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'''Ireland''' is a parliamentary democracy in northwestern Europe consisting of 26 counties on the island of [[Ireland (island)|Ireland]]. The Irish state became independent in 1921 as a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The 1937 constitution gives the name of the state as simply "Ireland."<ref>"[http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_Constitution/ Constitution of Ireland - Bunreacht na hÉireann]"</ref> It is sometimes described as the "Republic of Ireland" to distinguish it from the island as a whole,<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/plweb-cgi/fastweb?state_id=1197556861&view=ag-view&numhitsfound=2&query_rule=%28%28$query3%29%29%3Alegtitle&query3=Republic%20of%20Ireland%20Act&docid=19310&docdb=Acts&dbname=Acts&dbname=SIs&sorting=none&operator=and&TemplateName=predoc.tmpl&setCookie=1]</ref> which also includes [[Northern Ireland]].

'''Ireland''' is a country in northwestern Europe comprising five sixths the island of [[Ireland (island)|Ireland]]. Ireland became independent in 1922 as a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The 1937 constitution gives the name of the state as simply "Ireland."<ref>"[http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_Constitution/ Constitution of Ireland - Bunreacht na hÉireann]"</ref> It is sometimes described as the "Republic of Ireland".

Ireland supports the [[gay agenda]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/23/ireland-gay-marriage/</ref> On the other hand, Ireland is very [[pro-life]], [[abortion]] is restricted in Ireland: to cases of when the mother's life is endangered and when she is likely to commit [[suicide]].  

Ireland supports the [[gay agenda]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/23/ireland-gay-marriage/</ref> On the other hand, Ireland is very [[pro-life]], [[abortion]] is restricted in Ireland: to cases of when the mother's life is endangered and when she is likely to commit [[suicide]].  

==Geography==

==Geography==

The island of Ireland is located in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the west of Great Britain. Of the thirty two counties of Ireland, twenty six are in the republic, including all counties in the provinces of Connacht, Munster and Leinster. Of the nine counties of [[Ulster]], three ([[Cavan]], [[Monaghan]] and [[Donegal]]) are in the republic and the remaining counties remain in the [[United Kingdom]]. The longest river in Ireland, The Shannon, divides the Republic into a largely urban eastern section, dominated by Dublin, and a more rural, less economically vibrant western area.

The island of Ireland is located in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the west of Great Britain. Of the thirty two counties of Ireland, twenty six are in Ireland, including all counties in the provinces of Connacht, Munster and Leinster. Of the nine counties of [[Ulster]], three ([[Cavan]], [[Monaghan]] and [[Donegal]]) are in Ireland and the remaining counties remain in the [[United Kingdom]]. The longest river in Ireland, The Shannon, divides the country into a largely urban eastern section, dominated by Dublin, and a more rural, less economically vibrant western area.

==People==

==People==

The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the [[Normans]]. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools.  

The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin. Traditionally the country's only significant sized minority were those people descended from the [[Normans]]. Today, the country has many minorities including substantial numbers of people from the [[United Kingdom]], [[Poland]], [[China]] and [[Nigeria]]. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools.  

Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, O'Casey, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made major contributions to English literature over the past 300 years.  

Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, O'Casey, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made major contributions to English literature over the past 300 years.  

The [[Taoiseach]] (pronounced "TEE-shuck")(prime minister)  is elected by the Dáil (lower house of Parliament) as the leader of the incoming government. He is usually the leader of the principal political party, of which he had been elected by an internal vote within that party. He usually has to make a deal with other political parties and/or independently elected TDs (members of parliament). In order to be able to form a government he must essentially have the support of a majority of the 166 elected members of Dáil Éireann. Dáil Éireann is far and away the most important political parliament, and Seanad Éireann was historically created as a means to provide the former colonial Anglo-Irish rulers with a voice in national politics. Only one member of Seanad Éireann has served in an Irish government by virtue of that membership, James Dooge. Elections to the Dáil are held approximately every 5 years (unless called earlier due to a political crisis). Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil.  

