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