Ireland Fact - Global Guide for Traveler

The Ireland (Republic of) is a country in Europe. It shares the island with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom.

Celtic tribes arrived on the Ireland island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. British invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the United Kingdom for 26 southern counties. Six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK and formed Northern Ireland region. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth. In 1973, it joined the European Community. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification and have cooperated with Britain against terrorism. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.

Quick Ireland fact table

Capital:	Dublin
Location:	Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
Area:	total: 70,280 sq km; land: 68,890 sq km; water: 1,390 sq km
Climate:	temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Population:	4,062,235 (July 2006 est.)
Religions:	Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census)
Languages:	English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
Government:	parliamentary democracy
Currency:	euro (EUR)
Internet TLD:	.ie

Read more about Ireland fact. Sources: Wiki Ireland, CIA Ireland fact