Ireland: An Introduction to Ireland - Part 1
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Useful background information
Leprachauns, fairies and the little people, Guinness, the Emerald Isle of rolling, empty countryside, Five Nations rugby and traffic-free lanes where you are more likely to encounter a herd of cows rather than a queue of cars. These clichéd images of Ireland sell Ireland far short of its reality. [Though within every stereotype runs a truism too!]
The Republic of Ireland has, over the past decade, completely overturned its old image as one of the 'poor men' of Europe. It has now become one of the most forward looking European countries with a new outlook and an economic system which has undergone a dramatic revolution. As a consequence, Ireland has become a magnet for inward investment both in terms of finance and people. There is an influx of Irish 'coming home'-- both retired people who were forced, for economic reasons, to leave their homeland to find work in the UK, America, Australia, Canada and other countries and now a new generation of Irish 'children' who are returning to the homeland that their parents always cherished. The country is also very attractive now to those without family connections to Ireland who fall in love with the beauty and pace of life of the country.
In geographical terms, Ireland is a small country of about 69,000 sq km [26,600 sq miles] of land and 1,400 sq km [530 sq miles] of inland water. The Gulf stream exercises a benign influence, keeping the island wonderfully temperate and allowing a wide range of plants to thrive. Ireland's 3,200km [2000 miles] of coastline ensure that no point is more than 115km [70 miles] from the sea. During winter, average temperatures are between 4 and 7oC rising to 14-16oC in July and August [but can reach 25oC. The sunniest period [important for planning holidays in Ireland!] is May to June where the average is 5-7 hours of sunshine per day. And yes, of course, the rain is legendary in Ireland [don't go out without waterproof gear!]. It rains roughly twice as much in the west of the country than it does in the east as rain laden clouds from the Atlantic meet the Irish landmass and unload themselves. It's not so much the quantity of rain as the frequency that has led to poetic effusions over the 'emerald isle' and the softness of the scenery through a fine mist-- thus the Irish phrase 'i'ts a soft day when it drizzles!'
Ireland has an estimated population of just over 3.7 million at the end of the 1990s with 57% of those living in urban areas, mostly in Dublin. In contrast to other European countries, Ireland seems remarkably empty, adding to the attractiveness of unspoilt countryside and peace and quiet. However, Government regional development plans are encouraging businesses to move out to the likes of Galway, Cork, Sligo, Donegal and Waterford, so many of these cities are seeing significant urban expansion and development.
Ireland has a rocky historical past. Ireland's recorded history starts with an invasion and invasion has become a constant theme in the Irish psyche ever since. The first, mythical invasion was that recounted in the ancient Leabar Gabala or Book of Invasions, the arrival of Heremon, Hiber and Ir, the three sons of Mileadh of Spain at the time of Alexander the Great. Then came the Celts in the fourth century BC from mainland Europe. The Celts ruled Ireland at a time when Christianity arrived with St Patrick in 432 AD and were still there when the Norsemen invaded. They founded such cities as Dublin, Cork and Limerick and were followed closely by the Anglo Normans who first set foot in County Wexford in 1169 AD. This landing heralded seven and a half centuries of successive Norman, English, then British involvement in Ireland which should have ended in 1921 on the creation of an Irish Free State.
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