The Republic of Ireland

 

 

Introduction

Ireland, also known as the republic of Ireland, is a sovereign state in Europe occupying about five-sixths of the Ireland

 

Geography

Ireland extends over an area of approximately five-sixths (70,273 km²) of the island of Ireland . 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. Its capital city is Dublin.

The western landscape mostly consists of rugged cliffs, hills and mountains. The highest point is Carrauntoohil (1,038 m), located in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in the southwest. The River Shannon, in the central lowlands, is the longest river in Ireland (386 km). The west coast is more rugged than the east, with numerous islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays. Almost the entire island is covered by thick green grass, which gives Ireland the nickname “The Emerald Isle”.

Climate

Ireland shows a temperate oceanic climate, so temperatures are rarely lower than −5 °C in winter or higher than 26 °C in summer. ^[33] Rainfall is more abundant during winter months. Sunshine duration is highest in the southeast and northwest of the country.  The far north and west are two of the windiest regions in Europe, with great potential for wind energy generation.

History

Home-rule movement

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 this time there was a great famine, from 1845 to 1849, the island´s population of over 8 million fell by 30%. One million Irish died.

Revolution

In accordance with the Treaty, on 6 December 1922 the entire island of Ireland became a self-governing British dominion called the Irish Free State. Irish civil war was the consequence of the creation of the Irish Free State. Northern Ireland then became separated from the rest of the island and continued as a part of the UK.

Division

Ireland remained neutral during World War II. The link with the British  monarchy ended 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.

Politics

Ireland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Oireachtas is a bicameral national parliament composed of the President of Ireland and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Seanad Éireann (Senate) and Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives). 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 is the head of state, and is elected for a seven years and can be re-elected once. Michael D. Higgins became the ninth President of Ireland on 11 November 2011.

The Taoiseach serves as the head of government and is appointed by the President.  Most Taoisigh  serve as the leader of the political party that gains the most seats in national elections. Enda Kenny assumed as Taoiseach on 9 March 2011.

Currency

Ireland adopted the euro (€) currency in 2002 along with eleven other EU member states.

Population

The population of Ireland stands at 4,581,269.

Irish people are mainly of Gaelic ancestry, and some of Norse, Anglo-Norman, English, Scottish, French, and Welsh ancestry. In the census of 2006, 94.8% of the people was recorded as 'White'. 1.1% had a 'Black or Black Irish' background, 1.3% had an 'Asian or Asian Irish' background, and 1.7% of the population's background was 'not stated'.

Language

Irish (a Celtic language) is the "national language" according to the Constitution, but English is the dominant language. In the 2006 census, 39% of the population said they were 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, (the Gaeltacht). Apart from in Gaeltacht regions, road signs are usually bilingual. 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 newspapers (e.g. Foinse). In the Irish Defence Forces, commands are given in the Irish language.

Cuisine

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 the 16th century. Examples of popular Irish cuisine include boxty, colcannon, coddle, stew, and bacon and cabbage. Ireland is famous for the full Irish breakfast, (a fried or grilled breakfast generally with bacon, egg, sausage, pudding, and fried tomato).

Popular everyday drinks among the Irish include tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks associated with Ireland include Poitín and the world famous Guinness beer. Irish whiskey is also popular throughout the country.

Sports

Gaelic football and hurling are the traditional sports of Ireland and the most popular spectator sports.  Other Gaelic games include Gaelic handball and rounders. Soccer is the third most popular spectator sport and has the highest level of participation. We can mention rugby, cricket and golf as other important sports in the country.

Music and dance

Irish traditional music still retains many traditional aspects. It influenced various music genres, such as American country and roots music, and (to some extent) modern rock. It was occasionally blended with styles such as rock and roll and punk rock. Famous artists include Van Morrison, Altan, Clannad, The Chieftains, The Dubliners, The Saw Doctors, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Anúna and Celtic Woman, and cross-over artists such as Enya and Sinéad O'Connor.

Ireland has also produced many internationally known artists in other genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues, including The Corrs, The Cranberries, Thin Lizzy, U2, Chris de Burgh, Boyzone, Laura Izibor, Damien Rice, B*Witched, guitarist Rory Gallagher, and Glen Hansard of The Frames. Contemporary artists include Bell X1, Fight Like Apes, Jape, Lisa Hannigan, Mick Flannery, Westlife, My Bloody Valentine, Republic of Loose, The Blizzards, The Coronas, The Script, Cathy Davey, Villagers, Celtic Thunder and Imelda May.

Irish dance can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dance. Irish social dance can be divided into céilíand 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. Performance dance is traditionally called stepdance. Irish stepdance, popularised by the show Riverdance, is notable for its rapid leg movements, while the body and arms do not move.