Ireland

Ireland capital city • Dublin is the largest city and capital of Ireland. It is officially

known in Irish as Baile Átha Cliath or Áth Cliath the English name comes from the Irish Dubh Linn meaning "black pool". It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it evolved into the Kingdom of Dublin and became the island's primary city following the Norman invasion. Today, it is ranked 23rd (down from 10th in 2008) in the Global Financial Centres Index, has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city, and is listed by the GaWC as a global city, with a ranking of Alpha - which places Dublin amongst the top 25 cities in the world. Dublin is a historical and contemporary cultural centre for the island of Ireland as well as a modern centre of education, the arts, administrative function, economy and industry.

Geography: Landscape and rivers

• The island of Ireland extends over 84,421 km2 (32,595 sq mi), of which 83% (approx. five-sixths) belong to the Irish state (70,280 km2/27,135 sq mi), while the remainder constitute Northern Ireland. It is bounded to the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by the North Channel. To the east is found the Irish Sea which reconnects to the ocean via the southwest with St George's Channel and the Celtic Sea. The west coast of Ireland mostly consists of cliffs, hills and low mountains (the highest point being Carrauntoohil at 1,038 m or 3,406 ft).

President • . The President of Ireland is the head

of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms.The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute discretion. The office was established by the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. The President's official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. The current office-holder is Mary McAleese who took office on 11 November 1997

Type of government • Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state

with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. The current president is Mary McAleese, who is serving her second term after having succeeded President Mary Robinson--the first instance worldwide where one woman has followed another as an elected head of state. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body. On the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) advice, the president also dissolves the Oireachtas (Parliament).

Climate • Dublin has a maritime temperate climate, and less

rainfall than the rest of the 'emerald isle', although winters are still very soggy and damp and showers are common all year round. The wettest month, December, averages 76mm of rainfall. Summers in Dublin are cool and pleasant, temperatures in July peaking at around 68°F (20°C), the most sunshine being experienced in May and June. Winters, apart from being wet, are mild with the mercury rarely dropping to freezing point. Snow is unlikely, the main precipitation being rain, but a few flurries can occur.

Culture • Ireland's culture comprises elements of the culture of

ancient immigration and influences (such as Gaelic culture) and more recent Anglicization and Americanization as well participation in a broader European culture. In broad terms, Ireland is regarded as one of the Celtic nations of Europe, which also includes Scotland, Wales and Brittany. The unique combination of Ireland's cultural influences is visible most readily in the intricate designs termed Irish interlace or Celti knotwork. These can be seen in the ornamentation of medieval religious and secular works. The style is still is popular today in jewelry and graphic art, as is the distinctive style of traditional Irish music and dance, and has become indicative of modern "Celtic" culture in general.

Music

• Ireland is known for its traditional music and song, in origin going back hundreds of years but still played throughout the country. Among the best-known modern performers are groups such as The Dubliners, The Chieftains, Clannad and Altan, singers such as Christy Moore and Mary Black, ensembles such as Anúna and Celtic Woman and cross-over artists such as singers Enya and Sinéad O'Connor. Built upon this tradition is the dance company Riverdance.

Literature

• James Joyce published his most famous work Ulysses, an interpretation of the Odyssey set in Dublin, in 1922. Edith Somerville continued writing after the death of her partner Martin Ross in 1915. Dublin's Annie M. P. Smithson was one of several authors catering for fans of romantic fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. After the war popular novels were published by, among others, Brian O'Nolan, who published as Flann O'Brien, Elizabeth Bowen, Kate O'Brien. In the last few decades of the 20th century Edna O'Brien, John McGahern, Maeve Binchy, Joseph O'Connor, Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín and John Banville came to the fore as novelists.

Cinema • The flourishing Irish film industry, state-supported by Bord

Scannán na hÉireann, helped launch the careers of directors Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan, and supported Irish films such as John Crowley's Intermission, Neil Jordan's Breakfast on Pluto, and others. A policy of tax breaks and other incentives has also attracted international film to Ireland, including Mel Gibson's Braveheart and Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. Maureen O'Sullivan is considered by many to be Ireland's first film star. Other Irish actors who have made it to Hollywood include Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Day Lewis (by citizenship), Colm Meaney, Colin Farrell, Brenda Fricker, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Stuart Townsend, Michael Gambon, and Cillian Murphy.

Famous people Enya:

• Enya, is an Irish vocalist, instrumentalist and composer. She began her musical career in 1980, when she briefly joined her family band Clannad, before leaving to pursue her solo career. Her album Watermark, which was released in 1988, propelled her to international recognition and Enya became known for her unique sound, which was characterized by voice-layering, folk melodies, synthesized backdrops and ethereal reverberations

Famous people Riverdance:

• Riverdance was first performed during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest on April 30, 1994. It received a standing ovation. At Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest it was voted the most popular interval act in the history of the contest.

• This first performance featured Irish Dancing Champions Jean Butler & Michael Flatley, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Celtic choral group Anúna with a score written by Bill Whelan. Whelan had also composed "Timedance" — an early version of "Riverdance" — for the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Planxty. Most of the show's choreography was done by Flatley, although this responsibility now lies with Nelson Onakoya.

Photo gallery

Dublín’s castle Enya’s castle

Rock circles in Ireland

National flag National flower