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Republic of Ireland

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Ireland is a country in Northwestern Europe.

EU-Ireland
EU-Ireland

It sits on a large island and has 26 counties. The country shares one land border with Northern Ireland.

EU-Ireland (orthographic projection)
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection)

The rest of the land is surrounded by water. You can find the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Irish Sea is to the east. To the south lies the Celtic Sea and St George's Channel.

Ireland (47474631822)
Ireland (47474631822)

The capital city is Dublin.

Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938)
Dublin city Luftbild (21951181938)

It is the largest city on the eastern side of the island. Over 1.5 million people live in Dublin. The total population of the country is about 5.4 million people.

Ireland works as a parliamentary republic. This means it has a specific way of choosing leaders. The government has two houses called the Oireachtas. The lower house is called the Dáil. The upper house is called the Seanad.

Leinster House - 1911
Leinster House - 1911

There is also an elected president. The president is the head of state, but the role is mostly ceremonial. This means the president has important duties but does not run the daily government. The head of government is called the Taoiseach.

President Donald Trump with Taoiseach Micheál Martin
President Donald Trump with Taoiseach Micheál Martin

The Dáil elects the Taoiseach. Then, the president appoints them to lead. The Taoiseach also picks other government ministers to help lead the country.

History shows how the country changed over many years. For a long time, the island was part of the United Kingdom. In 1922, the Irish Free State was created. This happened after the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed.

IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2
IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2

In 1937, the country adopted a new constitution. This changed the name of the state to Ireland. It also made the country a republic with an elected president. The state was officially declared a republic in 1949.

The Long Fellow (10570624475)
The Long Fellow (10570624475)

This followed the Republic of Ireland Act of 1948.

There are many interesting facts about the nation. Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955. It joined the European Communities in 1973.

Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081)
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081)

The country is very wealthy. It is one of the top five wealthiest nations in the world. This is measured by its GDP and GNI per capita. Ireland is also known for being very safe. In 2024, the Global Peace Index named it the second most peaceful country in the world.

Ireland Administrative Counties
Ireland Administrative Counties

The economy is very strong and advanced. Dublin is a major hub for money and business in Europe.

Even the name of the country tells a story. The names Ireland and Éire come from the Old Irish word Ériu.

This word comes from an even older root meaning "fertile soil." This shows how important the land is to the people. The country is part of many groups like the European Union.

BlueEurozone
BlueEurozone

It is also a founding member of the Council of Europe. The Irish government follows a policy of military neutrality. This means they do not join military groups like NATO. Instead, they focus on being a peaceful and stable place for their citizens.

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🖼️ Images & Media (41)
File:EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
EU-Ireland (orthographic projection).svg
File:EU-Ireland.svg
EU-Ireland.svg
United States Navy Band - Amhrán na bhFiann.ogg
File:Charles Stewart Parnell at meeting.jpg
Charles Stewart Parnell at meeting.jpg
File:The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street after the Easter Rising (6937669789).jpg
The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville...
File:Leinster_House_-_1911.jpg
Leinster_House_-_1911.jpg
File:The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
The Long Fellow (10570624475).jpg
File:IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2.jpg
IFS Constitution Committee Darrell F's book2.jpg
File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg
File:Ireland (47474631822).jpg
Ireland (47474631822).jpg
File:Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch Cummeenapeasta.jpg
Panamora of Cnoc na Peiste and Loch...
File:View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains - geograph.org.uk - 5029923.jpg
View over Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains -...

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