LAND

The Republic of Ireland covers most of an island located to the west of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St. George’s Channel, with distances ranging from 11 to 120 miles (18 to 193 km). Positioned within the temperate zone between latitudes 51°30′ and 55°30′ N and longitudes 6°00′ and 10°30′ W, Ireland lies as far north as Labrador or British Columbia in Canada and as far west as Liberia in West Africa. It marks the westernmost point of the Atlantic edge of the Eurasian continent, with its furthest extremity being Tearaght Island—part of the Blasket Islands off the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Like Great Britain, Ireland was once joined to the European mainland and now rests on the European continental shelf, surrounded by relatively shallow seas, generally less than 650 feet (200 meters) deep. The island stretches up to 302 miles (486 km) from north to south and 171 miles (275 km) from east to west.

Ireland | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | Britannica

CLIMATE

Ireland experiences a western maritime climate, mainly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which is never farther than about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from any location on the island. The warm waters of the North Atlantic Current and prevailing southwesterly winds play a key role in keeping the climate mild and relatively stable. Temperatures across the island are fairly uniform throughout the year. In the coldest months, January and February, average temperatures typically range between 39 and 45 °F (4 to 7 °C). During the warmest months, July and August, temperatures usually stay between 57 and 61 °F (14 to 16 °C), though hotter days do occasionally occur.

May and June tend to be the sunniest months, with much of the country enjoying an average of 5.5 to 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. During this time, the country’s characteristic landscape—a mix of ancient fields and rural settlements—appears especially vibrant under the clear, bright skies.

Rainfall levels vary depending on the region. Eastern areas receive about 30 inches (760 mm) of rain annually, while parts of the west, which face the incoming Atlantic weather systems, can receive more than 100 inches (2,533 mm). This consistent precipitation, coupled with the temperate climate, supports the growth of rich grasslands that are vital for Ireland’s large livestock farming sector.

Snowfall is relatively rare across most of the country, occurring more often in mountainous regions. Extended or heavy snowstorms are unusual.

Ireland | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | Britannica

FLAG

Flag Design 

A vertical tricolor with three equal-sized stripes.

Colors (from left to right):

1. Green – Represents the Catholic and nationalist community, traditionally associated with Irish independence movements.

2. White – Symbolizes peace and the aspiration for unity between different traditions.

3. Orange – Represents the Protestant and unionist community, particularly those who supported William of Orange.

Origin and History

• First introduced: In 1848 by Irish nationalists during the Young Irelander Rebellion.

• Inspired by the French Tricolour and its revolutionary symbolism.

• Official use: Adopted as the national flag of the Irish Free State in 1922, and later confirmed as the national flag in the 1937 Constitution.

Ireland | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | Britannica

ETHNIC GROUPS, LANGUAGE, AND RELIGION

 Ethnic and racial minorities account for around 12% of Ireland’s population, a figure that has doubled since the early 2000s. Immigration from other parts of Europe, as well as from Africa and Asia, has increased notably since the late 20th century. This rise is largely due to the open labor market enabled by Ireland's membership in the European Union and the global nature of its economy, which have together attracted many newcomers. Among these groups, Polish nationals make up the largest minority in the country today. Another distinct group is the Travellers, a native ethnic minority with a long history in Ireland. Known for their nomadic heritage and unique cultural practices, the Travellers make up less than 1% of the population, with most residing in the Dublin area.

According to the Irish constitution, Irish is the first official language, while English is the second. All official government documents are made available in both languages. Modern Irish, closely related to Scottish Gaelic, was commonly spoken until the mid-19th century, when the Great Famine and subsequent mass emigration caused a significant decline in its use. Even though Irish was introduced into the school system after the country gained independence in 1922, the number of daily speakers continued to fall. Despite this, the language has remained a powerful symbol of Irish cultural identity.

Today, while fewer people use Irish in everyday conversation—and its use is mostly limited to small Irish-speaking regions known as Gaeltacht areas—the number of people who can read, speak, or understand the language has increased compared to much of the 20th century. English is spoken by everyone, and it dominates daily life. The requirement to learn Irish in schools has been criticized by some in the business community, who argue that students should be encouraged to learn a broader range of languages. Still, even as its practical use is debated, Irish remains a key part of national identity.

Before Christianity arrived in the 5th century, Celtic religion played a significant role in shaping Irish culture. Although the exact nature of its practices and beliefs is not entirely known, many names of Celtic deities have survived. Some aspects of Celtic spirituality—such as the veneration of Mary, which reflects earlier worship of Danu, the Celtic Earth Mother, and the reverence for St. Brigid, who shares traits with a pre-Christian goddess—were absorbed into Christian traditions. A number of seasonal festivals also continued into the Christian era.

