PART 2 The Republic of Ireland ire Prof

PART 2 The Republic of Ireland (Éire) Prof. Juan Pablo Duboué Iuvaro

People Although Ireland was invaded and colonized within historical times by Celts, Norsemen, Normans, English, and Scots, there are no corresponding ethnic distinctions. Ireland has always been known as a welcoming place, and diversity is not a phenomenon new to the country.

Ethnic Groups Ethnic and racial minorities make up about 12 percent of the population of Ireland—a proportion that doubled in the first decade of the 21 st century. Immigration from the rest of Europe, Africa, and Asia has been significant since the last two decades of the 20 th century. The key factors in increased immigration have been the more-open labour market provided by the European Union and the globalized nature of the contemporary Irish economy, both of which have attracted a wave of new residents.

Today Poles constitute the largest minority population in Ireland. Although they are small in number, the nomadic Travellers (“Tinkers”) are an indigenous ethnic minority group—defined by their shared customs, traditions, and language—who have lived in Ireland for centuries.

Languages and Religion The constitution provides that Irish be the first official language and English the second. All official documents are published in both Irish and English. The modern Irish language, which is very similar to Scottish Gaelic, was widely spoken up to the time of the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840 s and the subsequent emigrations. The use of Irish continued to decline even after 1922, when the language was introduced into schools.

Compulsory Irish in schools has come under some criticism from the business sector, which would prefer to see students develop more-diverse language skills. While modern society might question the utility of the language, however, it remains an important element of the Irish identity. The Celtic religion had a major influence on Ireland long before the adoption of Christianity in the 5 th century. Its precise rituals and beliefs remain somewhat obscure, but the names of hundreds of Celtic gods have survived, and elements of the religion—particularly the cults of Mary (an echo of Danu, the Earth Mother goddess of the Celts) and St. Brigit (one of Ireland’s patron saints) and several seasonal festivals—carried into the Christian period.

Patron Saint (Saint Patrick)

Since the conversion to Christianity, Roman Catholicism, with its ecclesiastical seat at Armagh in Northern Ireland, has been the island’s principal religion. After the Reformation, Catholicism became closely associated with Irish nationalism and resistance to British rule. However, church support for nationalism—both then and now—has been ambivalent. After the devastating Irish Potato Famine in the 1840 s, there was a remarkable surge in devotional support of the Catholic church, and over the next century the number of Irish priests, nuns, and missionaries grew dramatically.

Today more than four-fifths of the republic’s population is Roman Catholic Small numbers of other religious groups (including Church of Ireland Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Muslims, and Jews). There is no officially established church in Ireland, and the freedoms of conscience and religion are constitutionally guaranteed. Since the last decades of the 20 th century, Ireland has seen a significant decline in the number of regular churchgoers. The Roman Catholic Church nevertheless continues to play a prominent role in the country, including maintaining responsibility for most schools and many hospitals.

Government

There are fifteen Government Departments, each headed by a Minister. The Ministers collectively form the Government. Executive power is exercised by or on the authority of the Government, which is responsible to the (House of Representatives). The Head of the Government is the (Prime Minister). There are two Houses of Parliament, known as (House of Representatives) and (Senate).

The Courts Irish law is based on Common Law as modified by subsequent legislation and by the Constitution of 1937. In accordance with the Constitution, justice is administered in public by courts established by law. The President appoints judges on the advice of the Government. Common law (also known as judicial precedent or judge-made law or case law) is the body of law developed by judges, courts, and similar tribunals. The defining characteristic of “common law” is that it arises as precedent.

Important cities & counties

Dublin

Dublin, on the River Liffey is the capital of the Irish Republic and has a population of 600, 000. The next largest cities are Cork and Limerick in the south and Derry in the north. The earliest recorded reference to Dublin dates from A. D. 140. The name is the Irish Dubh Linn, meaning “dark pool. ” The Danes established a fort there and the Normans captured Dublin soon after they landed in Ireland in the twelfth century. In 1171, King Henry II, the Norman King of England, gave Dublin its first charter, by which it was granted the rights and privileges enjoyed by other cities of the realm.

