Ireland (Differently)

Republic of Ireland Poblacht na hÉireann Timeline: Differently
Flag Coat of arms
Motto:  “United Eire eternal”
Anthem:  The Soldier's Song
Location of Ireland in Europe
Capital (and largest city)		Dublin
Official languages		English, Irish
Religion		Roman Catholicism
Demonym(s)		Irish
Government		Unitary presidential republic
-	President	Arlene Foster
Legislature		Oireachtas
-	Upper house	Senate
-	Lower house	Congress
Establishment
-	Independence from the United Kingdom	6 December 1921
-	1922 constitution	6 December 1922
-	1937 constitution	29 December 1937
Area
-	Total	84,421 km2  32,595 sq mi
Population
-	Estimate	7.248.104
Currency		Punt

Ireland, officially the Republic of Ireland, is country occupying most of the island of Ireland off Europe's northwestern coast. The capital and largest city is Dublin, which is located on the eastern side of the island. Its surface area of 70,273 square kilometers makes it the 19th-largest country in Europe and the 87th-largest in the world. With a population of over 4.9 million inhabitants, it is the 22nd-most populous country in Europe and the 89th in the world.

Around 40% of the country's population resides in the Greater Dublin Area. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, St George's Channel to the south-east, and the Irish Sea to the east. It is a unitary, presidential republic.

History

After the Irish Easter rising of 1916 a major shift happened in the general public’s opinion on Irish stance within Great Britain in favor of Republicanism which lead to Sinn Féin winning the majority of the Irish Seats in the British Parliament in the December 1918 General election. After many protest in 1919 and 1920 Parliament came together and decided on granting Ireland the status of Domion with Michael Collins as the First Governor General and George VIII as its monarch.

During the Polish-German War the Irish held a referendum if they should take full part which was supported by 67% of the populace. However most Irishmen that were drafted couldn’t finish training and get on the front line before the war had finished.

Michael Collins, the first Governor-General served from 1922 until his assassination by Alexander Graham Henderson, a mentally ill British man who believed if he killed Collins Ireland would return to Britain and he’d be made Lord of Ireland in 1965. The Governor-Generalship was then reformed and they first elections were held in 1966.

Ireland’s time in the status quo as a dominion in the Commonwealth was prosperous as religious and political wounds healed and united the Irish people and improved such things as education, healthcare, pensions and infrastructure. In 2014 when Scotland won their independence referendum the Scots also had a second referendum on if they should become a dominion or gain full independence. The Irish decided to do the same and the Monarchy was thrown out by 55% just in time for the Governor-Generalship could be renamed the Presidency for the 2014 election.

Government

The current President of Ireland Arlene Foster.

Ireland is a presidential republic, with an elected executive president as head of state and chief of government. The role of Chancellor (formerly President) is an honorary role, the President appoints a Chancellor which is often the longest serving member of either house who then serves for 2 years. The Republic of Ireland consists of 4 states and each state has a Governor and a local legislature. There is also the special administrative region of Dublin which is governed by a Lord-Mayor chosen annually by a 7 person council, four civilian elected and 3 religious leaders representative, A Catholic, a Protestant and a Jew although only the civilian councilors can serve as Lord-Mayor.

Administrative Regions

Name	Capital	Population	Form of Government
Leinster	Dundalk	1.406.870	Federal State
Ulster	Belfast	2,105,666	Federal State
Connacht	Galway	550,742	Federal State
Munster	Cork	1,280,020	Federal State
Dublin	Dublin	1,904,806	Free City

Association Football

Football is a massively popular game in Ireland and naturally there is a national league. It’s named “The Irish Championship.” The Irish footballing pyramid consists of 3 upper national tiers and below them are 2 regional leagues for each state with Dublin taking part of Leinster’s league. The top 2 teams at the end of the season take part in UEFA’s Champions League and the third place and winner of the National cup take part in the Europa League. The National Cup is the domestic knockout tournament in Irish Football and the current champions are Cork. The current champions are Galway United. In 1997 a footballing upset took place as Shamrock Rovers won the Europa League after winning each of their games 1-0.

Political Parties

Although the President is elected independently the same isn’t for both Houses of Parliament. Since the turn of the century Ireland has been with the times both fiscally and socially. Ireland has four major parties and 2 minor parties which have seats in the Congress but the four major parties were boiled down to 2 for the Senate.

Senate

Labor have controlled the Senate since 2012

The Senate is the upper house of Ireland which are elected to 4 year terms and have no term limits. The Senate approves the Cabinet, the High Courts, Vacancies and budgets. There are 2 major parties there:

• Labor Party: The United product of the Liberal parties which promotes worker’s rights and a higher budget along with higher taxation and for those taxes to be found in the higher class.
• Conservative party: The representatives of the Irish Conservative Parties which promote laissez faire economic policies and family values on the social spectrum.

Congress

Unlike the Senate the congressional elections are held on an irregular basis. The 6 parties that hold seats in congress are split into 2 parts, Major and Minor.

Major

• Progressive Party: A Liberal Party founded in 1930 and has promoted the advancement of Social Policies in Ireland as well as the protection of the National Healthcare.
• Democratic Party: A Conservative Party founded in 1922 and has stood for lower taxes, Lower spending and the spreading of traditional Irish family values.
• Centrists Party: The Central Party supports the status quo of Ireland being with the times but not ahead of it and keeping the welfare systems but not expansion of it. It is the newest party being founded in 1983.
• Christian Liberal Party: A Libertarian Party which supports the welfare system of the Progressive Party but wants to keep the traditional Family Values of the Conservatives. The Party was founded in 1966 in protest of the election of Chaim Herzog as Governor-General.

Minor

• The Syndicates: A Socialist Party which supports the Trade Unions and wants to push for the abolition of the traditional Government. It was founded in 1940.
• The National Front: A Nationalist Party which promotes the expulsion of non-Celtic people and an absolute Head of State. The Party was founded in 1959.

The Chancellery

List of Chancellors of Ireland