[44] This replaced the Constitution of the Irish Free State and declared that the name of the state is Éire, or "Ireland" in the English language.[45] While Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution defined the national territory to be the whole island, they also confined the state's jurisdiction to the area that had been the Irish Free State. The former Irish Free State government had abolished the Office of Governor-General in December 1936. Although the constitution established the office of President of Ireland, the question over whether Ireland was a republic remained open. Diplomats were accredited to the king, but the president exercised all internal functions of a head of state.[46] For instance, the President gave assent to new laws with his own authority, without reference to King George VI who was only an "organ", that was provided for by statute law.

Ireland remained neutral during World War II, a period it described as The Emergency.[47] Ireland's Dominion status was terminated with the passage of The Republic of Ireland Act 1948, which came into force on 18 April 1949 and declared that the state was a republic.[48][49] At the time, a declaration of a republic terminated Commonwealth membership. This rule was changed 10 days after Ireland declared itself a republic, with the London Declaration of 28 April 1949. Ireland did not reapply when the rules were altered to permit republics to join. Later, the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 was repealed in Ireland by the Statute Law Revision (Pre-Union Irish Statutes) Act 1962.[50]

Recent history

In 1973 Ireland joined the European Economic Community along with the United Kingdom and Denmark. The country signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007.

Ireland became a member of the United Nations in December 1955, after having been denied membership because of its neutral stance during the Second World War and not supporting the Allied cause.[51] At the time, joining the UN involved a commitment to using force to deter aggression by one state against another if the UN thought it was necessary.[52]

Interest towards membership of the European Communities (EC) developed in Ireland during the 1950s, with consideration also given to membership of the European Free Trade Area. As the United Kingdom intended on EC membership, Ireland applied for membership in July 1961 due to the substantial economic linkages with the United Kingdom. The founding EC members remained sceptical regarding Ireland's economic capacity, neutrality, and unattractive protectionist policy.[53] Many Irish economists and politicians realised that economic policy reform was necessary. The prospect of EC membership became doubtful in 1963 when French President General Charles de Gaulle stated that France opposed Britain's accession, which ceased negotiations with all other candidate countries. In 1969 his successor, Georges Pompidou, was not opposed to British and Irish membership. Negotiations began and in 1972 the Treaty of Accession was signed. A referendum was held later that year which confirmed Ireland's entry into the bloc, and it finally joined the EC as a member state on 1 January 1973.[54]

The economic crisis of the late 1970s was fuelled by the Fianna Fáil government's budget, the abolition of the car tax, excessive borrowing, and global economic instability including the 1979 oil crisis.[55] There were significant policy changes from 1989 onwards, with economic reform, tax cuts, welfare reform, an increase in competition, and a ban on borrowing to fund current spending. This policy began in 1989–1992 by the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats government, and continued by the subsequent Fianna Fáil/Labour government and Fine Gael/Labour/Democratic Left government. Ireland became one of the world's fastest growing economies by the late 1990s in what was known as the Celtic Tiger period, which lasted until the Great Recession. Since 2014, Ireland has experienced increased economic activity.[56]

In the Northern Ireland question, the British and Irish governments started to seek a peaceful resolution to the violent conflict involving many paramilitaries and the British Army in Northern Ireland known as "The Troubles". A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement, was approved in 1998 in referendums north and south of the border. As part of the peace settlement, the territorial claim to Northern Ireland in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland was removed by referendum. In its white paper on Brexit the United Kingdom government reiterated its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement. With regard to Northern Ireland's status, it said that the UK Government's "clearly-stated preference is to retain Northern Ireland's current constitutional position: as part of the UK, but with strong links to Ireland".[57]

Geography

The Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast
MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range

The state extends over an area of about five-sixths (70,273 km2 or 27,133 sq mi) of the island of Ireland (84,421 km2 or 32,595 sq mi), with Northern Ireland constituting the remainder. The island is bounded to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the northeast by the North Channel. To the east, the Irish Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean via St George's Channel and the Celtic Sea to the southwest.

The western landscape mostly consists of rugged cliffs, hills and mountains. The central lowlands are extensively covered with glacial deposits of clay and sand, as well as significant areas of bogland and several lakes. The highest point is Carrauntoohil (1,038.6 m or 3,407 ft), located in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in the southwest. River Shannon, which traverses the central lowlands, is the longest river in Ireland at 386 kilometres or 240 miles in length. The west coast is more rugged than the east, with numerous islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays.

Ireland is one of the least forested countries in Europe.[58] Until the end of the Middle Ages, the land was heavily forested. Native species include deciduous trees such as oak, ash, hazel, birch, alder, willow, aspen, elm, rowan and hawthorn, as well as evergreen trees such Scots pine, yew, holly and strawberry trees.[59] The growth of blanket bog and the extensive clearing of woodland for farming are believed to be the main causes of deforestation.[60] Today, only about 10% of Ireland is woodland,[61] most of which is non-native conifer plantations, and only 2% of which is native woodland.[62][63] The average woodland cover in European countries is over 33%.[61] According to Coillte, a state-owned forestry business, the country's climate gives Ireland one of the fastest growth rates for forests in Europe.[64] Hedgerows, which are traditionally used to define land boundaries, are an important substitute for woodland habitat, providing refuge for native wild flora and a wide range of insect, bird and mammal species.[65] It is home to two terrestrial ecoregions: Celtic broadleaf forests and North Atlantic moist mixed forests.[66]

Agriculture accounts for about 64% of the total land area.[67] This has resulted in limited land to preserve natural habitats, in particular for larger wild mammals with greater territorial requirements.[68] The long history of agricultural production coupled with modern agricultural methods, such as pesticide and fertiliser use, has placed pressure on biodiversity.[69]

Climate

Wicklow Mountains National Park

The Atlantic Ocean and the warming influence of the Gulf Stream affect weather patterns in Ireland.[70] Temperatures differ regionally, with central and eastern areas tending to be more extreme. However, due to a temperate oceanic climate, temperatures are seldom lower than −5 °C (23 °F) in winter or higher than 26 °C (79 °F) in summer.[71] The highest temperature recorded in Ireland was 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) on 26 June 1887 at Kilkenny Castle in Kilkenny, while the lowest temperature recorded was −19.1 °C (−2.4 °F) at Markree Castle in Sligo.[72] Rainfall is more prevalent during winter months and less so during the early months of summer. Southwestern areas experience the most rainfall as a result of south westerly winds, while Dublin receives the least. Sunshine duration is highest in the southeast of the country.[70] The far north and west are two of the windiest regions in Europe, with great potential for wind energy generation.[73]

Ireland normally gets between 1100 and 1600 hours of sunshine each year, most areas averaging between 3.25 and 3.75 hours a day. The sunniest months are May and June, which average between 5 and 6.5 hours per day over most of the country. The extreme southeast gets most sunshine, averaging over 7 hours a day in early summer. December is the dullest month, with an average daily sunshine ranging from about 1 hour in the north to almost 2 hours in the extreme southeast. The sunniest summer in the 100 years from 1881 to 1980 was 1887, according to measurements made at the Phoenix Park in Dublin; 1980 was the dullest.[74]

Politics

Ireland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Oireachtas is the bicameral national parliament composed of the President of Ireland and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (Senate).[75] Áras an Uachtaráin is the official residence of the President of Ireland, while the houses of the Oireachtas meet at Leinster House in Dublin.

