Changes

|queen         =

|queen         =

|monarch-raw =

|monarch-raw =

|president = Michael D. Higgins

|president =Catherine Connolly

|president-raw =

|president-raw =

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         = Leo Varadkar

|pm         = Micheál Martin

|pm-raw         =

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|area         =27,133 sq mi

|area         =27,133 sq mi

*Chappell, Bill (September 20, 2018). [https://www.npr.org/2018/09/20/649959209/ireland-plans-to-offer-abortions-for-free-as-ban-is-officially-repealed Ireland Plans To Offer Abortions For Free, As Ban Is Officially Repealed]. ''NPR''. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

*Chappell, Bill (September 20, 2018). [https://www.npr.org/2018/09/20/649959209/ireland-plans-to-offer-abortions-for-free-as-ban-is-officially-repealed Ireland Plans To Offer Abortions For Free, As Ban Is Officially Repealed]. ''NPR''. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

*Folley, Aris (September 21, 2018). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/407729-ireland-to-offer-free-abortions Ireland to offer free abortions after ban's repeal]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved September 21, 2018.

*Folley, Aris (September 21, 2018). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/407729-ireland-to-offer-free-abortions Ireland to offer free abortions after ban's repeal]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved September 21, 2018.

*Murphy, James (September 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/30145-irish-lawmakers-look-to-make-abortions-free Irish Lawmakers Look to Make Abortions Free]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 23, 2018.</ref> In 2019, Irish voters removed restrictions on divorce.<ref>Wheaton, Sarah (May 26, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-marriage-referendum-irish-voters-back-loosening-divorce-laws/ Irish voters back loosening divorce laws]. ''Politico''. Retrieved May 26, 2019.</ref> In several other referendums, the country abandoned its formerly strict adherence to traditional Christian morality.

*Murphy, James (September 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/30145-irish-lawmakers-look-to-make-abortions-free Irish Lawmakers Look to Make Abortions Free]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 23, 2018.</ref> In 2019, Irish voters removed restrictions on divorce.<ref>Wheaton, Sarah (May 26, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-marriage-referendum-irish-voters-back-loosening-divorce-laws/ Irish voters back loosening divorce laws]. ''Politico''. Retrieved May 26, 2019.</ref> In several other referendums, the country abandoned its formerly strict adherence to traditional [[Christian]] morality. In furtherance of the [[homosexual agenda]], a complete ban on [[conversion therapy]] is proposed by the government of Ireland in 2022.<ref>https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/government-to-introduce-ban-on-conversion-therapy-aimed-at-transgender-people-1.4881194</ref>

 

==Geography==

==Geography==

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 Michael D. Higgins, who is serving his first term after succeeding President [[Mary McAleese]]. 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).  

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 Michael D. Higgins, who is serving his first term after succeeding President [[Mary McAleese]]. 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).  

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 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.  

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.  

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*President—Michael D. Higgins

*President—Catherine Connolly

*Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Enda Kenny

*Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Micháel Mairtin

*Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)--Eamon Gilmore

*Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)--Simon Harris

====Taoisigh (Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland====

====Taoisigh (Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland====

===Political Parties===

===Political Parties===

'''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 1950s and 1960s. 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 Fáil''': (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 Fáil is traditionally a Populist party, spearheading the disease and slum eradication programme's of the 1950s and 1960s. Nowadays however, it is considered to be on the pragmatic centre as well as supportive of the construction sector and its representatives. Led by Micháel Mairtin.<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 1980s, 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 1980s, 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>

'''Labour Party''': Currently the second largest party. The Labour Party has traditionally been the left wing force of Irish politics, though in the recent election under the leadership of a former member of the communist leaning Sinn Féin Workers Party, [[Pat Rabbitte]], the party moved over to the centre in order to join in a possible coalition government with Fine Gael. Although they lost the election, the coalition helped to modernise the party more in line with European Social Democratic Groups. The party is currently led by [[Eamon Gilmore]], a center left politician.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>

'''Labour Party''': Currently the second largest party. The Labour Party has traditionally been the left wing force of Irish politics, though in the recent election under the leadership of a former member of the communist leaning Sinn Féin Workers Party, [[Pat Rabbitte]], the party moved over to the centre in order to join in a possible coalition government with Fine Gael. Although they lost the election, the coalition helped to modernise the party more in line with European Social Democratic Groups. The party is currently led by [[Ivana Bacik]], a center left politician.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party and member of the current leading coalition who are in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by John Gormley, the current minister for the Environment.

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party and member of the current leading coalition who are in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by John Gormley, the current minister for the Environment.

