Discover Fascinating Ireland Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Ireland.

Ireland

Background

๐ŸŒ Ireland's history is a rich tapestry woven with various cultures and events! The journey began over 2500 years ago when Celtic tribes settled in this beautiful land around 600 to 150 B.C. ๐Ÿฐ

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Then came the Norsemen in the late 8th century, adding more layers to the Irish heritage. In the 12th century, the Anglo-Norman invasions shaped a significant part of Ireland's history. Fast forward to the 20th century, Ireland began its quest for independence, breaking away from the United Kingdom in 1921. Finally, in 1949, Ireland proudly declared itself a republic! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ชโœจ

Each of these events has contributed to Ireland's unique culture and identity we celebrate today! ๐ŸŽ‰

Celtic tribes arrival

Between 600 and 150 B.C.

Norsemen arrival

Late 8th century

Anglo-Norman invasions start

12th century

Independence from UK

1921

Republic declared

1949

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒ Ireland's Export Treasures ๐ŸŒ

Ireland has a fascinating collection of export commodities that play a crucial role in its economy. Here's a peek at what the country sent abroad in 2022:

  • Vaccines ๐Ÿ’‰
  • Packaged medicine ๐Ÿ’Š
  • Nitrogen compounds โš—๏ธ
  • Integrated circuits ๐Ÿ’ป
  • Scented mixtures ๐ŸŒธ

These exports reflect the innovative spirit of Ireland and its contribution to global health and technology! ๐ŸŒŸ

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ Check out the export partners of Ireland! In 2022, a large portion of Ireland's exports went to different countries. Here's how it breaks down:

  • United States: 30% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Germany: 12% ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • United Kingdom: 8% ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง
  • Belgium: 7% ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช
  • China: 7% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

As you can see, the US is the biggest partner by a long shot! ๐Ÿ“ˆโœˆ๏ธ

Total Export Partners

5

Highest Export Partner

United States 30%

Ireland's Export Partners (2022)

Capital

๐Ÿ™๏ธ The capital city of Ireland is Dublin! Dublin is not just the heart of Ireland, but it's also bustling with culture, history, and vibrant life. From its famous landmarks like the Ha'penny Bridge to its cozy pubs, Dublin has something for everyone! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ชโœจ

Imports - commodities

In 2022, Ireland imported a variety of essential commodities that play a big role in its economy! โœˆ๏ธ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ’‰ Let's take a look at what they brought in:

  • Aircraft: These are crucial for transport and connectivity around the globe!
  • Nitrogen Compounds: Important for agriculture and other industries!
  • Refined Petroleum: A key energy source for the country.
  • Natural Gas: Vital for heating and powering homes!
  • Vaccines: Essential for public health and safety! ๐Ÿ’‰๐Ÿ‘จโ€โš•๏ธ

Ireland's imports are diverse and speak volumes about the country's needs and priorities in today's fast-paced world! ๐ŸŒ

Imported Commodities

Aircraft, Nitrogen Compounds, Refined Petroleum, Natural Gas, Vaccines

Climate

๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ Ireland boasts a temperate maritime climate, which means it enjoys mild winters and cool summers. The weather is heavily influenced by the North Atlantic Current, ensuring a consistent level of humidity throughout the year. โ˜๏ธ You can expect overcast skies about half the time, making it perfect for cozy indoor activities with a good book! ๐Ÿ“š

Climate Type

Temperate Maritime

Winter Temperature

Mild

Summer Temperature

Cool

Sky Overcast Frequency

About 50%

Executive branch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Ireland's Executive Branch Overview ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช

Let's dive into who is in charge of the Emerald Isle! ๐ŸŒฟ

  • Chief of State: The President of Ireland is Michael D. HIGGINS, who has been leading the country since 11 November 2011.

  • Head of Government: The Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, is Simon HARRIS. He resigned on 18 December 2024, but he is staying on as Caretaker until a new Prime Minister is chosen. His tenure began on 9 April 2024.

