Ireland (Irish: Éire; Ulster Scots: Airlann) is the third largest island in Europe and the twentieth largest in the world. It lies to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland, separated by the Irish Sea, is the island of Great Britain. Politically, the state known as Ireland, covers five sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, occupies the northeastern sixth of the island. The name 'Ireland' derives from the name Ériu (in modern Irish, Éire) with the addition of the Germanic word 'land'.
POPULATION
The total population of the State in April 2003 was estimated at 3.98 million - the highest figure since 1871 when the census for that year recorded a population of 4.05 million. About two thirds of the people live in cities and towns of more than 1,000 inhabitants. The population is very young , with approximately 37% under 25 years of age and 21% under 15 years of age. The population increased by 61,700 or 1.6% compared with the 3.92 million recorded in the 2002 census. The estimated number of immigrants in the year to April 2003 was 50,500 while emigrants numbered 20,700.
CULTURE
For an island of relatively small population, Ireland has made a disproportionately large contribution to world literature in all its branches, mainly in English. Poetry in Irish represents the oldest vernacular poetry in Europe with the earliest examples dating from the 6th century; Jonathan Swift, still often called the foremost satirist in the English language, was wildly popular in his day (Gulliver's Travels, A Modest Proposal etc.) and remains so in modern times amongst both children and adults. In more recent times, Ireland has produced four winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature: George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Although not a Nobel Prize winner, James Joyce is widely considered one of the most, if not the most, significant writers of the 20th century. His 1922 novel Ulysses is cited as the greatest English-language novel of the 20th century and his life is celebrated annually on June 16 in Dublin as the Bloomsday celebrations.
The Irish tradition of folk music and dance is also widely known. In the middle years of the 20th century, as Irish society was attempting to modernise, traditional music tended to fall out of favour, especially in urban areas. During the 1960s, and inspired by the American folk music movement, there was a revival of interest in the Irish tradition. This revival was led by such groups as The Dubliners, The Chieftains, the Clancy Brothers, Sweeney's Men, and individuals like Seán Ó Riada and Christy Moore. Irish and Scottish traditional music are similar.
Before too long, groups and musicians including Horslips, Van Morrison, and even Thin Lizzy were incorporating elements of traditional music into a rock idiom to form a unique new sound. During the 1970s and 1980s, the distinction between traditional and rock musicians became blurred, with many individuals regularly crossing over between these styles of playing as a matter of course. This trend can be seen more recently in the work of artists like U2, Enya, Flogging Molly, Moya Brennan, The Saw Doctors, Damien Rice, The Corrs, Sinéad O'Connor, Clannad, The Cranberries, Rory Gallagher Westlife, B*witched, BoyZone, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Black 47, Wolfe Tones, Ash and The Pogues.
Of note also is a growing genre of Irish music fused with heavy metal called Celtic Metal / Celtic Battle Metal (also sometimes called Folk Metal). Geasa, Primordial, Waylander, and Cruachan are examples of bands who perform this style of music.
The Republic has done well in the Eurovision Song Contest, being the most successful country in the competition, with seven wins.
Film
Cinema has existed in Ireland for over a century, and Ireland and the Irish have attracted many leading film makers. Alfred Hitchcock came in 1929 to make Juno and the Paycock with the Abbey Theatre Players. John Ford made The Informer in l935 and The Quiet Man. John Huston shot many films in Ireland including The Dead (based on a short story by James Joyce). David Lean made Ryan's Daughter in l97l.
The Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann (established in 1981 and re-established in 1993) has encouraged independent film production in Ireland. Home grown images have been brought to international screens by Bob Quinn (Caoineadh Art Uí Laoíre 1975, Poitín 1978, Bishop's Story 1994), Joe Comerford (Traveller 1982, Reefer and the Model 1988, High Boot Benny 1994), Thaddeus O'Sullivan (The Woman Who Married Clark Gable 1985, December Bride 1990), Peter Ormrod (Eat The Peach 1986), Cathal Black (Pigs 1984, Korea 1995), Neil Jordan (Angel 1982, Mona Lisa 1986, Crying Game 1992) and Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot 1989 , The Field, The Miracle 1990, Into the West 1992, In the Name of the Father 1993).
Films produced in Ireland range in size and theme from international blockbusters such as Braveheart to many indigenous stories produced on a relatively low budget such as Guiltrip. The film studios at Ardmore, Co. Wicklow, have entered a period of sustained activity.