The President serves as head of state, is elected for a seven-year term, and may be re-elected once. The President is primarily a figurehead, but is entrusted with certain constitutional powers with the advice of the Council of State. The office has absolute discretion in some areas, such as referring a bill to the Supreme Court for a judgment on its constitutionality.[76] Michael D. Higgins became the ninth President of Ireland on 11 November 2011.[77]

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister) serves as the head of government and is appointed by the President upon the nomination of the Dáil. Most Taoisigh have served as the leader of the political party that gains the most seats in national elections. It has become customary for coalitions to form a government, as there has not been a single-party government since 1989.[78]

The Dáil has 160 members (Teachtaí Dála) elected to represent multi-seat constituencies under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The Seanad is composed of sixty members, with eleven nominated by the Taoiseach, six elected by two university constituencies, and 43 elected by public representatives from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis.

The government is constitutionally limited to fifteen members. No more than two members can be selected from the Seanad, and the Taoiseach, Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Finance must be members of the Dáil. The Dáil must be dissolved within five years of its first meeting following the previous election,[79] and a general election for members of the Dáil must take place no later than thirty days after the dissolution. In accordance with the Constitution of Ireland, parliamentary elections must be held at least every seven years, though a lower limit may be set by statute law. The current government is a coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party with Simon Harris of Fine Gael as Taoiseach and Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil as Tánaiste. Opposition parties in the current Dáil are Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, People Before Profit–Solidarity, Social Democrats, Aontú, as well as a number of independents.

Ireland has been a member state of the European Union since 1973. Citizens of the United Kingdom can freely enter the country without a passport due to the Common Travel Area, which is a passport-free zone comprising the islands of Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. However, some identification is required at airports and seaports.

Local government

The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 was the founding statute of the present system of local government, while the Twentieth Amendment to the constitution of 1999 provided for its constitutional recognition. The twenty-six traditional counties of Ireland are the basis of the local government areas, with the traditional counties of Cork, Dublin and Galway containing two or more local government areas. The Local Government Act 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014,[80] provides for a system of thirty-one local authorities – twenty-six county councils, two city and county councils, and three city councils.[80] Counties (with the exception of the three counties in Dublin) are divided into municipal districts. A second local government tier of town councils was abolished in 2014.

  1. Fingal
  2. Dublin City
  3. Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
  4. South Dublin
  5. Wicklow
  6. Wexford
  7. Carlow
  8. Kildare
  9. Meath
  10. Louth
  11. Monaghan
  12. Cavan
  13. Longford
  14. Westmeath
  15. Offaly
  16. Laois
  1. Kilkenny
  2. Waterford
  3. Cork City
  4. Cork
  5. Kerry
  6. Limerick
  7. Tipperary
  8. Clare
  9. Galway
  10. Galway City
  11. Mayo
  12. Roscommon
  13. Sligo
  14. Leitrim
  15. Donegal

Local authorities are responsible for matters such as planning, local roads, sanitation, and libraries. The breaching of county boundaries should be avoided as far as practicable in drawing Dáil constituencies. Counties with greater populations have multiple constituencies, some of more than one county, but generally do not cross county boundaries. The counties are grouped into three regions, each with a Regional Assembly composed of members delegated by the various county and city councils in the region. The regions do not have any direct administrative role as such, but they serve for planning, coordination and statistical purposes.

Law

The Four Courts, completed in 1802, is the principal building for civil courts.

Ireland has a common law legal system with a written constitution that provides for a parliamentary democracy. The court system consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Circuit Court and the District Court, all of which apply the Irish law and hear both civil and criminal matters. Trials for serious offences must usually be held before a jury. The High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have authority, by means of judicial review, to determine the compatibility of laws and activities of other institutions of the state with the constitution and the law. Except in exceptional circumstances, court hearings must occur in public.[81][82]

The Criminal Courts of Justice is the principal building for criminal courts.

The Garda Síochána (lit. Guardians of the Peace), more commonly referred to as the Gardaí, is the state's civilian police force. The force is responsible for all aspects of civil policing, both in terms of territory and infrastructure. It is headed by the Garda Commissioner, who is appointed by the Government. Most uniformed members do not routinely carry firearms. Standard policing is traditionally carried out by uniformed officers equipped only with a baton and pepper spray.[83]

The Military Police is the corps of the Irish Army responsible for the provision of policing service personnel and providing a military police presence to forces while on exercise and deployment. In wartime, additional tasks include the provision of a traffic control organisation to allow rapid movement of military formations to their mission areas. Other wartime roles include control of prisoners of war and refugees.[84]

Ireland's citizenship laws relate to "the island of Ireland", including islands and seas, thereby extending them to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, anyone born in Northern Ireland who meets the requirements for being an Irish citizen, such as birth on the island of Ireland to an Irish or British citizen parent or a parent who is entitled to live in Northern Ireland or the Republic without restriction on their residency,[85] may exercise an entitlement to Irish citizenship, such as an Irish passport.[86]

Foreign relations

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and US President Joe Biden, at the White House, Washington, D.C., on 17 March 2023

Foreign relations are substantially influenced by membership of the European Union, although bilateral relations with the United Kingdom and United States are also important.[87] It held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on six occasions, most recently from January to June 2013.[88]

Ireland tends towards independence in foreign policy; thus the country is not a member of NATO and has a longstanding policy of military neutrality. This policy has led to the Irish Defence Forces contributing to peace-keeping missions with the United Nations since 1960, including during the Congo Crisis and subsequently in Cyprus, Lebanon and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[89]

Despite Irish neutrality during World War II, Ireland had more than 50,000 participants in the war through enlistment in the British armed forces. During the Cold War, Irish military policy, while ostensibly neutral, was biased towards NATO.[90] During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Seán Lemass authorised the search of Cuban and Czechoslovak aircraft passing through Shannon and passed the information to the CIA.[91] Ireland's air facilities were used by the United States military for the delivery of military personnel involved in the 2003 invasion of Iraq through Shannon Airport. The airport had previously been used for the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, as well as the First Gulf War.[92]

Since 1999, Ireland has been a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), which is aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union.[93][94]

Military

Irish Army soldiers as part of Kosovo Force, 2010

Ireland is a neutral country,[95] and has "triple-lock" rules governing the participation of Irish troops in conflict zones, whereby approval must be given by the UN, the Dáil and Government.[96] Accordingly, its military role is limited to national self-defence and participation in United Nations peacekeeping.

The Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann) are made up of the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force. It is small but well equipped, with almost 10,000 full-time military personnel and over 2,000 in reserve.[97][98] Daily deployments of the Defence Forces cover aid to civil power operations, protection and patrol of Irish territorial waters and EEZ by the Irish Naval Service, and UN, EU and PfP peace-keeping missions. By 1996, over 40,000 Irish service personnel had served in international UN peacekeeping missions.[99]

The Irish Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces and operates sixteen fixed wing aircraft and eight helicopters. The Irish Naval Service is Ireland's navy, and operates six patrol ships, and smaller numbers of inflatable boats and training vessels, and has armed boarding parties capable of seizing a ship and a special unit of frogmen. The military includes the Reserve Defence Forces (Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve) for part-time reservists. Ireland's special forces include the Army Ranger Wing, which trains and operates with international special operations units. The President is the formal Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, but in practice these Forces answer to the Government via the Minister for Defence.[100]

In 2017, Ireland signed the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.[101]

Economy

Ireland is an open economy and ranks first for "high-value" foreign direct investment (FDI) flows.[102] Ireland ranks 5th of 187 (IMF) and 6th of 175 (World Bank) in GDP per capita as well as ranking in the top ten for GNI per capita. An alternative metric, known as modified Gross National Income (GNI), was created by the Central Statistics Office and is used by the Irish government to give a view of activity in the domestic economy after stripping out large multinational export movements which can often relate to intangible assets.[103] This is particularly relevant in Ireland's economy, as GDP disproportionately includes income from non-Irish owned companies, which often flows out of Ireland.[104] Foreign multinationals are the main driver of Ireland's economy, employing a quarter of the private sector workforce,[105] and paying 80% of Irish corporate taxes.[106][107][108] 14 of Ireland's top 20 firms (by 2017 turnover) are US-based multinationals[109] and 80% of foreign multinationals in Ireland are from the US.[110][111][109]

Ireland is part of the EU (dark blue & light blue) and Eurozone (dark blue).

Ireland adopted the euro currency in 2002 along with eleven other EU member states.[69] As of January 2023 there are 20 EU member states using the euro currency with Croatia the most recent member to join on 1 January 2023.[112]

Following the Great Recession and the bursting of the Irish property bubble, the country officially exited recession in 2010, driven by a growth in exports from US multinationals in Ireland.[113] However, due to a rise in the cost of public borrowing due to government guarantees of private banking debt, the Irish government accepted an €85 billion programme of assistance from the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral loans from the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark.[114] Following three years of contraction, the economy grew by 0.7% in 2011 and 0.9% in 2012.[115] The unemployment rate was 14.7% in 2012, including 18.5% among recent immigrants.[116] In March 2016 the unemployment rate was reported by the CSO to be 8.6%, down from a peak unemployment rate of 15.1% in February 2012.[117] In addition to unemployment, net emigration from Ireland between 2008 and 2013 totalled 120,100,[118] or some 2.6% of the total population according to the Census of Ireland 2011. One-third of the emigrants were aged between 15 and 24.[118] As of November 2022, unemployment had fallen back to 4.4%.[119][needs update]

Ireland exited its EU-IMF bailout programme on 15 December 2013.[120] Having implemented budget cuts, reforms and sold assets, Ireland was again able to access debt markets. Since then, Ireland has been able to sell long term bonds at record rates.[121] However, the stabilisation of the Irish credit bubble required a large transfer of debt from the private sector balance sheet (highest OECD leverage), to the public sector balance sheet (almost unleveraged, pre-crisis), via Irish bank bailouts and public deficit spending.[122][123] The transfer of this debt means that Ireland, in 2017, still has one of the highest levels of both public sector indebtedness, and private sector indebtedness, in the EU-28/OECD.[124][125][126][127][128][129]

Ireland became one of the main destinations for US pharmaceutical corporate tax inversions from 2009 to 2016.[130][131] The country has also became the largest foreign location for large US technology multinationals (i.e. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook), which delivered a GDP growth rate of 26.3% (and GNP growth rate of 18.7%) in 2015. This growth was subsequently shown to be due to Apple restructuring its "double Irish" subsidiary (Apple Sales International, currently under threat of a €13bn EU "illegal state aid" fine for preferential tax treatment).

Taxation policy

The transformation of Ireland's tax policy started with the creation of a 10% low-tax "special economic zone", called the International Financial Services Centre (or "IFSC"), in 1987.[132] In 1999, the entire country was effectively "turned into an IFSC" with the reduction of Irish corporation tax from 32% to 12.5%.[133][134] This accelerated the later stages of Ireland's transition from a predominantly agricultural economy into a knowledge and service economy initially focused on property and construction and later focused on attracting mainly US multinationals from high-tech, life sciences, and financial services industries seeking to avail of Ireland's low corporation tax rates and favourable corporate tax system.

The multinational tax schemes foreign firms use in Ireland materially distort Irish economic statistics. This reached a climax with the "leprechaun economics" GDP/GNP growth rates of 2015 (as Apple restructured its Irish subsidiaries in 2015). The Central Bank of Ireland introduced a new statistic, Modified gross national income, to remove these distortions. GNI* is 30% below GDP (or, GDP is 143% of GNI).[135][136][137][138][139]

From the creation of the IFSC, the country experienced strong and sustained economic growth which fuelled a dramatic rise in Irish consumer borrowing and spending, and Irish construction and investment, which became known as the Celtic Tiger period.[140][141] By 2007, Ireland had the highest private sector debt in the OECD with a household debt-to-disposable income ratio of 190%. Global capital markets, who had financed Ireland's build-up of debt in the Celtic Tiger period by enabling Irish banks to borrow in excess of the domestic deposit base (to over 180% at peak[142]), withdrew support in the financial crisis of 2007–2008. Their withdrawal from the over-borrowed Irish credit system would precipitate a deep Irish property correction which then led to the Post-2008 Irish banking crisis.[143][140]

Ireland's successful "low-tax" economy opens it to accusations of being a "corporate tax haven",[144][145][146] and led to it being "blacklisted" by Brazil.[147][148] A 2017 study ranks Ireland as the 5th largest global Conduit OFC, which legally route funds to tax havens. A serious challenge is the passing of the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (whose FDII and GILTI regimes target Ireland's multinational tax schemes).[149][150][151][152] The EU's 2018 Digital Sales Tax (DST)[153] (and desire for a CCCTB[154]) is also seen as an attempt to restrict Irish "multinational tax schemes" by US technology firms.[155][156][157]

Trade

The International Financial Services Centre in Dublin

Although multinational corporations dominate Ireland's export sector, exports from other sources also contribute significantly to the national income. The activities of multinational companies based in Ireland have made it one of the largest exporters of pharmaceutical agents, medical devices and software-related goods and services in the world. Ireland's exports also relate to the activities of large Irish companies (such as Ryanair, Kerry Group and Smurfit Kappa) and exports of mineral resources including zinc and lead concentrates. The country also has significant deposits of gypsum and smaller quantities of copper, silver, gold, barite, and dolomite.[69] Tourism in Ireland contributes about 4% of GDP and is a significant source of employment.

