# Ireland

> sovereign state in Northwestern Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q27](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ireland

## Summary

Ireland is a country in Europe[1][2]. Its official languages are Irish and English. The head of state is Catherine Connolly[3].It has a population of 5.1M (2022)[4]. The area of the nation is 70k[5].

## Summary

Ireland (officially known as Éire) is a sovereign state and island country located in Northwestern Europe. It succeeded the Irish Free State on December 29, 1937, and today functions as a unitary parliamentary republic with a population of over 5.1 million people. The nation is a member of the European Union and the United Nations, with Dublin serving as its capital and largest urban area.

## Key Facts

- **Official Names:** Ireland, Éire
- **Entity Type:** Sovereign state, island country, unitary state, republic
- **Location:** Northwestern Europe; geographic coordinates approximately 53°N, 8°W
- **Capital City:** Dublin
- **Total Area:** 69,797 square kilometers
- **Population:** 5,149,139 (Census, April 2022)
- **Official Languages:** Irish and English
- **Currency:** Euro (adopted January 1, 1999); previously Irish Pound (until January 1, 2002)
- **National Anthem:** Amhrán na bhFiann
- **Government:** Republic; Executive body is the Government of Ireland; Legislative body is the Oireachtas; Highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Ireland
- **Head of Government (Taoiseach):** Micheál Martin (term began January 23, 2025)
- **Head of State:** President of Ireland (office held by Catherine Connolly starting November 11, 2025)
- **Formation:** Succeeded the Irish Free State on December 29, 1937
- **EU Membership:** Joined January 1, 1973
- **UN Membership:** Joined December 14, 1955
- **Time Zone:** Greenwich Mean Time (UTC±00:00)
- **Driving Side:** Left
- **Internet Top-Level Domain:** .ie
- **ISO 3166 Codes:** Alpha-2: IE; Alpha-3: IRL; Numeric: 372
- **Telephone Country Code:** +353

## FAQs

**What international organizations is Ireland a member of?**
Ireland is a member of numerous international bodies, most notably the European Union (joined 1973) and the United Nations (joined 1955). It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

**What languages are spoken in Ireland?**
The official languages are Irish and English. Hiberno-English is spoken as a first language by approximately 3.75 million people, while Irish is spoken natively by a smaller population, alongside Shelta and Irish Sign Language.

**What is the political structure of Ireland?**
Ireland is a unitary parliamentary republic. It consists of 26 counties grouped into four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster. The head of government is the Taoiseach, while the head of state is the President of Ireland.

**What are the demographic trends in Ireland?**
As of the 2022 census, the population is approximately 5.15 million. The country has a high Human Development Index (0.945 as of 2021) and a life expectancy of 83 years. The age of majority is 18 years.

**Where is Ireland located geographically?**
Ireland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, located in Northwestern Europe. It shares a land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Its coordinates range from approximately 51.4°N to 55.4°N latitude and 5.9°W to 10.7°W longitude.

## Why It Matters

Ireland serves as a significant sovereign entity within the European political landscape, acting as a bridge between the European Union and the English-speaking world. Its historical trajectory from the Irish Free State to a modern republic represents a key case study in decolonization and national sovereignty. As a high-income economy with a nominal GDP of over $529 billion (USD, 2022), Ireland plays a critical role in the global technology and pharmaceutical sectors. Culturally, it exports a distinct heritage through its literature, music, and language, with Irish being one of the official languages of the EU. Its diplomatic relations span major global powers, including the United States, China, and Russia, and it maintains a policy of military neutrality while participating in peacekeeping and international regulatory bodies like the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