The history of Ireland is rich in the legends, myths and folklore of different races. It has been proven that the traditions of the Irish people are the oldest of any race in all western Europe and that they are the longest settled on their own land. The Irish, too, was one of the first peoples to adopt surnames and , as many of these were fixed during or shortly after the reign of Brian Boru , The High King of Ireland (AD941-1014AD) the Irish may indeed be justly proud of their tradition. Indeed the history of the O'Kellys in Ireland predates this period and there are many stories and legends surrounding the O'Kelly family from this time
The earliest inhabitants arrive in present-day Ireland about 6000 BC. Around the fourth century BC the Celts, a tall, energetic people who had spread across Europe and Britain in the preceding centuries, invade the island. The Celts, or Gaels, and their more numerous predecessors divide into five kingdoms (Connacht, Leinster, Meath, Munster, and Ulster) in which, despite constant strife, a rich culture flourishes. The coming of christianity brings major changes and civilizing influences. Tradition maintains that in 432 AD, St. Patrick arrives on the island and, in the years that followed, works to convert the Irish to christianity. After 795 Vikings rule the island. In the 12th century English penetration starts and from 1171 the English conquest of Ireland begins. THis is completed in the upcoming centuries and in 1541 the island becomes the Kingdom of Ireland in personal union with England.
From 1801 Ireland is formally a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Religious freedom (catholicism) is restored in 1829. This is overshadowed by severe economic depression and mass famine from 1846-48 when the potato crop failed. This leads to a mass emigration to the United States. Since 1858 independence movements are active. The Home Rule Movement advocates constitutional change for independence. Under Charles Stewart Parnell, this party is able to force British governments after 1885 to introduce several home rule bills. At the turn of the century the more radical Sinn Fein ("Ourselves Alone", SF) is founded.
When the enactment of home rule is suspended in 1914 World War I ends, radicals lead the unsuccessful Easter Rising of 1916. The decision to execute the leaders of the rebellion produces massive support for Sinn Féin ("Ourselves", SF) in the 1918 general election. Under the leadership of Eamon de Valera, the elected SF deputies constitute themselves as the first Irish parliament. Tensions increase: British attempts to smash Sinn Fein ignite the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-21. The end of the war is brought by the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921, which establishes the Irish Free State of 26 counties within the Commonwealth and recognizes the partition of the island into Ireland and Northern Ireland supposedly as a temporary measure. Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom.
Ireland becomes a parliamentary democratic republic under prime minister Michael Collins of Sinn Féin. When he dies in 1922, he is succeeded by William Thomas Cosgrave. A significant Irish minority repudiates the treaty settlement because of the continuance of subordinate ties to the British monarch and the partition of the island. This opposition leads to further hostilities, a civil war (1922-23), which is won by the pro-treaty forces around Cosgrave. Sinn Féin splits. The pro-treaty forces form the Cumman na nGaedheal (Society of the Gaels, CG) under Cosgrave until 1932. Eamon de Valera forms the Fianna Fáil ('Soldiers of Destiny'/Republican Party, FF). In 1932 De Valera becomes prime minister. A new Irish constitution is enacted in 1937, making Ireland a de facto republic. The last British military bases are soon withdrawn and the ports are returned to Irish control. Ireland is neutral in World War II.
In 1948 the government formally declared Ireland a republic. Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's civil war. Fianna Fáil is formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail is mostly Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael ('Tribe of the Gaels'/United Ireland Party, FG), as successor of the CG representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. These parties alternate in government, whereas FG ususally forms a coalition together with the Páirtí Lucht Oibre (Labour Party).
In 1948 FG and allies wins the elections, bringing John Aloysius Costello to the premiership. This lasts until 1951, when De Valera becomes prime minister for the 2nd time. Between 1954 and 1957 Costello is prime minister again, but in 1957 he is succeeded by De Valera. When De Valera becomes president in 1959, his co-partisan Sean Francis Lemass takes over, succeeded in 1966 by Jack Lynch. Ireland joins the European Communities (renamed European Union in 1993) in 1973. In the same year Fine Gael wins the elections and Liam Cosgrave becomes prime minister. He is succeeded in 1979 by Lynch. Haughey takes over in 1979. With interruptions by Garret FitzGerald of Fine Gael in 1981/1982 and from 1982 until 1987, he remains in office until 1992. That year Albert Reynolds succeeds him. Under his leadership the FF looses the 1994 elections, leading to a coalition of Ff with Labour. This government collapsed and John Gerard Bruton of Fine Gael comes to power. Since 1997 the government is led by Bertie Ahern in a coalition with the liberal An Partí Daonlataoh/Progressive Democrats (PD).
