| Republic of Ireland Poblacht na hÉireann Timeline: Differently | ||||||
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| Motto: “United Eire eternal” |
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| Anthem: The Soldier's Song |
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 Location of Ireland in Europe
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| 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 |
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| 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
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.
| Name | Capital | Population | Form of Government |
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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 |
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 one nil.
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