Other goods exports include agri-food, cattle, beef, dairy products, and aluminum. Ireland's major imports include data processing equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, and clothing. Financial services provided by multinational corporations based at the Irish Financial Services Centre also contribute to Irish exports. The difference between exports (€89.4 billion) and imports (€45.5 billion) resulted an annual trade surplus of €43.9 billion in 2010,[158] which is the highest trade surplus relative to GDP achieved by any EU member state.

The EU is by far the country's largest trading partner, accounting for 57.9% of exports and 60.7% of imports. Prior to Brexit, the United Kingdom was the most important trading partner within the EU, accounting for 15.4% of exports and 32.1% of imports. Outside the EU, the United States accounted for 23.2% of exports and 14.1% of imports in 2010.[158]

Energy

A wind farm in County Wexford

ESB, Bord Gáis Energy and Airtricity are the three main electricity and gas suppliers in Ireland. There are 19.82 billion cubic metres of proven reserves of gas.[69][159] Natural gas extraction previously occurred at the Kinsale Head until its exhaustion. The Corrib gas field was due to come on stream in 2013/14. In 2012, the Barryroe field was confirmed to have up to 1.6 billion barrels of oil in reserve, with between 160 and 600 million recoverable.[160] That could provide for Ireland's entire energy needs for up to 13 years, when it is developed in 2015/16.

There have been significant efforts to increase the use of renewable and sustainable forms of energy in Ireland, particularly in wind power, with 3,000 MegaWatts[161] of wind farms being constructed, some for the purpose of export.[162] The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has estimated that 6.5% of Ireland's 2011 energy requirements were produced by renewable sources.[163] The SEAI has also reported an increase in energy efficiency in Ireland with a 28% reduction in carbon emissions per house from 2005 to 2013.[164]

As of 2021, Ireland was the 24th largest wind energy producer in the world and the 3rd ranked in 2020 on a per capita basis.[165]

Transport

The country's three main international airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork serve many European and intercontinental routes with scheduled and chartered flights. The London to Dublin air route is the ninth busiest international air route in the world, and also the busiest international air route in Europe, with 14,500 flights between the two in 2017.[166][167] In 2015, 4.5 million people took the route, at that time, the world's second-busiest.[166] Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland, although Ryanair is the country's largest airline. Ryanair is Europe's largest low-cost carrier,[168] the second largest in terms of passenger numbers, and the world's largest in terms of international passenger numbers.[169]

Iarnród Éireann trains at Heuston station

Railway services are provided by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), which operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the country. Dublin is the centre of the network with two main stations, Heuston station and Connolly station, linking to the country's cities and main towns. The Enterprise service, which runs jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, connects Dublin and Belfast. The whole of Ireland's mainline network operates on track with a gauge of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), which is unique in Europe and has resulted in distinct rolling stock designs. Dublin's public transport network includes the DART, Luas, Dublin Bus, and dublinbikes.[170]

Motorways, national primary roads and national secondary roads are managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, while regional roads and local roads are managed by the local authorities in each of their respective areas. The road network is primarily focused on the capital, but motorways connect it to other major Irish cities including Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.[171]

Dublin is served by major infrastructure such as the East-Link and West-Link toll-bridges, as well as the Dublin Port Tunnel. The Jack Lynch Tunnel, under the River Lee in Cork, and the Limerick Tunnel, under the River Shannon, were two major projects outside Dublin.[172]

Demographics

Population of Ireland since 1951

Genetic research suggests that the earliest settlers migrated from Iberia following the most recent ice age.[173] After the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age, migrants introduced a Celtic language and culture. Migrants from the two latter eras still represent the genetic heritage of most Irish people.[174][175] Gaelic tradition expanded and became the dominant form over time. Irish people are a combination of Gaelic, Norse, Anglo-Norman, French, and British ancestry.

The population of Ireland stood at 5,149,139 in 2022, an increase of 8% since 2016.[176] As of 2011, Ireland had the highest birth rate in the European Union (16 births per 1,000 of population).[177] In 2014, 36.3% of births were to unmarried women.[178] Annual population growth rates exceeded 2% during the 2002–2006 intercensal period, which was attributed to high rates of natural increase and immigration.[179] This rate declined somewhat during the subsequent 2006–2011 intercensal period, with an average annual percentage change of 1.6%. The total fertility rate (TFR) in 2017 was estimated at 1.80 children born per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1, it remains considerably below the high of 4.2 children born per woman in 1850.[180] In 2018 the median age of the Irish population was 37.1 years.[181]

At the time of the 2022 census, the number of non-Irish nationals was recorded at 631,785. This represents an 8% increase from the 2016 census figure of 535,475.[182] The five largest sources of non-Irish nationals were Poland (93,680), the UK (83,347), India (45,449), Romania (43,323), Lithuania (31,177), and Latvia (27,338) respectively. The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest increase from 2016 were India (+33,984), Romania (+14,137), Brazil (+13,698), Ukraine (+10,006). The non-Irish nationalities which saw the largest decrease from 2016 were Poland (−28,835), UK (−19,766), Lithuania (−5,375), Latvia (−1,633), and Slovakia (−1,117).[183]

Largest List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland by population (2022 census)[184]


Dublin

Cork

# Settlement Population # Settlement Population


Limerick

Galway

1 Dublin 1,263,219 11 Ennis 27,923
2 Cork 222,526 12 Carlow 27,351
3 Limerick 102,287 13 Kilkenny 27,184
4 Galway 85,910 14 Naas 26,180
5 Waterford 60,079 15 Tralee 26,079
6 Drogheda 44,135 16 Newbridge 24,366
8 Dundalk 43,112 17 Balbriggan 24,322
7 Swords 40,776 18 Portlaoise 23,494
9 Navan 33,886 19 Athlone 22,869
10 Bray 33,512 20 Mullingar 22,667

Languages

Percentage of population speaking Irish daily (outside the education system) in the 2011 census

The Irish Constitution describes Irish as the "national language" and the "first official language", but English (the "second official language") is the dominant language. In the 2016 census, about 1.75 million people (40% of the population) said they were able to speak Irish but, of those, under 74,000 spoke it on a daily basis.[185] Irish is spoken as a community language only in a small number of rural areas mostly in the west and south of the country, collectively known as the Gaeltacht. Except in Gaeltacht regions, road signs are usually bilingual.[186] Most public notices and print media are in English only. While the state is officially bilingual, citizens can often struggle to access state services in Irish and most government publications are not available in both languages, even though citizens have the right to deal with the state in Irish. Irish language media include the TV channel TG4, the radio station RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and online newspaper Tuairisc.ie. In the Irish Defence Forces, all foot and arms drill commands are given in the Irish language.