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Remnant of Ireland's oldest political party, it is closely connected with the Provisional [[IRA]], a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic that have since disbanded. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as same-sex "marriage". They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by former IRA commander Gerry Adams.<ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/]</ref>

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Remnant of Ireland's oldest political party, it is closely connected with the Provisional [[IRA]], a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic that have since disbanded. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as same-sex "marriage". They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Mary Lou McDonald TD.<ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/]</ref>

 

 

 

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

Two hundred years of Viking invasion and settlement was later followed by a Norman conquest in the 12th century. The Norman conquest resulted in the assimilation of the Norman settlers into Irish society. The early 17th century saw the arrival of Scottish and English Protestants, sent as colonists to the north of Ireland and the Pale around Dublin.  

Two hundred years of Viking invasion and settlement was later followed by a Norman conquest in the 12th century. The Norman conquest resulted in the assimilation of the Norman settlers into Irish society. The early 17th century saw the arrival of Scottish and English Protestants, sent as colonists to the north of Ireland and the Pale around Dublin.  

In 1800 the Irish Parliament passed the Act of Union with Great Britain, and Ireland was an official part of the United Kingdom until 1921. Religious freedom, outlawed in the 18th century, was restored in 1829, but this victory for the Irish Catholic majority was overshadowed by a severe economic depression and the great famine from 1846-48 when the potato crop failed. Millions died, and the millions that emigrated spawned the first mass wave of Irish emigration to the United States. A decade later, in 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB—also known as the Fenians) was founded as a secret society dedicated to armed rebellion against the British. An aboveground political counterpart, the Home Rule Movement, was created in 1874, advocating constitutional change for independence.  

In 1800 the Irish Parliament passed the Act of Union with Great Britain, and Ireland was an official part of the United Kingdom until 1921. Religious freedom, outlawed in the 18th century, was restored in 1829, but this victory for the Irish Catholic majority was overshadowed by a severe economic depression and the great famine from 1846 to 1848 when the potato crop failed. Millions died, and the millions that emigrated spawned the first mass wave of Irish emigration to the United States. A decade later, in 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB—also known as the Fenians) was founded as a secret society dedicated to armed rebellion against the British. An aboveground political counterpart, the Home Rule Movement, was created in 1874, advocating constitutional change for independence.  

Galvanized by the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell, the party was able to force British governments after 1885 to introduce several home rule bills. The turn of the century witnessed a surge of interest in Irish nationalism, including the founding of Sinn Féin ("Ourselves Alone") as an open political movement.  

Galvanized by the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell, the party was able to force British governments after 1885 to introduce several home rule bills. The turn of the century witnessed a surge of interest in Irish nationalism, including the founding of Sinn Féin ("Ourselves Alone") as an open political movement.  

In 1932, Eamon de Valera, the political leader of the forces initially opposed to the treaty, became Prime Minister, and a new Irish constitution was enacted in 1937. The last British military bases were soon withdrawn, and the ports were returned to Irish control. Ireland was neutral in World War II. The government formally declared Ireland a republic in 1948; however, it does not normally use the term "Republic of Ireland," which tacitly acknowledges the partition, but refers to the country simply as "Ireland."

In 1932, Eamon de Valera, the political leader of the forces initially opposed to the treaty, became Prime Minister, and a new Irish constitution was enacted in 1937. The last British military bases were soon withdrawn, and the ports were returned to Irish control. Ireland was neutral in World War II. The government formally declared Ireland a republic in 1948; however, it does not normally use the term "Republic of Ireland," which tacitly acknowledges the partition, but refers to the country simply as "Ireland."

== See als0 ==

== See also ==

*[[Ireland, irreligion and obesity]]

*[[Ireland, irreligion and obesity]]

*  Bartlett, Thomas and Keith Jeffrey, eds. ''A Military History of Ireland'' (1996)  

*  Bartlett, Thomas and Keith Jeffrey, eds. ''A Military History of Ireland'' (1996)  

*  Boyce, D. George and Alan O’day. ''The Making of Modern Irish History: Revisionism and the Revisionist Controversy'' 1996 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103075467 online edition]

*  Boyce, D. George and Alan O’day. ''The Making of Modern Irish History: Revisionism and the Revisionist Controversy'' 1996 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103075467 online edition]

*  Cosgrove, Art. "The Writing of Irish Medieval History", I.H.S., xxvii (1990), 97-111

*  Cosgrove, Art. "The Writing of Irish Medieval History", I.H.S., xxvii (1990), 97–111

*  Cullen, L. M. ''The Emergence of Modern Ireland, 1600-1900'' (Dublin, 1981)  

*  Cullen, L. M. ''The Emergence of Modern Ireland, 1600-1900'' (Dublin, 1981)  

* Cunliffe, Barry et al., ed.  ''The Penguin Atlas of British and Irish History.'' 320 pp.   

* Cunliffe, Barry et al., ed.  ''The Penguin Atlas of British and Irish History.'' 320 pp.