Ireland

Ireland is an island lying to the west of Britain and is separated from Britain by the Irish Sea. It includes two parts, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Dublin is the capital of the Republic, Belfast of Northern Ireland. The island’s area is 84 421 sq km.
Ireland is divided into 32 countries: The Republic of Ireland consists of 26 countries and Northern Ireland of 6.

Centuries-long British rule in Ireland resulted in the Easter Rising of 1916 when the General Post Office in Dublin was seized and independence proclaimed. In 1921, 26 countries of Ireland gained independence from London following negotiations, which led to partition.
The island’s other six countries, part of the province of Ulster (in the north), remained in the United Kingdom.
Relations between Dublin and London remained tense for many years afterwards. Northern Ireland saw decades of violent conflict between those campaigning for a united Ireland and those wishing to stay in the United Kingdom. The Irish and UK governments worked closely together in negotiations and peace talks, which led to the Good Friday Agreement on the future of Northern Ireland in 1998.

The Irish flag was first used in 1848. It is a tricolour of green, white and orange. The green colour represents the native people of Ireland. The orange colour represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century. The white in the center of the flag represents peace between Roman Catholic and Protestant.

The Republic of Ireland’s total population is 3,6 million. Northern Ireland has a population of about 1,6 million. Historically a mixture of many races, the Irish are remarkably homogenous. Generally, they are a fair-skinned, dark-haired race with quite a number of red-haired people among them.

Since joining the European Community in 1793, the Republic of Ireland has accelerated its growth from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technology-based economy. The Irish economy grew so rapidly in the 1990´s that it was called the “Celtic Tiger” after the booming economies of Southeast Asia.

Attendance at school is compulsory and free up to the age of 15. Irish is a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools. Secondary schools are for children aged 12 and over and those who successfully complete their education at this level receive the Leaving Certificate. There are four universities in the Republic.
In the Northern Ireland education is basically modeled on the British system.
Gaelic Football, similar to soccer and rugby, is very popular, along with Hurling, the oldest team game played in Ireland, which requires delicate ball skills and the strongest of bones.