As a result of immigration, Polish is the most widely spoken language in Ireland after English, with Irish as the third most spoken.[187] Several other Central European languages (namely Czech, Hungarian and Slovak), as well as Baltic languages (Lithuanian and Latvian) are also spoken on a day-to-day basis. Other languages spoken in Ireland include Shelta, spoken by Irish Travellers, and a dialect of Scots is spoken by some Ulster Scots people in Donegal.[188] Most secondary school students choose to learn one or two foreign languages. Languages available for the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate include French, German, Italian and Spanish; Leaving Certificate students can also study Arabic, Japanese and Russian. Some secondary schools also offer Ancient Greek, Hebrew and Latin. The study of Irish is generally compulsory for Leaving Certificate students, but some may qualify for an exemption in some circumstances, such as learning difficulties or entering the country after age 11.[189]

Healthcare

RCSI Disease and Research Centre at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin

Healthcare in Ireland is provided by both public and private healthcare providers.[190] The Minister for Health has responsibility for setting overall health service policy. Every resident of Ireland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive and funded by general taxation. A person may be required to pay a subsidised fee for certain health care received; this depends on income, age, illness or disability. All maternity services are provided free of charge and children up to the age of 6 months. Emergency care is provided to patients who present to a hospital emergency department. However, visitors to emergency departments in non-emergency situations who are not referred by their GP may incur a fee of €100. In some circumstances this fee is not payable or may be waived.[191]

Anyone holding a European Health Insurance Card is entitled to free maintenance and treatment in public beds in Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals. Outpatient services are also provided for free. However, the majority of patients on median incomes or above are required to pay subsidised hospital charges. Private health insurance is available to the population for those who want to avail of it.

The average life expectancy in Ireland in 2021 was 82.4 years (OECD list), with 80.5 years for men and 84.3 years for women.[192][193] It has the highest birth rate in the EU (16.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to an EU average of 10.7)[194] and a very low infant mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 live births). The Irish healthcare system ranked 13th out of 34 European countries in 2012 according to the European Health Consumer Index produced by Health Consumer Powerhouse.[195] The same report ranked the Irish healthcare system as having the 8th best health outcomes but only the 21st most accessible system in Europe.

Education

University College Cork was founded in 1845 and is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland.

Ireland has three levels of education: primary, secondary and higher education. The education systems are largely under the direction of the Government via the Minister for Education. Recognised primary and secondary schools must adhere to the curriculum established by the relevant authorities. Education is compulsory between the ages of six and fifteen years, and all children up to the age of eighteen must complete the first three years of secondary, including one sitting of the Junior Certificate examination.[196]

There are approximately 3,300 primary schools in Ireland.[197] The vast majority (92%) are under the patronage of the Catholic Church. Schools run by religious organisations, but receiving public money and recognition, cannot discriminate against pupils based upon religion or lack thereof. A sanctioned system of preference does exist, where students of a particular religion may be accepted before those who do not share the ethos of the school, in a case where a school's quota has already been reached.

The longroom at the Trinity College Library

The Leaving Certificate, which is taken after two years of study, is the final examination in the secondary school system. Those intending to pursue higher education normally take this examination, with access to third-level courses generally depending on results obtained from the best six subjects taken, on a competitive basis.[198] Third-level education awards are conferred by at least 38 Higher Education Institutions – this includes the constituent or linked colleges of seven universities, plus other designated institutions of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. According to the 2022 US News rankings, Ireland is among the top twenty best countries for education.[199]

The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks Ireland as having the fourth highest reading score, ninth highest science score and thirteenth highest mathematics score, among OECD countries, in its 2012 assessment.[200] In 2012, Irish students aged 15 years had the second highest levels of reading literacy in the EU.[201] Ireland also has 0.747 of the World's top 500 Universities per capita, which ranks the country in 8th place in the world.[202] Primary, secondary and higher (university/college) level education are all free in Ireland for all EU citizens.[203] There are charges to cover student services and examinations.

In addition, 37 percent of Ireland's population has a university or college degree, which is among the highest percentages in the world.[204][205]

Religion

Religion in the Republic of Ireland[3]
Religion Percent
Catholic Church
69.1%
Non-religious
14.5%
Protestant
4.0%
Muslim
1.6%
Not Stated
6.7%
Other
4.1%

Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland, and the country's constitution has been secular since 1973. Christianity is the predominant religion, and while Ireland remains a predominantly Catholic country, the percentage of the population who identified as Catholic on the census fell sharply from 84.2 percent in the 2011 census to 78.3 percent in 2016 and 69 percent in 2022.[206][207] Other results from the 2016 census were: 4.2% Protestant, 1.3% Orthodox, 1.3% as Muslim, and 9.8% as having no religion.[208] According to a Georgetown University study, before 2000 the country had one of the highest rates of regular mass attendance in the Western world.[209] While daily attendance was 13% in 2006, there was a reduction in weekly attendance from 81% in 1990 to 48% in 2006; the decline was reported as stabilising, though.[210] In 2011, it was reported that weekly mass attendance in Dublin was 18% and even lower among younger generations.[211]

St Mary's Pro-Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic Church in Dublin.
St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, is the national Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

The Church of Ireland, at 2.7% of the population, is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century but experienced an increase early in the 21st century alongside other Christian denominations. Other significant Protestant denominations are the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Church. Immigration has contributed to a growth in Hindu and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, as of the 2006 census, Orthodox Christianity and Islam were the fastest growing religions with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.[212]

Ireland's patron saints are Saint Patrick, Saint Bridget, and Saint Columba; Saint Patrick is commonly recognised as the primary patron saint.[213] Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March in Ireland and abroad as the Irish national day with parades and other celebrations.

As with other traditionally Catholic European states, such as Spain and Italy,[214] Ireland underwent a period of legal secularisation in the late twentieth century. In 1972, the article of the Constitution naming specific religious groups was deleted by the Fifth Amendment in a referendum. Article 44 remains in the Constitution: "The State acknowledges that the homage of public worship is due to Almighty God. It shall hold His Name in reverence, and shall respect and honour religion." The article also establishes freedom of religion, prohibits endowment of any religion, prohibits the state from religious discrimination, and requires the state to treat religious and non-religious schools in a non-prejudicial manner.

