Ireland, officially the Republic of Ireland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, occupying the majority of the island of Ireland. It shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, to the northeast. Its other sides are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Celtic Sea to the south, and the Irish Sea to the east. Dublin, located on the east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey, is the capital and largest city, serving as the nation's political, economic, and cultural hub. Ireland's geography is characterized by a central low-lying plain surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains, with a temperate oceanic climate influenced by the Atlantic.
History and Political Landscape (as of mid-2025):
Ireland's history is marked by centuries of British rule, culminating in its independence in 1922, though a civil war followed over the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It became a republic in 1949. Modern Ireland is a parliamentary ireland mobile numbers list republic with a president as head of state and a Taoiseach (Prime Minister) as head of government. Ireland is a long-standing member of the European Union, which has been instrumental in its economic transformation.
As of early to mid-2025, Ireland is governed by a grand coalition between the center-right Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties, along with the Green Party. Simon Harris (Fine Gael) took office as Taoiseach in April 2024, succeeding Leo Varadkar. The next general election is constitutionally required by March 2025 but could be called earlier. Recent local and European elections (mid-2024) indicated a rise in support for the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parties, while Sinn Féin, which had previously topped opinion polls, saw its support slightly dip. This suggests a potentially tighter race in the upcoming general election. Key political issues include housing shortages, the cost of living crisis, immigration, and healthcare waiting lists.
Culture and Demographics:
Irish is the national language and official language, alongside English, which is the most commonly spoken language. The population of Ireland is estimated at around 5.2 million in mid-2025, with a growing number of immigrants making it a more diverse society. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, but there is a significant and growing non-religious segment and various Protestant denominations. Irish culture is globally renowned for its rich literary tradition (Yeats, Joyce, Beckett), vibrant traditional music, folk dancing, storytelling, and a deep sense of community and hospitality. Pub culture plays a central role in social life.
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