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Republic of Ireland

geography Maturity 11-13

Ireland is a country.

Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
It is near the ocean. It has a big city called Dublin. Many people live there. It is a very peaceful place. Do you want to visit Ireland?

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Ireland is a country in Europe.

EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
It sits on a large island.

The land is near the Atlantic Ocean.

Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
It is also near the Irish Sea.

A big city called Dublin is there. Dublin is on the east side. It is the largest city.

Many people live in this land. It is a very peaceful place. It is known for being a wealthy country.

People can see beautiful sights there. You might see high cliffs or mountains.

Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch Cummeenapeasta.jpg
Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch Cummeenapeasta.jpg
Ireland is a wonderful place to learn about.

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Ireland is a country in Northwestern Europe.

EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
It sits on a large island. The country has 26 counties. It shares one land border with Northern Ireland.
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
The rest of the country is near the sea. You will find the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Celtic Sea is to the south. The Irish Sea is to the east.

Dublin is the capital city.

Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
It sits on the eastern side of the island. Over 1.5 million people live in Dublin. About 5.4 million people live in all of Ireland. The land has many pretty sights. You can see the high Cliffs of Moher.
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
You can also see the Wicklow Mountains.
View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains - geograph.org.uk - 5029923.jpg
View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains - geograph.org.uk - 5029923.jpg

Ireland is a very peaceful place. In 2024, it was the second most peaceful country in the world. It is also a wealthy country. Many people live there with a good quality of life. The country is a member of the European Union. It has a strong economy. Dublin is a major center for money and business.

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Ireland is a country in Northwestern Europe.

EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
It sits on a large island and has 26 counties. The country shares one land border with Northern Ireland.
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
The rest of the land is surrounded by water. You can find the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Irish Sea is to the east. To the south lies the Celtic Sea and St George's Channel.
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
The capital city is Dublin.
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
It is the largest city on the eastern side of the island. Over 1.5 million people live in Dublin. The total population of the country is about 5.4 million people.

Ireland works as a parliamentary republic. This means it has a specific way of choosing leaders. The government has two houses called the Oireachtas. The lower house is called the Dáil. The upper house is called the Seanad.

Leinster House - 1911.jpg
Leinster House - 1911.jpg
There is also an elected president. The president is the head of state, but the role is mostly ceremonial. This means the president has important duties but does not run the daily government. The head of government is called the Taoiseach.
President Donald Trump with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.jpg
President Donald Trump with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.jpg
The Dáil elects the Taoiseach. Then, the president appoints them to lead. The Taoiseach also picks other government ministers to help lead the country.

History shows how the country changed over many years. For a long time, the island was part of the United Kingdom. In 1922, the Irish Free State was created. This happened after the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed. In 1937, the country adopted a new constitution. This changed the name of the state to Ireland. It also made the country a republic with an elected president. The state was officially declared a republic in 1949.

The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
This followed the Republic of Ireland Act of 1948.

There are many interesting facts about the nation. Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955. It joined the European Communities in 1973.

Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
The country is very wealthy. It is one of the top five wealthiest nations in the world. This is measured by its GDP and GNI per capita. Ireland is also known for being very safe. In 2024, the Global Peace Index named it the second most peaceful country in the world.
Ireland Administrative Counties.svg
Ireland Administrative Counties.svg
The economy is very strong and advanced. Dublin is a major hub for money and business in Europe.

Even the name of the country tells a story. The names Ireland and Éire come from the Old Irish word Ériu. This word comes from an even older root meaning "fertile soil." This shows how important the land is to the people. The country is part of many groups like the European Union.

BlueEurozone.svg
BlueEurozone.svg
It is also a founding member of the Council of Europe. The Irish government follows a policy of military neutrality. This means they do not join military groups like NATO. Instead, they focus on being a peaceful and stable place for their citizens.

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The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state located in Northwestern Europe.

EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
It occupies 26 of the 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The nation is a unitary, parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 5.4 million people. The capital city is Dublin, located on the eastern coast of the island. Dublin is the largest city, housing over 1.5 million residents.
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938).jpg
The country shares its only land border with Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The rest of the territory is surrounded by several bodies of water. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west. The Irish Sea sits to the east. The Celtic Sea is to the south, and St George's Channel is to the southeast.

Ireland's government operates through a system called a parliamentary republic. The legislature is known as the Oireachtas. This legislature consists of two distinct houses. The lower house is called the Dáil Éireann. The upper house is known as the Seanad Éireann.

Leinster House - 1911.jpg
Leinster House - 1911.jpg
The state also has an elected president. The president serves as the ceremonial head of state. While the role is largely ceremonial, the president holds important powers and duties. The head of government is the Taoiseach, or prime minister. The Dáil elects the Taoiseach. After the election, the president appoints the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach then appoints other government ministers to lead various departments.

The history of the Irish state involves many significant legal changes. For a long time, the island was part of the United Kingdom. In 1922, the Irish Free State was created following the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This new state held Dominion status. In 1937, the nation adopted a new constitution. This document named the state "Ireland" and established it as a republic. This new structure included an elected, non-executive president. The state was officially declared a republic in 1949. This change followed the Republic of Ireland Act of 1948. The 1948 Act used the description "Republic of Ireland" to avoid conflict with the constitution.

Political movements shaped the path to independence during the early 20th century. In 1916, an armed insurrection known as the Easter Rising took place. This event began on 24 April 1916, with a declaration of independence.

The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg
The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg
The fighting was heavy, especially in Dublin. Many rebels were captured and imprisoned. Some leaders, such as Patrick Pearse and James Connolly, were executed. These events changed how the public viewed the British government. In 1919, Sinn Féin members were elected to Parliament. They set up their own parliament, the Dáil Éireann. They used this body to proclaim an Irish Republic. This movement eventually led to the negotiations that created the Irish Free State in 1922.

Ireland is recognized globally for its high quality of life and stability. According to the 2024 Human Development Index Report, it ranks sixth in the world for quality of life when adjusted for inequality. The country also performs well in healthcare, economic freedom, and press freedom. In 2024, the Global Peace Index ranked Ireland as the second most peaceful country in the world.

Ireland Administrative Counties.svg
Ireland Administrative Counties.svg
The nation is a member of the European Union and the European Communities. It joined the European Communities in 1973.
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
Ireland is also a founding member of the OECD and the Council of Europe. The state maintains a policy of military neutrality. This means Ireland does not join military alliances like NATO. However, it is a member of the Partnership for Peace.

The economy of Ireland is highly advanced and integrated into global markets. Dublin serves as one of Europe's major financial hubs. The country ranks among the top five wealthiest nations by GDP and GNI per capita. Between 1995 and 2007, the economy grew rapidly during a period called the Celtic Tiger. This growth followed the government's decision to enact liberal economic policies after joining the European Communities. However, the country later faced a recession during the Great Recession. This downturn was made worse by the bursting of an Irish property bubble. The Great Recession lasted until 2014. Since then, the country has entered a new period of strong economic growth.

Even the names used for the country carry deep historical meaning. The names Ireland and Éire both come from the Old Irish word Ériu. This word is derived from the Proto-Celtic term ɸīweriyū. This ancient term means "fertile soil." The Classical Latin name for the island, Ivernia, also shares this same root. A poetic synonym, Hibernia, also comes from this root. Hibernia is influenced by the Latin word hibernum, which means "winter." These names connect the modern state to its ancient linguistic and physical foundations. The history of the land is reflected in the very words used to describe it.

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🖼️ Images & Media (41)
File:EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
File:EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
United States Navy Band - Amhrán na bhFiann.ogg
File:Charles Stewart Parnell at meeting.jpg
Charles Stewart Parnell at meeting.jpg
File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg
The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville...
File:Leinster_House_-_1911.jpg
Leinster_House_-_1911.jpg
File:The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
File:IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2.jpg
IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2.jpg
File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
File:Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
File:Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch Cummeenapeasta.jpg
Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch...
File:View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains - geograph.org.uk - 5029923.jpg
View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains -...

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