Although most schools in Ireland are patronised by religious organisations, government policy has been to "transfer" some schools to non-denominational or multi-denominational patronage,[215][216] and a secularist trend is occurring among younger generations.[217]

Culture

Ireland's culture was for centuries predominantly Gaelic, and it remains one of the six principal Celtic nations. Following the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century, and gradual British conquest and colonisation beginning in the 16th century, Ireland became influenced by English and Scottish culture. Subsequently, Irish culture, though distinct in many aspects, shares characteristics with the rest of the Anglosphere, Catholic Europe, and other Celtic regions. The Irish diaspora, one of the world's largest and most dispersed, has contributed to the globalisation of Irish culture, producing many prominent figures in art, music, and science.

Literature

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

Ireland has made a significant contribution to world literature in both the English and Irish languages. Modern Irish fiction began with the publishing of the 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Other writers of importance during the 18th century and their most notable works include Laurence Sterne with the publication of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and Oliver Goldsmith's The Vicar of Wakefield. Numerous Irish novelists emerged during the 19th century, including Maria Edgeworth, John Banim, Gerald Griffin, Charles Kickham, William Carleton, George Moore, and Somerville and Ross. Bram Stoker is best known as the author of the 1897 novel Dracula.

James Joyce (1882–1941) published his most famous work Ulysses in 1922, which is an interpretation of the Odyssey set in Dublin. Edith Somerville continued writing after the death of her partner Martin Ross in 1915. Dublin's Annie M. P. Smithson was one of several authors catering for fans of romantic fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War, popular novels were published by, among others, Brian O'Nolan, who published as Flann O'Brien, Elizabeth Bowen, and Kate O'Brien. During the final decades of the 20th century, Edna O'Brien, John McGahern, Maeve Binchy, Joseph O'Connor, Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín, and John Banville came to the fore as novelists.

W. B. Yeats (1865–1939)

Patricia Lynch was a prolific children's author in the 20th century, while Eoin Colfer's works were NYT Best Sellers in this genre in the early 21st century.[218] In the genre of the short story, which is a form favoured by many Irish writers, the most prominent figures include Seán Ó Faoláin, Frank O'Connor and William Trevor. Well known Irish poets include Patrick Kavanagh, Thomas McCarthy, Dermot Bolger, and Nobel Prize in Literature laureates William Butler Yeats and Seamus Heaney (born in Northern Ireland but resided in Dublin). Prominent writers in the Irish language are Pádraic Ó Conaire, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Séamus Ó Grianna, and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.

The history of Irish theatre begins with the expansion of the English administration in Dublin during the early 17th century, and since then, Ireland has significantly contributed to English drama. In its early history, theatrical productions in Ireland tended to serve political purposes, but as more theatres opened and the popular audience grew, a more diverse range of entertainments were staged. Many Dublin-based theatres developed links with their London equivalents, and British productions frequently found their way to the Irish stage. However, most Irish playwrights went abroad to establish themselves. In the 18th century, Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan were two of the most successful playwrights on the London stage at that time. At the beginning of the 20th century, theatre companies dedicated to the staging of Irish plays and the development of writers, directors and performers began to emerge, which allowed many Irish playwrights to learn their trade and establish their reputations in Ireland rather than in Britain or the United States. Following in the tradition of acclaimed practitioners, principally Oscar Wilde, Literature Nobel Prize laureates George Bernard Shaw (1925) and Samuel Beckett (1969), playwrights such as Seán O'Casey, Brian Friel, Sebastian Barry, Brendan Behan, Conor McPherson and Billy Roche have gained popular success.[219] Other Irish playwrights of the 20th century include Denis Johnston, Thomas Kilroy, Tom Murphy, Hugh Leonard, Frank McGuinness, and John B. Keane.

Music and dance

Enya
Enya; Ireland's best–selling solo artist[220]
U2
U2; best–selling Irish group in history[221]

Irish traditional music has remained vibrant, despite globalising cultural forces, and retains many traditional aspects. It has influenced various music genres, such as American country and roots music, and to some extent modern rock. It has occasionally been blended with styles such as rock and roll and punk rock. Ireland has also produced many internationally known artists in other genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues. Ireland's best selling musical act is the rock band U2, who have sold 170 million copies of their albums worldwide since their formation in 1976.[222]

There are a number of classical music ensembles around the country, such as the RTÉ Performing Groups.[223] Ireland also has two opera organisations: Irish National Opera in Dublin, and the annual Wexford Opera Festival, which promotes lesser-known operas, takes place during October and November.

Ireland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1965.[224] Its first win was in 1970, when Dana won with All Kinds of Everything.[225] It has subsequently won the competition six more times,[226][227] the highest number of wins by any competing country. The phenomenon Riverdance originated as an interval performance during the 1994 contest.[228]

Irish dance can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dance. Irish social dance can be divided into céilí and set dancing. Irish set dances are quadrilles, danced by 4 couples arranged in a square, while céilí dances are danced by varied formations of couples of 2 to 16 people. There are also many stylistic differences between these two forms. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the country. In some places dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed. Performance dance is traditionally referred to as stepdance. Irish stepdance, popularised by the show Riverdance, is notable for its rapid leg movements, with the body and arms being kept largely stationary. The solo stepdance is generally characterised by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet. The solo dances can either be in "soft shoe" or "hard shoe".

Architecture

The Dublin Custom House is a neoclassical building from the late 18th century.
Powerscourt Estate, near Enniskerry in County Wicklow, was built in the 18th century

Ireland has a wealth of structures,[229] surviving in various states of preservation, from the Neolithic period, such as Brú na Bóinne, Poulnabrone dolmen, Castlestrange stone, Turoe stone, and Drombeg stone circle.[230] As Ireland was never a part of the Roman Empire, ancient architecture in Greco-Roman style is extremely rare, in contrast to most of Western Europe. The country instead had an extended period of Iron Age architecture.[231] The Irish round tower originated during the Early Medieval period.

Christianity introduced simple monastic houses, such as Clonmacnoise, Skellig Michael and Scattery Island. A stylistic similarity has been remarked between these double monasteries and those of the Copts of Egypt.[232] Gaelic kings and aristocrats occupied ringforts or crannógs.[233] Church reforms during the 12th century via the Cistercians stimulated continental influence, with the Romanesque styled Mellifont, Boyle and Tintern abbeys.[234] Gaelic settlement had been limited to the Monastic proto-towns, such as Kells, where the current street pattern preserves the original circular settlement outline to some extent.[235] Significant urban settlements only developed following the period of Viking invasions.[233] The major Hiberno-Norse Longphorts were located on the coast, but with minor inland fluvial settlements, such as the eponymous Longford.