The [[Taoiseach]] (pronounced "TEE-shuck")(prime minister)  is elected by the Dáil (lower house of Parliament) as the leader of the incoming government. He is usually the leader of the principal political party, of which he had been elected by an internal vote within that party. He usually has to make a deal with other political parties and/or independently elected TDs (members of parliament). In order to be able to form a government he must essentially have the support of a majority of the 166 elected members of Dáil Éireann. Dáil Éireann is far and away the most important political parliament, and Seanad Éireann was historically created as a means to provide the former colonial Anglo-Irish rulers with a voice in national politics. Only one member of Seanad Éireann has served in an Irish government by virtue of that membership, James Dooge. Elections to the Dáil are held approximately every 5 years (unless called earlier due to a political crisis). Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil.  

The bicameral Oireachtas (Parliament) consists of Seanad Éireann (Senate) and Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives). The Seanad is composed of 60 members--11 nominated by the [[Taoiseach]], 6 elected by the national universities, and 43 elected from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. The Seanad has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dail, which wields greater power in Parliament. The Dail has 166 members popularly elected to a maximum term of 5 years under a complex system of proportional representation. A member of the Dail is known as a Teachta Dala, or TD.  

The bicameral Oireachtas (Parliament) consists of Seanad Éireann (Senate) and Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives). The Seanad is composed of 60 members--11 nominated by the [[Taoiseach]], 6 elected by the national universities, and 43 elected from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. The Seanad has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dail, which wields greater power in Parliament. The Dáil has 166 members popularly elected to a maximum term of 5 years under a complex system of proportional representation. A member of the Dáil is known as a Teachta Dala, or TD.  

Judges are appointed by the president on nomination by the government and can be removed from office only for misbehavior or incapacity and then only by resolution of both houses of Parliament. The ultimate court of appeal is the Supreme Court, consisting of the chief justice and five other justices. The Supreme Court also can decide upon the constitutionality of legislative acts if the president asks for an opinion.  

Judges are appointed by the president on nomination by the government and can be removed from office only for misbehavior or incapacity and then only by resolution of both houses of Parliament. The ultimate court of appeal is the Supreme Court, consisting of the chief justice and five other justices. The Supreme Court also can decide upon the constitutionality of legislative acts if the president asks for an opinion.  

Local government is by elected county councils and -- in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford -- by county borough corporations. County councils/corporations in turn select city mayors. In practice, however, authority remains with the central government.  

Local government is by elected county councils and -- in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford -- by county borough corporations. County councils/corporations in turn select city mayors. In practice, however, authority remains with the central government.  

Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.  

Irish politics was traditionally dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war: Fianna  Fáil (''Wariers of Destiny'') and Fine Gael (''Tribe of the Gaelic People''). Fianna Fáil was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty with the UK that gave Ireland independence but required Ireland to retain links to the UK. Fine Gael was formed by those who supported tht treaty.  Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fáil soon became Ireland's largest political party and retained that position until 2011 when it was decimated and Fine Gael emerged as the country's largest party. Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.  

Until 2004 Ireland had granted citizenship on the basis of birth on Irish soil. Concerns about immigration and social welfare abuse prompted the government to seek to bring citizenship laws in line with the more restrictive policies prevalent in the rest of Europe, and the 2004 referendum measure passed by a wide majority. Now, persons with non-Irish parents can acquire Irish citizenship at birth only if at least one parent has been resident in Ireland for three years preceding the birth.  

 

Local and European elections took place in June 2004 and saw gains for opposition parties. The election also featured a referendum on citizenship. Until that time, Ireland had granted citizenship on the basis of birth on Irish soil. Concerns about security and social welfare abuse prompted the government to seek to bring citizenship laws in line with the more restrictive policies prevalent in the rest of Europe, and the 2004 referendum measure passed by a wide majority. Now, persons with non-Irish parents can acquire Irish citizenship at birth only if at least one parent has been resident in Ireland for three years preceding the birth.  

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

===Political Parties===

===Political Parties===

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's 3rd largest political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Fianna Fail is traditionally a Populist party, spearheading the disease and slum eradication programme's of the 1950's and 1960's. Nowadays however, it is considered to be on the pragmatic centre as well as supportive of the construction sector and its representatives. <ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Wariers of Destiny'). Ireland's 3rd largest political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Fianna Fail is traditionally a Populist party, spearheading the disease and slum eradication programme's of the 1950's and 1960's. Nowadays however, it is considered to be on the pragmatic centre as well as supportive of the construction sector and its representatives. <ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, although generally liberal on social issues (though probably not by American standards) Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, although generally liberal on social issues (though probably not by American standards) Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>