Discover Fascinating Ireland Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Ireland.
Ireland
Background
๐ 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. ๐ฐ
๐ฅ 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! ๐ฎ๐ชโจ
Each of these events has contributed to Ireland's unique culture and identity we celebrate today! ๐
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
๐ Ireland's Export Treasures ๐
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 ๐
- Packaged medicine ๐
- Nitrogen compounds โ๏ธ
- Integrated circuits ๐ป
- Scented mixtures ๐ธ
These exports reflect the innovative spirit of Ireland and its contribution to global health and technology! ๐
Exports - partners
๐ 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% ๐บ๐ธ
- Germany: 12% ๐ฉ๐ช
- United Kingdom: 8% ๐ฌ๐ง
- Belgium: 7% ๐ง๐ช
- China: 7% ๐จ๐ณ
As you can see, the US is the biggest partner by a long shot! ๐โ๏ธ
Total Export Partners
5
Highest Export Partner
United States 30%
Ireland's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐๏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! ๐ฎ๐ชโจ
Imports - commodities
In 2022, Ireland imported a variety of essential commodities that play a big role in its economy! โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ 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! ๐๐จโโ๏ธ
Ireland's imports are diverse and speak volumes about the country's needs and priorities in today's fast-paced world! ๐
Imported Commodities
Aircraft, Nitrogen Compounds, Refined Petroleum, Natural Gas, Vaccines
Climate
๐ฆ๏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! ๐
Climate Type
Temperate Maritime
Winter Temperature
Mild
Summer Temperature
Cool
Sky Overcast Frequency
About 50%
Executive branch
๐ฎ๐ช Ireland's Executive Branch Overview ๐ฎ๐ช
Let's dive into who is in charge of the Emerald Isle! ๐ฟ
-
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? ๐
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
๐ Legislative Branch of Ireland
Ireland's legislative branch is a bicameral Parliament which means it has two houses! ๐๏ธ
- Senate: The upper house has 60 seats.
- House of Representatives: The lower house has a whopping 174 seats! ๐
This division allows for diverse opinions and laws to be debated and passed in the country. Let's explore some cool statistics about it! ๐
Total Number of Seats in Parliament
234
Seats in the Irish Parliament
Natural resources
๐ฑ 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! โจ
Natural resources in Ireland
Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite
Economic overview
๐ฆ Ireland's Economic Overview ๐ฆ
Ireland boasts a strong and export-based economy within the European Union. ๐ It's a wonderful place for multinational businesses due to its friendly environment, making it a popular choice for companies! ๐ Even during the tough times of COVID-19, Ireland showed remarkable resilience! ๐ช
Check out some of the highlights:
- Real wage growth that outshines many other OECD members! ๐ฐ
- High living standards ensure everyone enjoys a good quality of life! ๐
- Strong social equity and cohesion makes communities thrive together! ๐ค
- However, the workforce is aging, which is something to keep an eye on! ๐ด๐ต
Ireland truly is a gem when it comes to economic performance! ๐
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
๐ฎ๐ช 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! ๐ณ๏ธโจ
Type of Government in Ireland
Parliamentary Republic
Ethnic groups
In Ireland, the ethnic tapestry is quite colorful! ๐ 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! ๐
Letโs take a look at how these percentages stack up visually. ๐
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! ๐ฎ๐ช Hereโs 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% didnโt specify their religion.
This breakdown shows how diverse Ireland's religious landscape is! ๐๐
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! ๐ 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. ๐ฃ๏ธ Irish is spoken by approximately 37.7% of the population, making it important for cultural identity. ๐ฎ๐ช๐
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! ๐ Let's take a look at who the main partners are:
- United Kingdom: 26% ๐ฌ๐ง
- United States: 16% ๐บ๐ธ
- Germany: 9% ๐ฉ๐ช
- China: 6% ๐จ๐ณ
- Netherlands: 6% ๐ณ๐ฑ
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! ๐
Total Percentage from Top Partners
63%
Ireland's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ 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. ๐ 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
๐ 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! ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ง
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)
๐ Ireland's Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) shows impressive growth over the years! Hereโs 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! ๐ช
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
๐๐ฐ 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. ๐ Hereโs what we found for the last three years:
- 2021: $114,100
- 2022: $122,600
- 2023: $115,600
What a ride! ๐ In 2022, Ireland saw an impressive increase, but in 2023, the value lightened up just a bit. What do you think will happen next? ๐ค
Real GDP per Capita in Ireland (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ 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! ๐
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
๐ 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. ๐ It's always exciting to see how populations change over time!
Population Growth Rate
0.93%
Year of Estimate
2024