IRELAND BY AMELIA PEARSON

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century saw the population of the island drop by one third through starvation and emigration. For more than a century after that the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century saw the population of the island drop by one third through starvation and emigration. For more than a century after that the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU. The Government of Ireland was part of a process along with the UK and US Governments that helped broker what is known as The Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland in Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU. The Government of Ireland was part of a process along with the UK and US Governments that helped broker what is known as The Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland in This initiated a new phase of cooperation between Irish and British governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the Eurozone currency union in This initiated a new phase of cooperation between Irish and British governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the Eurozone currency union in 1999.

land: 68,883 sq. km land: 68,883 sq. km water: 1,390 sq. km water: 1,390 sq. km mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on the west coast mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on the west coast arable land: 15.11% arable land: 15.11% permanent crops: 0.01% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 84.87% (2011) other: 84.87% (2011)

PEOPLE & SOCIETY English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast) English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast) Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.) Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.) 4,832,765 (July 2014 est.) 4,832,765 (July 2014 est.) noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Irish 84.5%, other white 9.8%, Asian 1.9%, black 1.4%, mixed and other 0.9%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)

GOVERNMENT Government type: republic, parliamentary democracy conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire Capital: name: Dublin Capital: name: Dublin Independence: Independence: 6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)

ECONOMY Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January Ireland was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January GDP growth averaged 6% in , but economic activity has dropped sharply since the onset of the world financial crisis. GDP growth averaged 6% in , but economic activity has dropped sharply since the onset of the world financial crisis. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. o Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2007 than in any other developed economy.

COMMUNICATIONS Telephones - main lines in use: million Telephones - main lines in use: million publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi- channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels. publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi- channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels. Internet hosts:1.387 million (2012) Internet hosts:1.387 million (2012) Internet users: million (2009) Internet users: million (2009)

MILLITARY Military service age and obligation: years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Permanent Defense Forces (PDF; years of age for the Naval Service); for cadetship (officer) applicants; years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (PDF officers), 5 years (PDF enlisted), 3 years RDF (4 years for Naval Service Reserves); EU citizenship, refugee status, or 5-year residence in Ireland required