Ireland

Capital of Ireland: Dublin
Population of Ireland: 4,670,976
Total area of Ireland: 70,723 km2

Ireland is an island nation located slightly north and to the west of Great Britain. Its flag consists of vertical stripes of green, followed by white, followed by orange. It has no emblem or coat of arms and actually consists of two parts separated by religion and government. Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland are the two parts.

Ireland population

The population of Ireland is highest in the Northeast and lowest in the Northwest. The population is mainly Gaelic but there are many immigrants to the country from all over the world. The largest religious population in Ireland is Roman Catholic, which amounts to 73 percent of the whole island and 87 percent of the Republic of Ireland. Fifty three percent of Northern Ireland is Protestant. There are small Muslim and Jewish communities throughout the island. After the famine of 1840, a million people in Ireland died and a million more emigrated from the country to other parts of the world. Since Ireland has been doing better, immigrants from Poland and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe have come to the country to live. About 4.2 million people live in the country now. The language of the country is English, which replaced Irish as the primary language in the 19th century.  

History of Ireland

Ireland was covered by glacial ice until 9000 BCE and Ireland was not an island at that time. People came to live in Ireland shortly after the ice left, in 8000 BCE. It was an agricultural and pastoral area during that time. Ireland traded with other European countries after 2500 BCE. The Celts lived in Ireland in the Iron Age around the 8th to 1st centuries BCE. Ptolemy first called the island Iwernia. This later became “Hibernia”. Ireland consisted of a number of rivaling tribes until High Kings ruled the land. This occurred until about 400 CE. Christianity was brought to Ireland in 431 CE, collapsing the Druid religion. The Vikings invaded Ireland around the 9th century. In 1169, the Normans and the English invaded the country and a feudal system was created. After the Famine of 1940, 250,000 people died and Ireland connected with England in 1799. The Irish increased in nationalism and divided in the early 20th century. There has been a great deal of political strife between the divisions of the North and South Ireland since then.

Ireland Tourism

With its lush green landscapes that give it an almost ethereal ambience, Ireland is a land of legend  and lore. Its myths tell of leprechauns and their gold and how the color green became so associated with this country. Even the Emerald Isle, which is a breathtaking natural gem of sky, mountain, lake and sea, is related with the hue. This stunning scene often leaves visitors and locals slack-jawed no matter how many times they have seen it. One place you should not miss is Giant’s Causeway, Ireland’s most famous world heritage site. This natural wonder comprises of around 40,000 basalt columns, which was formed after a volcanic eruption.  Visit Dublin Castle and get a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle of royals through its opulent interior.  Drop by Country Cork and sample some Irish culinary delights that will leave you wanting more. With its theatres, galleries, and charming architecture, the medieval city of Killkenny is a wonderful haven for connoisseurs of art.

Irish people are generally friendly and easygoing people whose conversations are often peppered with a healthy dose of humor. They have an expression, a beal bocht, which translates to “the poor mouth” and reminds them to be modest. Since Ireland is mainly an agricultural city, it reflects in the mostly casual clothes of the people. Women, however, often dress up for social functions or classy, formal restaurants. If you want to observe as well as interact with the Irish people, the best place to do so is at the pub, where you can also witness some lively dances and see the affable character of the Irish in action.