Ireland was first inhabited 9000 years ago. Ireland is also referred to as the Emerald Isle due to its wealthy, verdant, and green landscape. Ireland is a land of contradictions. To the west, its ocean coast features towering sea cliffs, powder-soft beaches, medieval castles, historic villages, and desolately gorgeous islands where locals continue to practice ancient customs.
The midlands contain less-visited towns and winding blue trails that follow the course of the River Shannon through a lush, verdant landscape. Dublin and Belfast, to the east and north, are the cultural centers of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is annually observed in mid-March as a commemoration of all things Irish. The date commemorates the demise of Saint Patrick, who is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland.
Ireland lacks local police departments. Established in 1922, the Guardians of the Peace are a nationwide force led by a commissioner who reports to the minister of justice. A few hundred members of the force are assigned to detective duties; they typically wear plainclothes and are armed when necessary. The remaining members of the force are uniformed and do not bear weapons. Under the general supervision of the Department of Health and Children, eight regional health committees are responsible for the administration of health services. Everyone has access to free health exams, child welfare clinics, and treatment for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. Children's allowances are provided to all households, regardless of income, for each child under 16 years of age.
Dublin is Ireland's capital city, with a population of around 1.1 million people. Ireland's population (in 2012) was 4.58 million in the Republic and 1.8 million in Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland occupies five-sixths of Ireland, the second biggest island in the British Isles. The term "Irish" refers to the population of the country, as well as its national culture and language.
Ireland is located in Europe's far west, in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the island of Great Britain. North to south, the island is 302 miles (486 kilometers) long and 174 miles (280 kilometers) wide at its widest point. The Irish Sea, the North Channel, and Saint George's Channel divide it from its neighboring island of Great Britain to the east. The climate is temperate maritime, with the North Atlantic Current influencing it. Winters in Ireland are mild, and summers are cool. The climate is consistently humid due to the significant precipitation.
Dublin has long been recognized as the core of Ireland's oldest Anglophone and British-oriented area; the area surrounding the city has been referred to as the "English Pale" since medieval times. Dublin workers' flag "The Plough and the Stars."
Universities, technical colleges, and education institutions are examples of third-level education. All are self-governing, but the state provides the majority of their funding. Approximately half of all youth attend some type of third-level education, with half pursuing degrees. Ireland's universities are world-renowned, including the University of Dublin (Trinity College), the National University of Ireland, the University of Limerick, and Dublin City University. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there are presently roughly 182 languages spoken in homes throughout the country, in addition to English and Irish.
When it comes to high-value foreign direct investment (FDI), Ireland is unrivaled as an open economy. According to the IMF, Ireland has the second highest GDP per capita in the world, out of 192 countries, while the World Bank rates it fourth, out of 187 countries. In 2019, the individual income tax will account for 8.1% of GDP and will have contributed 50% to federal revenues since 1950. In 2016, 62.9% of Irish gross income came from wages and salaries, 11.9% from self-employment, and 6.5% from government pensions. The annual income of more than half of all households was less than €60,000. Family's Total Annualized Gross Income The Share of Irish Families Having no source of funding 1.5 €1 - €20,000 17.8 €20,000 - €40,000 25.7 €40,000 - €60,000 19.1.