Ireland
Ireland is an island off the northwestern coast of Europe. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,062,235[1]
The population is primarily of Celtic descent but in recent years, owing to economic success, Ireland has seen a huge influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa and China.
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 Eire.
History
Historically, Ireland's culture has been distinct from other regional cultures, as it was the one of the only Celtic territories never conquered by the Roman Empire. For several centuries after Roman rule, it was independent of outside governance, until it was conquered in the 17th century by Great Britain. The British retained control of the whole island until a war of independence broke out in 1919. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the region 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 Ireland.
Politics
In the Republic of Ireland the electoral system is Proportional Representation meaning that there are a large number of poltical parties.
Fianna Fail: (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they are a centre-right Conservative party. Traditionally the party of Big Business. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition.
Fine Gael: (Pronounced Fwi-Na Gale, Irish for the 'United Ireland Party'). Ireland's second largest party.
Labour Party: A liberal left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Progressive Democrats: The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but slightly more liberal on social issues.
Green Party: A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security.
Sinn Fein: (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves Alone') Irelands oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a left-wing socialist party, although they are socially conservative.
Socialist Party: A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland.
The southern 26 counties officially became a Republic in 1949.
It is generally referred to as the Republic of Ireland, although this is technically merely a description of the country.