The ruins of Monasterboice in County Louth are of early Christian settlements.

Castles were built by the Anglo-Normans during the late 12th century, such as Dublin Castle and Kilkenny Castle,[236] and the concept of the planned walled trading town was introduced, which gained legal status and several rights by grant of a Charter under Feudalism. These charters specifically governed the design of these towns.[237] Two significant waves of planned town formation followed, the first being the 16th- and 17th-century plantation towns, which were used as a mechanism for the Tudor English kings to suppress local insurgency, followed by 18th-century landlord towns.[238] Surviving Norman founded planned towns include Drogheda and Youghal; plantation towns include Portlaoise and Portarlington; well-preserved 18th-century planned towns include Westport and Ballinasloe. These episodes of planned settlement account for the majority of present-day towns throughout the country.

Brick architecture of multi-storey buildings in Merrion Square, Dublin

Gothic cathedrals, such as St Patrick's, were also introduced by the Normans.[239] Franciscans were dominant in directing the abbeys by the Late Middle Ages, while elegant tower houses, such as Bunratty Castle, were built by the Gaelic and Norman aristocracy.[240] Many religious buildings were ruined with the dissolution of the monasteries.[241] Following the Restoration, palladianism and rococo, particularly country houses, swept through Ireland under the initiative of Edward Lovett Pearce, with the Houses of Parliament being the most significant.[242]

With the erection of buildings such as The Custom House, Four Courts, General Post Office and King's Inns, the neoclassical and Georgian styles flourished, especially in Dublin.[242] Georgian townhouses produced streets of singular distinction, particularly in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. Following Catholic Emancipation, cathedrals and churches influenced by the French Gothic Revival emerged, such as St Colman's and St Finbarre's.[242] Ireland has long been associated with thatched roof cottages, though these are nowadays considered quaint.[243]

Capital Dock in Dublin is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland.

Beginning with the American designed art deco church at Turner's Cross, Cork in 1927, Irish architecture followed the international trend towards modern and sleek building styles since the 20th century.[244] Other developments include the regeneration of Ballymun and an urban extension of Dublin at Adamstown.[245] Since the establishment of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in 1997, the Dublin Docklands area underwent large-scale redevelopment, which included the construction of the Convention Centre Dublin and Grand Canal Theatre.[246] Completed in 2018, Capital Dock in Dublin is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland achieving 79 metres (259 feet) in height (the Obel Tower in Belfast, Northern Ireland being the tallest in Ireland). The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland regulates the practice of architecture in the state.[247]

Media

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) is Ireland's public service broadcaster, funded by a television licence fee and advertising.[248] RTÉ operates two national television channels, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. The other independent national television channels are Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, Virgin Media Three and TG4, the latter of which is a public service broadcaster for speakers of the Irish language. All these channels are available on Saorview, the national free-to-air digital terrestrial television service.[249] Additional channels included in the service are RTÉ News Now, RTÉjr, and RTÉ One +1. Subscription-based television providers operating in Ireland include Virgin Media and Sky.

The BBC's Northern Irish division is widely available in Ireland. BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland are available in pay television providers including Virgin and Sky as well as via signal overspill by Freeview in border counties.

Supported by the Irish Film Board, the Irish film industry grew significantly since the 1990s, with the promotion of indigenous films as well as the attraction of international productions like Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan.[250]

A large number of regional and local radio stations are available countrywide. A survey showed that a consistent 85% of adults listen to a mixture of national, regional and local stations on a daily basis.[251] RTÉ Radio operates four national stations, Radio 1, 2fm, Lyric fm, and RnaG. It also operates four national DAB radio stations. There are two independent national stations: Today FM and Newstalk.

Ireland has a traditionally competitive print media, which is divided into daily national newspapers and weekly regional newspapers, as well as national Sunday editions. The strength of the British press is a unique feature of the Irish print media scene, with the availability of a wide selection of British published newspapers and magazines.[250]

Eurostat reported that 82% of Irish households had Internet access in 2013 compared to the EU average of 79% but only 67% had broadband access.[252]

Cuisine

A pint of Guinness

Irish cuisine was traditionally based on meat and dairy products, supplemented with vegetables and seafood. Examples of popular Irish cuisine include boxty, colcannon, coddle, stew, and bacon and cabbage. Ireland is known for the full Irish breakfast, which involves a fried or grilled meal generally consisting of rashers, egg, sausage, white and black pudding, and fried tomato. Apart from the influence by European and international dishes, there has been an emergence of a new Irish cuisine based on traditional ingredients handled in new ways.[253] This cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, fish, oysters, mussels and other shellfish, and the wide range of hand-made cheeses that are now being produced across the country. Shellfish have increased in popularity, especially due to the high quality shellfish available from the country's coastline. The most popular fish include salmon and cod. Traditional breads include soda bread and wheaten bread. Barmbrack is a yeasted bread with added sultanas and raisins, traditionally eaten on Halloween.[254]

Popular everyday beverages among the Irish include tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks associated with Ireland include Poitín and the world-famous Guinness, which is a dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate in Dublin. Irish whiskey is also popular throughout the country and comes in various forms, including single malt, single grain, and blended whiskey.[253]

Sports

Croke Park stadium is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Gaelic football and hurling are the traditional sports of Ireland as well as popular spectator sports.[255] They are administered by the Gaelic Athletics Association on an all-Ireland basis. Other Gaelic games organised by the association include Gaelic handball and rounders.[256] Association football (soccer) is the third most popular spectator sport and has the highest level of participation.[257] Although the League of Ireland is the national league, the English Premier League is the most popular among the public.[258] The Republic of Ireland national football team plays at international level and is administered by the Football Association of Ireland.[259]

The Irish Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union, which is played at local and international levels on an all-Ireland basis, and has produced players such as Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara, who were on the team that won the Grand Slam in 2009.[260] The success of the Irish Cricket Team in the 2007 Cricket World Cup has led to an increase in the popularity of cricket, which is also administered on an all-Ireland basis by Cricket Ireland.[261] Ireland are one of the twelve Test playing members of the International Cricket Council, having been granted Test status in 2017. Professional domestic matches are played between the major cricket unions of Leinster, Munster, Northern, and North West. Netball is represented by the Ireland national netball team.

Golf is another popular sport in Ireland, with over 300 courses countrywide.[262] The country has produced several internationally successful golfers, such as Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Paul McGinley. Horse racing has a large presence, with influential breeding and racing operations in the country. Racing takes place at courses at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, Leopardstown Racecourse just outside Dublin, and Galway. Ireland has produced champion horses such as Galileo, Montjeu, and Sea the Stars. Boxing is Ireland's most successful sport at an Olympic level. Administered by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association on an all-Ireland basis, it has gained in popularity as a result of the international success of boxers such as Bernard Dunne, Andy Lee and Katie Taylor.