POLITICS OF IRELAND
Politics of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Dáil Éireann and the Seanad Éireann. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. While there are a number of important political parties in the state, the two largest are Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The state is a member of the European Union. The Uachtarán (President) is the head of state, though only has limited powers.
The state operates under the Constitution of Ireland, officially known as Bunreacht na hÉireann, adopted in 1937. The constitution falls within the liberal democratic tradition. It defines the organs of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights. The constitution may only be amended by referendum. Important constitutional referenda have concerned issues such as abortion, the status of the Catholic Church, divorce and the European Union
The head of state is the President of Ireland. In keeping with the state's parliamentary system of government the President exercises largely a ceremonial role but does possess certain reserve powers. The presidency is open to all citizens who are at least 35. They are directly elected by secret ballot under the Alternative Vote also known as proportional representation. A candidate may also be chosen by a consensus among the political parties, in which case it is unnecessary to proceed to a ballot. The President is elected to a seven year term; no candidate may serve more than two terms. In carrying out certain of their constitutional functions, the President is aided by the Council of State
Executive authority is exercised by a cabinet known simply as the Government. The Government consists of the Taoiseach (prime minister), the Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) and up to thirteen other ministers. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President, after being designated by Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament). The remaining ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil. The Government must enjoy the confidence of Dáil Éireann and, in the event that they cease to enjoy the support of the lower house, the Taoiseach must either resign or persuade the President to dissolve the Dáil, in which case a general election follows.
The parliament of the Republic of Ireland is the Oireachtas. The Oireachtas consists of the President and two houses: Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann (also known as the Senate). The Dáil is by far the dominant tier of the legislature. The President may not veto laws in most circumstances and the Senate may only delay legislation.
· Dáil Éireann: The Dáil is directly elected at least once in every five years under the Single Transferable Vote form of proportional representation. Membership of the house is open to all citizens who are at least 21, and the electorate consists of adult Irish and UK citizens. It currently has 166 members, of which one, the Ceann Comhairle, is automatically returned at an election. Since the early 1990s no single party has had a majority in Dáil Éireann, meaning that coalition governments have been the norm.
· Seanad Éireann: The Senate is a largely advisory body. It consists of sixty members: eleven nominated by the Taoiseach, six elected by certain national universities, and 43 elected from special vocational panels of candidates. The Senate has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dáil.
The Republic of Ireland is a common law jurisdiction. The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the High Court and many lower courts established by law. Judges are appointed by the President after being nominated by the Government and can be removed from office only for misbehaviour or incapacity, and then only by resolution of both houses of the Oireachtas. The final court of appeal is the Supreme Court, which consists of the Chief Justice and seven other justices. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review and may declare to be invalid both laws and acts of the state which are repugnant to the constitution.
Local government in the Republic of Ireland is governed by the Local Government Acts, the most significant of which was in 2001, which established a two-tier structure of loca government. The top tier of the structure consists of 29 County Councils. Each of the Republic's 26 traditional counties have councils, with the exceptions of Dublin (divided between three councils), and Tipperary (divided into two). The five largest cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford) also have City Councils, which have the same status as County Councils.
The second tier of local government consists of the town councils. The towns of Kilkenny, Sligo, Drogheda, Clonmel, and Wexford use the title of "Borough Council" instead of "Town Council", but they have no additional responsibilities. Local government bodies have responsibility for such matters as planning, roads, sanitation and libraries.
Under the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement) and Article 3 of the constitution a North-South Ministerial Council and six North-South Implementation Bodies coordinate activities and exercise a limited governmental role within certain policy areas across the whole island of Ireland. The Implementation Bodies have limited executive authority in six policy areas. Meetings of the Council take the form of meetings between ministers from both the Republic's Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The Council is currently suspended.
A number of political parties are represented in the Dáil and coalition governments are common. Neither of the two largest parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, strongly identifies itself as either a left or right-wing group. The third largest party in the state is the centre-left Labour Party. Labour is joined on the left by the Green Party and on the far-left by Sinn Féin and the Socialist Party. The right is represented by the Progressive Democrats who are classical liberals with regard to economic policy. Independent TDs (MPs) also play an important role in Irish politics.
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