Ireland

In brief

Ireland is a country in Northern Europe. Its capital is Dublin. With 5.5 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 120th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 70,273 km². It shares land borders with the United Kingdom.

GDP per capita stands at $131,592 (2025), 4th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 83 years (2024). 65% of the population lives in cities.

History of Ireland

A Celtic land converted to Christianity in the 5th century, notably by Saint Patrick, Ireland suffered Viking raids and, from 1169, the Anglo-Norman invasion that began centuries of English and then British rule. The Great Famine (1845-1849) killed about a million people and drove as many into exile. After the 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence, the 1921 treaty created the Irish Free State, while Northern Ireland remained British. The country became a republic in 1949 and joined the European Community in 1973.

Geography of Ireland

Ireland covers most of the island of the same name. A central plain dotted with lakes and peat bogs is ringed by coastal mountains. The Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles; Carrauntoohil (1,039 m) is the highest point.

Map of Ireland

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Flag of Ireland

The flag of Ireland is white, green and orange. Its official proportions are 1:2 (height to width).

• Green33%
• White33%
• Orange33%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Green, white and orange: green stands for the Gaelic and Catholic tradition, orange for the Protestants, historic supporters of William of Orange, and white for peace between them. It was first presented in 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Republic of Ireland” and “Flag of Ireland”.

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Fact file

Economy and society