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Ireland is an [[island]] off the northwestern coast of [[Europe]]. It is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which consists of twenty-six counties and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,062,235[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/ei.html (1)] Northern Ireland has a population of 1,688,600 (1998 est.)[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108101.html (2)]

Ireland is an [[island]] off the northwestern coast of [[Europe]]. It is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which consists of twenty-six counties and Northern Ireland, a part of the [[United Kingdom]]. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,234,925[http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/environment/copy_of_census/ (1)] Northern Ireland has a population of 1,688,600 (1998 est.)[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108101.html (2)]

The primary language is English, however, the official language of the Republic is ''Gaeilge'', or ''Irish''. In the Irish language the official name of Ireland (which appears on all coins, stamps, and government documents is ''Éire''.

The primary language is English, however, the official language of the Republic is ''Gaeilge'', or ''Irish''. In the Irish language the official name of Ireland (which appears on all coins, stamps, and government documents) is ''Éire''.

== History ==

== History ==

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish  tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amonst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerrilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, changing its name to Éire. [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html (4)]

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish  tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amonst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerrilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, changing its name to [[Éire]]. [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html (4)]

== Politics ==

== Politics ==

The Republic of Ireland uses [[Proportional Representation]] meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The 166 seat Irish Dáil(parliament) sits in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour.

The Republic of Ireland uses [[Proportional Representation]] meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The 166 seat Irish Dáil(parliament) sits in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour.

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; generally considered the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Traditionally the party of Big Business. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current Taoiseach(Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland. [http://www.fiannafail.ie/ (5)]

'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current [[Taoiseach]]([[Prime Minister]]) of the Republic of Ireland. [http://www.fiannafail.ie/ (5)]

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for the 'United Ireland Party'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. 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. [http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm (6)]

'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for the 'United Ireland Party'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. 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]]. [http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm (6)]

'''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Pat Rabitte is the leader of the Labour Party. [http://www.labour.ie/ (7)]

'''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]. [[Pat Rabitte]] is the leader of the Labour Party. [http://www.labour.ie/ (7)]

'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. Michael McDowell is the current leader and Tánaiste(deputy Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland. [http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php (8)]

'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. [[Michael McDowell]] is the current leader and [[Tánaiste]](deputy Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland. [http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php (8)]

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent. [http://www.greenparty.ie/ (9)]

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent. [http://www.greenparty.ie/ (9)]

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins.

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins.

The southern 26 counties officially became a Republic in 1949.

The 26 counties officially became a Republic in 1949.

====Northern Ireland====

====Northern Ireland====

The political parties of Northern Ireland are mostly divided on the national question (whether to remain within the UK or become part of a United Ireland), rather than on a left-right basis. They contest elections for the British Parliament(where Northern Ireland is allocated 18 seats) and the 108 seat Northern Ireland Assembly.  

The political parties of Northern Ireland are mostly divided on the national question (whether to remain within the UK or become part of a United Ireland), rather than on a left-right basis. They contest elections for the [[British Parliament]](where Northern Ireland is allocated 18 seats) and the 108 seat [[Northern Ireland Assembly]].  

Westminster elections use the Plurality voting system, whereas the Assembly Elections use the Proportional Representation(PR) system.

Westminster elections use the Plurality voting system, whereas the Assembly Elections use the Proportional Representation(PR) system.