About Ireland

Dublin is the capital of Ireland and Citizens are called as Irish. Christianity is the religion over here. Ireland is having highest literacy rate of 99%. Unemployment rate is 14%. Silver, dolomite, limestone, gypsum, copper, barite, natural gas, lead, and zinc are the natural resources available here. Ireland is famed for its faunae. It exports live animals and animal products to other countries. It also exports pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computers, and machinery equipment.

It imports clothing, textiles, petroleum, chemicals, and data processing equipment.

Ireland’s country side is unspoiled by the concrete jungle of city atmosphere. Hence it is named for its serene and beautiful sceneries and country side.

Ireland enjoys cuisines and dishes from all over the world and the restaurants here pride themselves for their delicious food items and at the same time, they satisfy the dietary needs. Ireland is also famous for its seafood and devilish deserts.

Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean. The Irish Sea has separated Ireland from Great Britain. Geographically, it is half the size of Arkansas; Ireland looks a lot alike a basin except in the Dublin region. The hills and mountains are low with the highest peaks. Shannon is the principal river which begins in the north-central area, flows to the south and southwest. It ends into the Atlantic.

Settlements began in Ireland around 8000 BC, when hunting and fishing were the main occupations. The rich fertile land led to extensive farming. People built burial mounds and monuments such as Ireland’s famous prehistoric site, Newgrange. It is a stone tomb dating back to 3000 BC. Around AD 800, Ireland had monastic culture and regional dynasties. They were destroyed by Viking invasions. Ireland was ruled by many kings, and had a rich culture, a vibrant upper class, and metalwork artisans who created wonders with bronze, iron, and gold. The monks were learned and introduced the Roman alphabet and added to the prevalent culture. Ireland has a rich collection of stories, legends and mythology. It was invaded by Vikings who raided monasteries and villages and built settlements.

The twelfth century marked the beginning of Norman and English rule in Ireland. Plantations began and land was confiscated resulting in Protestant clashes. Religion divided the people and started discrimination.

St. Patrick arrived on the island and worked for many years to convert the Irish to Christianity. His efforts yielded good results and the country has a Christian influence even today. It was marked with strife between the Protestants and Catholics and much energy and blood was wasted in gaining the upper hand.

The spirit of Irish was never low and they have survived lootings, starvation, disease, famines and plagues and have continued to flourish in a big way.

Their brutal treatment of the rulers formed the public opinion in favor of independence. The Irish War of Independence was fought between 1919 and 1921.

In 1922 the country became the Republic of Ireland. Some counties in the north of the Ireland, called Northern Ireland, remained part of the UK and continue to remain so. This did not resolve the conflict and there were demands for Northern Ireland to unite with the Irish Republic. This unrest ended in 1998, with the signing of peace agreement.

Economically progress has taken place and Ireland joined the EEC and the European Union. There was increased foreign investment and resultant growth making it known as the Celtic Tiger. Today Ireland is poised for a bright future. It had the distinction to be selected as the best place in the world to live in 2005. Many people from all over the world have migrated there. The outlook is marked with optimism.