Isn't it interesting to see how leadership works in Ireland? ๐Ÿ€

Current President

Michael D. HIGGINS

President's Start Date

11 November 2011

Current Taoiseach

Simon HARRIS

Taoiseach's Resignation Date

18 December 2024

Taoiseach's Start Date

9 April 2024

Legislative branch

๐Ÿ“œ Legislative Branch of Ireland

Ireland's legislative branch is a bicameral Parliament which means it has two houses! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

  1. Senate: The upper house has 60 seats.
  2. House of Representatives: The lower house has a whopping 174 seats! ๐ŸŽ‰

This division allows for diverse opinions and laws to be debated and passed in the country. Let's explore some cool statistics about it! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Number of Seats in Parliament

234

Seats in the Irish Parliament

Natural resources

๐ŸŒฑ Ireland is rich in a variety of natural resources! Some of the notable ones include:

  • Natural Gas: A vital energy source, used widely in homes and industries.
  • Peat: This is a unique resource used for fuel and soil enhancement.
  • Copper: Known for its great conductivity, this metal is crucial in electrical wiring.
  • Lead: A heavy metal mostly used in batteries and radiation shielding.
  • Zinc: Essential for various manufacturing processes and preventing rust in steel.
  • Silver: This precious metal has many uses, including jewelry and electronics.
  • Barite: A mineral often used in drilling fluids for oil and gas.
  • Gypsum: Important for making plaster and drywall.
  • Limestone: Key for construction and the production of lime.
  • Dolomite: Similar to limestone, used in construction and as a soil conditioner.

These resources not only contribute to Ireland's economy but also play a crucial role in various industries! โœจ

Natural resources in Ireland

Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Economic overview

๐Ÿฆ Ireland's Economic Overview ๐Ÿฆ

Ireland boasts a strong and export-based economy within the European Union. ๐ŸŒ It's a wonderful place for multinational businesses due to its friendly environment, making it a popular choice for companies! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Even during the tough times of COVID-19, Ireland showed remarkable resilience! ๐Ÿ’ช

Check out some of the highlights:

  • Real wage growth that outshines many other OECD members! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • High living standards ensure everyone enjoys a good quality of life! ๐Ÿ 
  • Strong social equity and cohesion makes communities thrive together! ๐Ÿค
  • However, the workforce is aging, which is something to keep an eye on! ๐Ÿ‘ด๐Ÿ‘ต

Ireland truly is a gem when it comes to economic performance! ๐ŸŒŸ

Type of Economy

Export-based

Economic Resilience

Resilient amid COVID-19

Wage Growth Comparison

Beyond other OECD members

Living Standards

High

Social Equity

Strong

Labor Force Ageing

Aging labor force

Government type

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Ireland is a Parliamentary Republic! This means that the government is elected by the people and the parliament makes the country's laws. It's all about citizens having a voice in how things are run! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธโœจ

Type of Government in Ireland

Parliamentary Republic

Ethnic groups

In Ireland, the ethnic tapestry is quite colorful! ๐ŸŒˆ Here's how the population breaks down:

  • Irish: 76.6%
  • Irish Travelers: 0.6%
  • Other White: 9.9%
  • Asian: 3.3%
  • Black: 1.5%
  • Other (includes Arab, Roma, and mixed backgrounds): 2%
  • Unspecified: 2.6%

As you can see, the Irish make up the largest group, but there's also a variety of other ethnicities that contribute to the vibrant culture! ๐ŸŽ‰

Letโ€™s take a look at how these percentages stack up visually. ๐Ÿ“Š

Percentage of Irish ethnic group

76.6%

Percentage of Irish Travelers

0.6%

Percentage of Other White

9.9%

Percentage of Asian

3.3%

Percentage of Black

1.5%

Percentage of Other ethnicities

2%

Percentage Unspecified

2.6%

Ethnic Groups in Ireland (2022 Est.)

Religions

In Ireland, religion plays an important role in people's lives! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Hereโ€™s how the people identify their faith:

  • Roman Catholic: 69.2% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, including those who may have strayed from regular practice.
  • Protestant: Only 3.7% are Protestant, which includes:
    • Church of Ireland/England/Anglican/Episcopalian: 2.5%
    • Other Protestant denominations: 1.2%
  • Orthodox: 2% of the population belongs to the Orthodox tradition.
  • Other Christian: 0.9% identify as other forms of Christianity.
  • Muslim: 1.6% are Muslim.
  • Other: 1.4% follow other religions.
  • Agnostic/Atheist: A small group of 0.1% identifies as agnostic or atheist.
  • None: 14.5% of people report having no religion.
  • Unspecified: 6.7% didnโ€™t specify their religion.