## Notable For

- **High Human Development:** Consistently ranks as a "full democracy" with a Democracy Index score of 9.19 (2024), ranking 8th globally.
- **Economic Status:** High-income economy with one of the highest GDP per capita rates in the EU.
- **Neutrality:** A militarily neutral state that is a member of the EU but not NATO, though it participates in the Nordic Battle Group.
- **Linguistic Heritage:** One of the few sovereign states with a Celtic language (Irish) as a national and official language.
- **Geographic Extremes:** Home to Carrauntoohil, the highest peak (1,041 meters), and the North Slob, the lowest point (-3 meters).
- **Historical Transition:** Direct successor to the Irish Free State, having adopted its current constitution in 1937.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Ireland is a sovereign state situated in the continent of Europe, specifically in the Northwestern region. It is an island country defined by its distinct territorial boundaries. The nation's coordinates are centered approximately at latitude 53 and longitude -8. Its northernmost point is located at 55.38°N, -7.37°W, and its southernmost point at 51.42°N, -9.51°W. The easternmost point is 52.97°N, -6.00°W, and the westernmost is 52.07°N, -10.67°W. The total area covers 69,797 square kilometers.

The country's physical geography includes its highest point, Carrauntoohil, which stands at 1,041 meters. Its lowest point is the North Slob, situated at -3 meters below sea level. Ireland shares a border with the United Kingdom, specifically the land border with Northern Ireland, a relationship defined by the Ireland–United Kingdom border.

### History and Formation
The modern state of Ireland succeeded the Irish Free State on December 29, 1937. Prior to this, the Irish Free State was established in 1922, following the period of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Earlier historical incarnations of the entity on the island include the Lordship of Ireland (inception 1177). The state operates under a constitution with an official name of "Ireland" or "Éire," as referenced in the Irish Statute Book. The country adopted the Gregorian calendar on September 14, 1752, replacing the Julian calendar.

### Governance and Politics
Ireland functions as a unitary parliamentary republic. The executive body is the Government of Ireland. The legislative power is vested in the Oireachtas, while the highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Ireland.

The head of state is the President of Ireland. As of November 11, 2025, the office is held by Catherine Connolly. The head of government is the Taoiseach. The recent succession of Taoisigh includes Micheál Martin (2020–2022), Leo Varadkar (2022–2024), Simon Harris (2024–2025), and Micheál Martin again starting January 23, 2025. The country operates a retirement age of 66 years and has an age of majority and marriageable age set at 18 years.

The nation is divided into 26 administrative counties, which are components of the class "county of Ireland." These counties include: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow. These counties are grouped into the provinces of Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster.

### International Relations and Membership
Ireland is a founding member or active participant in a vast array of international organizations.

- **European Integration:** A member of the European Union (joined January 1, 1973) and the European Economic Community (1973–1993). It is part of the European Economic Area and uses the euro currency. Ireland holds 14 seats in the European Parliament starting in 2024.
- **Global Bodies:** A member of the United Nations (joined December 14, 1955), the World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization.
- **Security and Defense:** While not a NATO member, Ireland is part of the Nordic Battle Group, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (joined June 25, 1973), and maintains diplomatic relations with nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia. It has been a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- **Other Organizations:** Membership includes the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Council of Europe, European Space Agency, Interpol (founder member since 1947), UNESCO (joined 1961), and various international financial institutions like the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Diplomatic relations are maintained with countries across the globe, including Italy, France, Germany, Ukraine, Canada, Australia, and the Holy See.

### Economy and Demographics
The economy of Ireland is robust, with a nominal GDP of $529,244,870,223 USD (2022). The currency is the euro, which replaced the Irish pound on January 1, 1999. The standard VAT rate is 23%. Key economic indicators include:
- **Unemployment Rate:** 4.48% (2022).
- **Inflation/Prices:** Mains voltage is 230V at 50Hz; electrical plug type is BS 1363.

Demographically, the population has grown to 5,149,139 as of the 2022 census. The male population is recorded at 2,541,063 and the female population at 2,586,107 (2022). The urban population stands at 3,290,772, while the rural population is 1,836,398.
- **Health:** Life expectancy is 83 years (2022). The suicide rate is 8.9 (2019).
- **Development:** The Human Development Index is 0.945 (2021), and the inequality-adjusted HDI is 0.886. The Democracy Index score is 9.19 (2024), ranking it as a "full democracy."
- **Birth and Death:** The birth rate is 11.2 (2022), and the death rate is 6.9 (2022).
- **Fertility:** The total fertility rate was estimated at 1.96 in 2014.
- **Education:** The number of out-of-school children was 6,033 in 2015.