Following the island’s conversion, Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion, with its main ecclesiastical center in Armagh, Northern Ireland. After the Protestant Reformation, Catholicism became strongly linked with Irish identity and resistance to British rule, although the Church’s political stance has historically been cautious and not always aligned with nationalist movements. In the wake of the Great Famine of the 1840s, there was a significant rise in religious devotion, leading to a notable increase in the number of Catholic clergy and missionaries throughout the next century.

Ireland | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | Britannica

FLORA AND FAUNA

During the Ice Age, glaciers covered nearly all of Ireland, meaning that much of its current plant and animal life arrived afterward through migration from other regions. While there was still a land bridge between Ireland and the rest of the British Isles, most species made their way from northern Europe. However, Ireland’s flora and fauna have some distinctive characteristics. This is partly due to the climate, but also because Ireland became separated from Britain by the Irish Sea before Britain was cut off from mainland Europe, limiting the range of species that could reach the island.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOAQ5xLxRk

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Although agriculture is no longer the backbone of Ireland’s economy, it still plays a significant role. Most of the country’s farmland is used for pasture and hay production. Thanks to Ireland’s mild and wet climate, vegetation grows abundantly, especially the lush grasslands that allow animals to graze outdoors for much of the year. The majority of farms are family-owned, and only a small number of agricultural workers are hired laborers. Mixed farming is common, with beef cattle farming dominating in the Midlands, and dairy farming more common in the south. The east and southeast regions focus heavily on cereal crops, while sheep farming is typical in hilly and mountainous areas across the country.

The majority of Ireland’s agricultural output comes from livestock and animal products, with beef being the most valuable, followed by milk and pigs. Other key products include cereals like barley and wheat, poultry and eggs, sheep and wool, and root crops such as potatoes and sugar beets—the latter being sufficient to meet the country’s sugar needs.

When Ireland gained independence in 1922, forests covered less than 1% of the country’s land. However, since World War II, government reforestation programs have significantly expanded forested areas—nearly eight times more than before. In addition, private tree-planting efforts grew in the late 20th century. In 1988, a state-owned company was created to oversee and manage Ireland’s commercial forestry sector.

As for fishing and aquaculture, these industries have been developed since the mid-20th century. Ireland’s location gives it access to some of the richest fishing grounds in the European Union, located just off its coasts. However, this also brings strong competition from other EU countries, making the industry highly competitive.

FINANCE

 Until 1979, the Irish pound (punt) was tied to the British pound sterling, but this changed when Ireland joined the European Monetary System. Today, the country uses the euro, the official currency of the European Union. The Central Bank of Ireland, founded in 1942, acts as the nation’s monetary authority. It is responsible for licensing and regulating financial institutions and overseeing the Irish Stock Exchange. Although it does not deal directly with the public, the bank influences credit levels by giving guidance to Ireland’s major banks, often referred to as the associated banks.

The Irish Stock Exchange, located in central Dublin, is one of the oldest continuously operating stock exchanges in the world, having been active since 1793.

In late 2008, Ireland experienced a major economic collapse, causing widespread financial instability. The government initially tried to stabilize the situation by guaranteeing all bank deposits, hoping to attract investors. However, this decision ended up placing a huge financial burden on Irish taxpayers. Despite efforts to handle the crisis, by November 2010, Ireland accepted a bailout exceeding $100 billion, provided by the EU, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and countries offering bilateral aid. The bailout came with strict conditions imposed by the EU and IMF.

CURIOSITIES

1.     There are no native snakes in Ireland
Legend says St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland, but in reality, the island never had snakes due to its isolation after the Ice Age.

2.     St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t always a festive parade
Originally, March 17th was a solemn religious holiday. The lively parades began with Irish immigrants in the United States.

3.     Irish uses one of the shortest alphabets in the world
The traditional Irish (Gaelic) language has only 18 letters in its alphabet.

4.     Ireland has one of the highest rates of redheads
The Irish have some of the highest percentages of red-haired people in the world, second only to Scotland.

5.     Trinity College’s library is world-famous
The Long Room in Trinity College Library, Dublin, holds over 200,000 old books, including the famous medieval manuscript, the Book of Kells.

There are more Irish people outside Ireland than in it
An estimated 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry, while Ireland’s population is only about 5 million.

7.     The national symbol is not the shamrock, but the harp
While the shamrock is well-known, the official symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp, which appears on coins and government documents.

8.     Ireland was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by public vote
In 2015, Ireland made history by approving same-sex marriage through a national referendum.

9.     Pubs are a key part of Irish culture
There are over 7,000 pubs in Ireland, and even the smallest villages usually have at least one, serving as a social hub.

10. Ireland is full of castles
There are more than 30,000 castles and castle ruins across the country, reflecting its rich medieval heritage.