Some of Ireland's highest performers in athletics have competed at the Olympic Games, such as Eamonn Coghlan and Sonia O'Sullivan. The annual Dublin Marathon and Dublin Women's Mini Marathon are two of the most popular athletics events in the country.[263] Rugby league is represented by the Ireland national rugby league team and administered by Rugby League Ireland (who are full member of the Rugby League European Federation) on an all-Ireland basis. The team compete in the European Cup (rugby league) and the Rugby League World Cup. Ireland reached the quarter-finals of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup as well as reaching the semi-finals in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[264] The Irish Elite League is a domestic competition for rugby league teams in Ireland.[265]

While Australian rules football in Ireland has a limited following, a series of International rules football games (constituting a hybrid of the Australian and Gaelic football codes) takes place annually between teams representing Ireland and Australia.[266] Baseball and basketball are also emerging sports in Ireland, both of which have an international team representing the island of Ireland. Other sports which retain a following in Ireland include cycling, greyhound racing, horse riding, and motorsport.

Society

Ireland ranks fifth in the world in terms of gender equality.[267] In 2011, Ireland was ranked the most charitable country in Europe, and second most charitable in the world.[268] Contraception was controlled in Ireland until 1979, however, the receding influence of the Catholic Church has led to an increasingly secularised society.[269] A constitutional ban on divorce was lifted following a referendum in 1995. Divorce rates in Ireland are very low compared to European Union averages (0.7 divorced people per 1,000 population in 2011) while the marriage rate in Ireland is slightly above the European Union average (4.6 marriages per 1,000 population per year in 2012). Abortion had been banned throughout the period of the Irish state, first through provisions of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and later by the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013. The right to life of the unborn was protected in the constitution by the Eighth Amendment in 1983; this provision was removed following a referendum, and replaced it with a provision allowing legislation to regulate the termination of pregnancy. The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 passed later that year provided for abortion generally during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in specified circumstances after that date.[270]

Capital punishment is constitutionally banned in Ireland, while discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, religion, race or membership of the travelling community is illegal. The legislation which outlawed homosexual acts was repealed in 1993.[271][272] The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 permitted civil partnerships between same-sex couples.[273][274][275] The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 allowed for adoption rights for couples other than married couples, including civil partners and cohabitants, and provided for donor-assisted human reproduction; however, significant sections of the Act have yet to be commenced.[276] Following a referendum held on 23 May 2015, Ireland became the eighteenth country to provide in law for same-sex marriage, and the first to do so by popular vote.[277]

Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for plastic shopping bags in 2002 and a public smoking ban in 2004. Recycling in Ireland is carried out extensively, and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the European Union. It was the first country in Europe to ban incandescent lightbulbs in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in 2009.[278][279] In 2015, Ireland became the second country in the world to introduce plain cigarette packaging.[280] Despite the above measures to discourage tobacco use, smoking rates in Ireland remain at approximately 15.4% as of 2020.[281]

State symbols

The seal of the president of Ireland, incorporating a harp

The state shares many symbols with the island of Ireland. These include the colours green and blue, animals such as the Irish wolfhound and stags, structures such as round towers and celtic crosses, and designs such as Celtic knots and spirals. The shamrock, a type of clover, has been a national symbol of Ireland since the 17th century when it became customary to wear it as a symbol on St. Patrick's Day. These symbols are used by state institutions as well as private bodies in the Republic of Ireland.

The flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange. The flag originates with the Young Ireland movement of the mid-19th century but was not popularised until its use during the Easter Rising of 1916.[282] The colours represent the Gaelic tradition (green) and the followers of William of Orange in Ireland (orange), with white representing the aspiration for peace between them.[283] It was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and continues to be used as the sole flag and ensign of the state. A naval jack, a green flag with a yellow harp, is set out in Defence Forces Regulations and flown from the bows of warships in addition to the national flag in limited circumstances (e.g. when a ship is not underway). It is based on the unofficial green ensign of Ireland used in the 18th and 19th centuries and the traditional green flag of Ireland dating from the 16th century.[284]

Like the national flag, the national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann (English: A Soldier's Song), has its roots in the Easter Rising, when the song was sung by the rebels. Although originally published in English in 1912,[285] the song was translated into Irish in 1923 and the Irish-language version is more commonly sung today.[285] The song was officially adopted as the anthem of the Irish Free State in 1926 and continues as the national anthem of the state.[286] The first four bars of the chorus followed by the last five comprise the presidential salute.

The arms of Ireland originate as the arms of the monarchs of Ireland and was recorded as the arms of the King of Ireland in the 12th century. From the union of the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1603, they have appeared quartered on the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Today, they are the personal arms of the president of Ireland whilst he or she is in office and are flown as the presidential standard. The harp symbol is used extensively by the state to mark official documents, Irish coinage and on the seal of the president of Ireland.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Article 4 of the Constitution of Ireland declares that the name of the state is Ireland; Section 2 of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 declares that Republic of Ireland is "the description of the State".[287]
  2. ^ Article 8 of the Constitution states that Irish is "the national language" and "the first official language", and that English is "a second official language".
  3. ^ Prior to 2002, Ireland used the Irish pound as its circulated currency. The euro was introduced as an accounting currency in 1999.
  4. ^ The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states.

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Bibliography

  • Gilland, Karin (2001). Ireland: Neutrality and the International Use of Force. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-21804-7.
  • Greenwood, Margaret (2003). Rough guide to Ireland. Rough Guides. ISBN 1-84353-059-7.
  • Mangan, James Clarence (2007). James Clarence Mangan – His Selected Poems. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4086-2700-6.
  • Meinardus, Otto Friedrich August (2002). Two thousand years of Coptic Christianity. American Univ in Cairo Press. ISBN 977-424-757-4.
  • Moody, Theodore William (2005). A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-821737-4.

Further reading

  • Constitution of Ireland (the 1937 constitution)
  • The Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922
  • J. Anthony Foley and Stephen Lalor (ed), Gill & Macmillan Annotated Constitution of Ireland (Gill & Macmillan, 1995) (ISBN 0-7171-2276-X)
  • Geary, Michael J. (2009). An Inconvenient Wait: Ireland's Quest for Membership of the EEC, 1957–73. Institute of Public Administration. ISBN 978-1-904541-83-7.
  • FSL Lyons (1 January 1985). Ireland Since the Famine. ISBN 978-0006860051.
  • Ward, Alan J. (1994). The Irish Constitutional Tradition: Responsible Government and Modern Ireland 1782–1992. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 0-7165-2528-3.

Government

General information