Ireland Matt A-1

Capital The capital of Ireland is Dublin. Dublin is also the largest city in Ireland.

Dublin The population of Dublin in 2006 was 505,739. Dublin is a city for walkers, talkers and a city where the people are as worth watching as the architecture. Music is prevalent throughout all of Dublin.

Dublin Continued The center of which this town developed is around the Dublin Castle. The castle was completed in the 16th century and later, but parts of it date from early in the 13th century.

Culture Farming in Ireland is an activity that goes back to the very beginnings of human settlement. For an island of relatively small population, Ireland has made a large contribution to world literature in all its branches, mainly in English. The Irish have always been known for their folk music. Irish music has shown an immense inflation of popularity with many attempting to return to their roots. The Book of Kells

Location Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is located west of Great Britain

Climate Overall, Ireland has a mild, but changeable, climate all year with few extremes. Precipitation falls throughout the year, but is light overall, particularly in the east.

Cities Some Major cities in Ireland are Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, and Ennis. Dublin is the largest city in Ireland with about half a million people. The next largest is Limerick with only 119,418 people. The importance of Cities has grown in Ireland.

Economy For centuries the Irish economy depended on agriculture. The industry in Ireland has had a tremendous effect on the change. In the 1990’s only 12% was agriculture while other areas such as manufacturing and commerce have increased.

Tourism The tourist industry ranks as an important source of income for Ireland. About 15 percent of the country's workforce is directly or indirectly employed in tourism. Dunguaire Castle

People The Irish are descendants primarily of the ancient Celts. Some famous notable people from Ireland are Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Farrell.

Religion About 92 percent of the people are Roman Catholics. Other religions are Protestant, Muslims, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Orthodox.

Continued Clonmacnoise was founded as a Roman Catholic monastic settlement in the 6th century and soon became an important center of learning. Today its ruins draw many visitors.

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