This breakdown shows how diverse Ireland's religious landscape is! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Percentage of Roman Catholics

69.2

Percentage of Protestants

3.7

Muslim Percentage

1.6

Percentage Identifying as None

14.5

Percentage of Undefined Religions

6.7

Religious Identification in Ireland (2022)

Languages

In Ireland, two main languages are recognized! ๐Ÿ“š The most widely spoken language is English, which is used officially and is generally spoken by everyone. The other language is Irish (also known as Gaelic or Gaeilge), which is also an official language. ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Irish is spoken by approximately 37.7% of the population, making it important for cultural identity. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช๐ŸŒ

Percentage of population speaking Irish

37.7%

Percentage of population speaking English

62.3%

Language Usage in Ireland

Imports - partners

Ireland's imports come from various countries, making the trade landscape quite colorful! ๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at who the main partners are:

  • United Kingdom: 26% ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง
  • United States: 16% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Germany: 9% ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • China: 6% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Netherlands: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ

These percentages show how much each country contributes to Ireland's total imports. As you can see, the UK is the biggest partner by a good margin! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Percentage from Top Partners

63%

Ireland's Import Partners (2022)

Population

๐Ÿ“Š Population of Ireland: Did you know that Ireland has a total population of 5,233,461 people? That's quite a lively number! Each one of these individuals adds to the rich culture and vibrant community of this beautiful country. ๐ŸŒ Ireland is known for its spectacular landscapes, warm hospitality, and traditions that date back centuries. Let's celebrate every single person living in this amazing place!

Total Population

5,233,461

Area

๐ŸŒ Let's explore the area of Ireland! The total area of this beautiful country is 70,273 square kilometers. Out of this, 68,883 square kilometers is land, while 1,390 square kilometers consists of water. That's a lot of land for exploring castles, green fields, and scenic views! ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿ’ง

Total Area

70273 sq km

Total Land Area

68883 sq km

Total Water Area

1390 sq km

Breakdown of Ireland's Area

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐Ÿ“ˆ Ireland's Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) shows impressive growth over the years! Hereโ€™s a look at the numbers for the past few years:

  • 2021: $574.387 billion
  • 2022: $628.57 billion
  • 2023: $608.463 billion

Although there was a slight dip in 2023 compared to 2022, the overall trend indicates a healthy economy! ๐Ÿ’ช

Real GDP in 2021

574.387 billion USD

Real GDP in 2022

628.57 billion USD

Real GDP in 2023

608.463 billion USD

Real GDP Growth in Ireland (PPP)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ Let's take a closer look at Ireland's economy and its Real GDP per capita over the years! Real GDP per capita tells us how much each person in a country contributes to the economy on average. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Hereโ€™s what we found for the last three years:

  • 2021: $114,100
  • 2022: $122,600
  • 2023: $115,600

What a ride! ๐Ÿš€ In 2022, Ireland saw an impressive increase, but in 2023, the value lightened up just a bit. What do you think will happen next? ๐Ÿค”

Real GDP per Capita in Ireland (2021-2023)

Imports

๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's dive into the world of Ireland's Imports! Over the years, Ireland has seen a remarkable increase in its import values. Check out the estimated figures for the past three years:

  • 2021: $479.284 billion
  • 2022: $516.084 billion
  • 2023: $548.827 billion

That's some impressive growth! ๐ŸŒŸ

Estimated Import Value for 2023

548.827

Estimated Import Value for 2022

516.084

Estimated Import Value for 2021

479.284

Ireland's Imports Over Time

Exports

๐Ÿ“ˆ Exports of Ireland

Ireland is doing fabulously well with its exports! In just two years, they have seen a remarkable increase:

  • In 2021, Ireland's exports were $685.814 billion.
  • By 2022, this number grew to $729.135 billion. That's a jump of nearly $43.3 billion!
  • And in 2023, the exports reached an astounding $731.814 billion.

Isn't that impressive? This shows how strong the economy is!

Exports in 2021

685.814 billion $

Exports in 2022

729.135 billion $

Exports in 2023

731.814 billion $

Exports of Ireland Over Time

Population growth rate

In Ireland, the population growth rate is estimated to be 0.93% for the year 2024. This means that the number of people living in Ireland is slowly increasing. ๐Ÿ“ˆ It's always exciting to see how populations change over time!

Population Growth Rate

0.93%

Year of Estimate

2024