Dialing code +353
ISO 2 code IE
ISO 3 code IRL
Capital Dublin
Main Language English
Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $191.9 billion 53rd
Population 4,622,917 121st

Geography

Continent Europe
Location Western Europe occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean west of Great Britain
Land 70,280 km2 121st
Terrain Mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Climate Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Natural Hazards Mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Note: Strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

Neighbouring Countries

United Kingdom

History

Celtic tribes arrived on the 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. English 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 UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006 the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.
Read more on Wikipedia

Demographics

Life Expectancy 78.24 years 40th
Median Age 35.0 years 60th
Birth Rate 14.23 births/1,000 population 139th
Death Rate 7.75 births/1,000 population 106th
Sex Ratio 0.81 male(s)/female 83rd
Literacy 99.0% 26th
Population

4.6 million

Transportation

Roadways 96602 km 45th
Railways 3237 km 52nd
Airports 37 106th
Waterways 956 km 66th
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 184th

Economy

Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $191.9 billion 53rd
GDP per capita (PPP) $46200 10th