Introduction to Geography of the Republic of Ireland
Ireland, Republic of (officially Eire), a country of Europe occupying most of the island of Ireland. It is bounded on the northeast by Northern Ireland, on the east by the Irish Sea, on the southeast by St. George's Channel, and on the southwest, west, and north by the Atlantic. The area is 27,135 square miles (70,280 km 2). Maximum distances are 235 miles (380 km) north-south and 175 miles (280 km) east-west.
Physical Geography
Ireland, like most of the British Isles, was glaciated during the last Ice Age. As a result, glacial debris covers much of the land. The interior consists primarily of lowlands with plains, rolling land, and hills. Nearly everywhere elevations are less than 300 feet (90 m). Ireland's coastal areas, in contrast, are marked largely by highlands and mountains. In some areas, especially the southwestern coast, they descend abruptly into the sea. The highest peak is 3,414-foot (1,041-m) Carrantuohill, in Macgillycuddy's Reeks, a mountain range in the southwest.
The Shannon is Ireland's largest river. It drains the entire central plain and flows into the Atlantic through a wide estuary near Limerick. Other main streams include the Blackwater, Suir, Nore, Barrow, Slaney, Liffey, and Boyne. Among the many loughs (lakes) are Corrib, Derg, Mask, and Ree. Numerous bays indent the coast.
Ireland has a maritime climate. Because of the temperate surrounding waters, it is particularly mild for such a northerly location. Average January temperatures are around 40° F. (4° C.); average July temperatures, about 60° F. (16° C.). Extreme heat or cold is unusual. Overcast skies, high humidity, and much rain are typical. Annual precipitation ranges from 30 inches (760 mm) at Dublin, the capital, to 80 inches (2,030 mm) in the western highlands. Snows are light and infrequent.
Bogs are extensive, and moors, consisting mainly of heather and bilberry, cover much of the higher and wetter lands. There is hardly any forest.
Economy
Agriculture formed the mainstay of the Irish economy until the mid-1950's. Since then it has been displaced by manufacturing and services, which account for more than three-fourths of the country's labor force and gross domestic product. Since joining the European Economic Community (now called the European Union) in 1973, Ireland has enjoyed dramatic economic growth. By the late 1990's Ireland had one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and one of the lowest unemployment rates.
The basic currency unit is the euro.
Manufacturing and ServicesBy granting numerous financial benefits to private enterprise, the government has greatly aided in establishing many manufacturing industries. Many foreign corporations have been attracted to Ireland. Foods, beverages, tobacco products, textiles, clothing, machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and crystal are among the many products produced. Dublin and Cork are the chief industrial centers. Also important, partly because of government-sponsored industrial parks, are Limerick, Waterford, Galway, and the area around Shannon Airport (near Limerick).
Tourism is of vital importance to Ireland, providing numerous jobs in the service sector of the economy. Banking, finance, wholesale trade, and retail trade are also important.
Agricultureprovides a livelihood for about 15 per cent of the workforce. Most of Ireland's farmland is pasture. Livestock, mainly cattle and sheep, and dairy products make up most of the farm production. Principal crops are barley, sugar beets, potatoes, and wheat.
Mining and FishingIreland has few mineral resources. Peat and natural gas are the only mineral fuels produced, and Ireland relies heavily on imported oil. Lead, zinc, and barite are the only other minerals produced in significant amounts. Commercial fishing, both inland and on coastal waters, is largely of local importance.
Tradeis mainly with other members of the European Union, especially Great Britain. Other important trading partners include the United States and Japan.
Dublin is the hub of Ireland's railway system, which is fully dieselized. A network of national highways crisscrosses the country. Virtually all of Ireland's roads are paved. Except in the estuary of the Shannon River, there is virtually no commercial use of inland waterways. Dublin and Cork (together with nearby Cóbh) are chief seaports. Aer Lingus, the national airline, and numerous foreign carriers operate out of Dublin, Shannon, and Cork airports.
Economic production in IrelandEconomic activities% of GDP producedNumber of workers% of all workersCommunity, social, personal, business, & financial services 41608,80034Manufacturing, mining, & utilities 37306,10017Transportation & communication 15112,1006Agriculture, forestry, & fishing 3116,6007Government 392,4005Wholesale & retail trade 366,00020Construction 191,40011Total‡ 1001,793,400100The People
Although the Irish are a relatively homogeneous people, they are descended from a variety of settlers and invaders. Among the earliest were the Gaels (Celts), Norsemen, and Normans. In the 16th and 17th centuries, large numbers of English and Scottish settlers arrived. Culturally, Celtic influences have probably been the strongest.
According to the 2002 census, the republic had a population of 3,917,203. The population density was 144 persons per square mile (56 per km 2). Slightly more than half the people live in urban areas. For more than a century, Ireland's population, unlike that of other countries, declined in size. This trend was reversed in the 1960's, but today's population is still little more than half that of 1841. The decline was caused by emigration and by a low birth rate brought on, in part, by a tendency toward late marriages. Early emigrations were to many countries, especially the United States; today's emigrants go mainly to Britain.
Ireland has two official languages, English and Gaelic. English is the language of common use. Gaelic fell into disuse during the long centuries of British rule and is now spoken mainly in rural areas in the west. About 94 per cent of the people are Roman Catholics. Most of the rest are Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, or Jews.
Education is compulsory for children from age 6 to age 15. Most attend national schools, operated by religious denominations but supervised and largely financed by the government. Secondary education is offered by several kinds of schools. Academic programs are offered by privately run schools funded by the government. Vocational training and combination (vocational-academic) programs are offered by publicly run schools. Universities include the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and the National University of Ireland, with colleges in Dublin, Galway, and Cork. There are also a number of technical colleges.
Ireland is noted for its singers, poets, and dramatists. This tradition is reflected in public events such as the Cork International Choral Festival, the Wexford Festival of Music and the Arts, and the Dublin Theatre Festival. The country's major holiday is Saint Patrick's Day.
Team sports unique to the Irish are hurling, played with a small ball and a stick, and Gaelic football. Both are unusually rough games. As an individual sport, golf is almost as common in Ireland as in Scotland. Horses have remained much in use in Ireland, and horse shows, steeplechase meets, and races are popular events. The Irish Derby is the race for which Irish Sweepstakes tickets are sold.
Government
The Republic of Ireland is governed under the constitution of 1937. The president, who is elected by popular vote for seven years, is largely a figurehead. Parliament consists of the House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann) and Senate (Seanad Éireann). The House has 166 members elected by proportional representation for five years, unless a general election is called at a shorter interval. The Senate has 60 members, of whom 11 are named by the prime minister. The 49 other senators are elected. The Senate cannot reject bills; it can only consider and amend them. Executive power is exercised by the prime minister (the leader of the majority party or coalition) and cabinet responsible to the House.
The judiciary is headed by a Supreme Court, which consists of a chief justice and five other judges. It may, if requested by the president, pass on the constitutionality of newly enacted legislation.
The country is divided into 26 counties and 4 county boroughs.