### Society and Culture
The culture is defined as the "culture of the Republic of Ireland." The official languages are Irish and English. Hiberno-English is spoken as a first language by 3.75 million people. Demonyms for citizens include "Irish," "Éireannach," and various forms in other languages (e.g., "Iren" in German plural masculine, "Irlandaise" in French feminine singular).

The national anthem is "Amhrán na bhFiann." A tourism slogan used is "Jump into Ireland." The country celebrates its national day via its patron saint (St. Patrick), though the specific date is not listed in the provided properties. The state maintains an active social media presence with over 44,000 followers on its government Twitter account (@IrelandGov) as of 2022.

### Infrastructure and Technology
Ireland utilizes a left-hand driving system for both road and rail traffic. The telephone country code is +353, with a trunk prefix of 0. The mobile country code is 272. The top-level internet domain is .ie. The nation is a hub for various online databases and news platforms, including:
- **An Bunachar Náisiúnta Beathaisnéisí Gaeilge:** Irish-language biographies database (inception 2011).
- **RTÉ.ie:** Website of the national broadcaster (inception 1996).
- **Irish Statute Book:** Legal website.
- **Independent.ie:** News website.
- **Geological Maps:** A website covering geological history for the island.

### Symbols and Identifiers
The national flag is the "flag of Ireland." The coat of arms is the "Coat of arms of Ireland." The nation is identified by various codes:
- **ISO Codes:** IE, IRL, 372.
- **IOC Code:** IRL.
- **License Plate Code:** IRL (current), formerly EIR.
- **UNDP Code:** IRE.
- **UN M49 Code:** 372.
- **Locational Identifiers:** GeoNames ID 2963597; OpenStreetMap Relation ID 62273.

### External Resources and Data
Ireland is extensively cataloged in global knowledge bases and encyclopedias, including:
- **Wikidata:** Sovereign state entity.
- **Encyclopedias:** Encyclopædia Britannica, The Catholic Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia.
- **Libraries:** Library of Congress (n79063445), Bibliothèque nationale de France (11864622v), National Library of Israel.
- **Academic Databases:** VIAF, ISNI, GND, ORCID, UMLS.
- **Government Data:** Open data portal at data.gov.ie; official websites gov.ie and ireland.ie.

## References

1. [Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Micheal-Martin)
2. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html)
3. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/ireland)
4. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/11/catherine-connolly-sworn-in-as-ireland-president-on-day-of-pomp-and-celebration)
5. BnF authorities
6. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/1326157416851016710006/#Irlandia)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. OpenStreetMap
9. Lingua Libre
10. [Source](http://mtcr.info/partners/)
11. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
12. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Europe/IRELAND)
13. [Nuclear Suppliers Group](http://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/en/participants1)
14. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
15. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/ireland)
16. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
17. [International Energy Agency](https://www.iea.org/countries/membercountries/)
18. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
19. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
20. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=153)
21. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
22. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/ireland)
23. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
24. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
25. [Source](https://holocaustremembrance.com/countries/ireland)
26. [Source](https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements)
27. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
28. Nationalencyklopedin
29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
30. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
31. FIPS 10-4
32. MusicBrainz
33. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
34. [Source](https://www.cso.ie/en/csolatestnews/pressreleases/2023pressreleases/pressstatementcensusofpopulation2022-summaryresults/)
35. World Bank Open Data
36. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
37. [Source](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ireland)
38. [CVCE.eu](https://www.cvce.eu/en/obj/changes_in_the_distribution_of_seats_in_the_european_parliament-en-e6d28948-3fa8-4fe7-a552-1b062bc6fb47.html)
39. [European Council Decision (EU) 2023/2061 of 22 September 2023 establishing the composition of the European Parliament. European Parliament](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2061/oj)
40. [Constitution of Ireland](http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html#part2)
41. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
42. [Source](https://www.ui.se/landguiden/lander-och-omraden/europa/Irland/)
43. The National Terminology Database for Irish
44. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
45. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
46. [Source](https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/key-facts-and-figures/life-eu_en)
47. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
49. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
50. BabelNet