The eighteenth century was Dublin’s most colorful period. During this time many great public buildings, fine squares and wide streets were added to the city. Unfortunately, much of the center of Dublin was destroyed during the fighting for Independence between 1916 and 1921. Today, the city is a busy modern capital, the seat of the government of the Irish Republic. Dublin is a busy seaport which handles a large part of Ireland’s trade. Probably the city’s most famous product is Guinness – a dark beer first brewed by Arthur Guinness by the side of the Liffey in 1759.

Dublin Castle, in the centre of the city, was built in the thirteenth century and is now used by the government of the Republic for various purposes and it houses the State Papers and Genealogical Office. Near this castle stands Trinity College. This university was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1591. Opposite Trinity College is the Bank of Ireland. This fine building was the Irish House of Parliament until 1800. Dublin is quite a lively city and the people take full advantage of the many opportunities for amusement. Cinema and Drama flourish in Dublin, the best known theatre is the Abbey Theatre where many world famous actors and actresses have begun their careers. Dubliners also have the Phoenix Park which has a circumference of 7 miles. It contains a zoo and open spaces with fields to play football, cricket and polo and it also houses the official residence of the President of the Republic. At present, His Excellency Michael D Higgins, elected on 29 October 2011 is the incumbent President.

Donegal

Donegal, the most northerly county of Ireland, is famous for its tweed (estilo de tejido) and for its lovely scenery. It also includes Lough Derg. On this lake is an island which for 1, 500 years has been a place of pilgrimage. Each year hundreds of people spend three days on the island, barefooted, praying and fasting – they are allowed one meal a day of black tea and dry bread. South of Donegal is the county of Sligo. The poet W. B. Yeats loved this part of the country and much of his work reflects this love. On Lough Gill is the tiny island which Yeats made famous in his poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree.

Galway

Among the best known towns is Galway is a pleasant market town, situated on the west coast of Ireland, on Galway Bay. It’s a great favourite with Irish people as a holiday centre. It had a long tradition of trading with Spain for many centuries; traces of Spanish influence may still be seen around the town. Part of County Galway is known as Connemara. This is a region of Ireland where Irish is spoken as the everyday language of the people and many of the old crafts and traditions are kept alive. It is also the original home of the famous ponies of that name.

Limerick

South of Galway is the city of Limerick, on the River Shannon. Limerick is an industrial and market town with great historical connections. The King John’s Castle which stands by the river near the city centre was erected in the thirteenth century. Modern Limerick owes much of its prosperity to the development of Shannon Airport as an international airport. This was developed soon after the Second World War as a vital link in transatlantic connections. Nowadays, due to the clever expansion of touristic attractions Shannon is again a major link in transatlantic travel. Cork is the principal city in the south of Ireland. It is a major seaport and manufacturing city. It began as a monastic settlement in the sixth century. It is beautifully situated in the valley of the River Lee.

Main Activities and Industries

Trade The main merchandise goods traded include organic chemicals (mainly for the pharmaceutical sector), medical & pharmaceutical products and computers. The main services areas are Computer Services, Trade Related Business Services and Insurance and Financial Services. Ireland’s main trading partners include the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland Japan. Trade with other markets, such as China, Russia and Mexico, is also expanding rapidly.

Agriculture Of the total land area of approximately 7 million hectares (17 million acres), 5 million hectares (12. 32 million acres) are used for agricultural purposes (including forestry). Beef and dairying are by far the most important sectors of the agricultural industry. The main crops are barley, wheat, potatoes and mushrooms.

Fishing The Irish seafood industry provides employment for over 11, 000 people. It makes a significant contribution to the economic and social fabric of the many small communities located in mainly rural areas or small towns and villages around the 3, 171 kilometres of coastline. In 2012, Irish seafood exports totalled € 493 million, an increase of 18% on the previous year.

Tourism Approximately 7 million tourists visit Ireland each year, spending approximately € 3. 4 billion, and sustaining more than 180, 000 jobs. Ireland’s successful tourism industry is built around the three themes: Irish people, Irish culture and the physical beauty of the country.

Homework: You have to read the handout: Let’s Visit Ireland sólo la parte de “The Story of Ireland” (pages 1 to 12 del PDF). We will meet this FRIDAY 21/08 to do an activity with this handout.