General Overview
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions.
A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973.
Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is being implemented with some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.
Demographics
The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the Anglo-Normans. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools.
• Country name: Ireland
• Capital Name: Dublin
• Population: 4,156,119 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
• Languages: English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
• Ethnic Groups: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)
Economy
Ireland continues to be the fastest growing economy in the European Union and the OECD and, despite a general world economic slowdown, is still generating growth figures well ahead of fellow European member states.
Dublin has been the engine of Ireland's economic growth, with the leading sectors of the economy - software, electronics, financial services, and tourism - clustered in the greater Dublin area. The Greater Dublin Area accounts for 48% of national Gross Value Added (GVA).
Dublin's strong performance is supported by a number of underlying factors in the Irish economy, including a strong social partnership model, and very positive demographics - Ireland is the youngest country in Europe. Irish labour costs are among the lowest in Europe, and also lower than the US average. More significantly, business tax rates have been fixed at a standard rate of 12.5% for all businesses from 2003.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.918 billion (2007 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 5.3% (2007 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $43,100 (2007 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2007 est.)
• Exports: $115.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
• Imports: $84.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Government
Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. The current president is Mary McAleese, who is serving her second term after having succeeded President Mary Robinson--the first instance worldwide where one woman has followed another as an elected head of state. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body. On the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) advice, the president also dissolves the Oireachtas (Parliament).
• Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
• Legal system: Based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
• Constitution: Adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937
• Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)
References
Dublin City Council - Official Website
Government of Ireland - Official Website
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
