Changes

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, 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.  

Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, O'Casey, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made a major contribution 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.  

*Population: 4,234,935 (2006 est.).

*Population: 4,470,700 (2010 est.).

*Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 505,739). Other cities--Cork (119,143), Galway (71,983), Limerick (52,560), Waterford, (45,775).

*Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 506,211). Other cities--Cork (119,418), Limerick (92,539), Galway (72,414), Waterford, (45,748).

*Population breakdown 0-14 years (21%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%)

*Population breakdown 0-14 years (20.4%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%)

*Population growth rate: 1.14 (2007 est.).

*Population growth rate: 2.61% (2008 est.).

*Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.  

*Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.  

*Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; Church of Ireland 3 %; Presbyterian 0.5%; Methodist 0.25%; Muslim 1 %; Jewish 0.1%; other 8.35%.

*Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; No religion 4.4%; Church of Ireland 3 %; Islam 0.8%; Presbyterian 0.6%; Orthodox 0.5%; Methodist 0.3%; other 2.1%

*Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic).  

*Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic).  

*Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrollment rates: first (primary) level 449,508, second (high school and vocational) level 335,162, third (university and college) level 133,691. Literacy--98%-99%.  

*Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrolment rates: first (primary) level 449,508, second (high school and vocational) level 335,162, third (university and college) level 133,691. Literacy--98%-99%.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--5.2/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 75.3 yrs., female 80.7 yrs.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--4.61/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 77.32 yrs., female 81.79 yrs.  

*Work force: Services--66%; industry--28%; agriculture--6%.  

*Work force: Services--66%; industry--28%; agriculture--6%.

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==