Ireland
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• Geography • History
• Politics
• Economy
• Culture
• Advice for conversation
Geography
Ireland is a small island off the northwest cost of Great Britain, divided from Scotland by a narrow strait of water.
The Parliament or Dail enacts all legislation for the country. This legislation is interpreted by a hierarchy of courts. At the bottom of this ladder is the District Court. The next rung is represented by the Circuit Court, which tries more serious cases. The next rung on the ladder is called the High Court. The High Court has full jurisdiction and determining power in all matters of law or fact. The Supreme Court is the court of final appeal.
• The Celts
The Celts were commonly thought to have come to Ireland as early as the 6th century BC, with subsequent groups arriving up to the time of Christ. The Celts had deep influence on Ireland. Among all the legacies of the Celts, it is their language that has proved the most lasting. Along with the language, the Celts also brought an instrument of social and cultural unity and a legal system to the island.
• Early Modern Period
In 1541, Henry Ⅷ declared himself king of Ireland---the first English monarch to do so.
Queen ElizabethⅠcontinued and amplified her father’s Irish campaigns. When her army defeated the Irish at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, the native political system was overthrown and, for the first time, the entire island was controlled by a strong English central government. Because of the repressive policies of the English administration, the English Protestantism was resisted in Ireland.
• The Middle Ages
From around 800 onwards Vikings marauders attacked Ireland, as well as England. The Vikings were great traders and did much to develop commerce in medieval Ireland. The 11th and 12th centuries are often regarded as a period of progress in Ireland. Cultural activity in the arts prospered. It was a great era of religious reform and a powerful effort was made to bring the church more fully into line with Roman Catholic orthodoxy. The Normans arrived in 1167—1169. In 1171, the Normans’ overlord, Henry Ⅱ, the king of England, managed to establish himself as overlord of the Ireland.
It is thought that a second wave of people reached Ireland around 1200 BC. They are still nameless, but built on the achievements of the present inhabitants.
• Modern Ireland
The great famine took place in 1845—1848. By 1851,the population had been reduced by at least 2 million due to starvation, disease, and emigration to Britain and North America. The shadow of the famine and the English indifference or even cruelty led to campaigns for national independence and land reform in the latter half of the 19th century.
• The 18th Century
In 1782 the Irish parliament was granted independence. Ireland was a separate kingdom sharing a monarch with England, although the Dublin administration was still appointed by the king. The French revolution of 1789 had a profound impact on Ireland. Following the slogans of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” the Society of the Union Irishmen was founded in 1791 to press for radical reform. A famous revolt was initiated in 1798 by the United Irishmen, but was easily suppressed. Then the Irish parliament, regarded as an unrepresentative assembly, was induced to vote itself out of existence in 1800.
When the new English republic was established under Oliver Cromwell, he took such drastic measures to crush the rebellion on Irish soil that the massacres of his parliamentary army are still recalled today.
• The climate is perfect for many domestic animals (such as cows and horses) and for growing grass.
History
• Pre-history
The earliest settlers arrived around 7000 BC in the middle stone age period.
• The coming of Christianity
Christianity was introduced into Ireland some time in the 5th century. Traditionally, it was said to have been brought by Saint Patrick. Although there were some Christians in Ireland before Patrick's arrival, by the time of his death in 461 AD, the whole island was effectively Christian.
• The Republic of Ireland is in total 70,282 square kilometers • Population : 4,203,200 ( July,2009 ) • A ring of coastal mountains surround low plains at the centre of the island. • Ireland has a mild but changeable oceanic climate with few extremes.