Irelands

Irelands is not a formal political term. In some contexts it is used informally to refer to the island of Ireland and, when distinguishing political units, to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The plural form appears mainly in historical or broad geographic discussions rather than in official usage.

Geography and divisions: The island lies to the west of Great Britain and covers about 84,000 square kilometers. The Republic of Ireland comprises 26 counties and occupies most of the island’s southern and western portion. Northern Ireland consists of 6 counties in the northeast and is part of the United Kingdom. Together they encompass 32 historic counties.

Demographics: The island is home to roughly seven million people. About 5.1 million live in the Republic, and around 1.9 million reside in Northern Ireland.

Politics and economy: The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign parliamentary democracy with a president largely serving a ceremonial role and a prime minister (Taoiseach) as head of government; it uses the euro and has been an EU member since 1973. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and has a devolved government and legislature; its currency is the pound sterling. The island features diversified economies with strong services, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture, and its trade relations are influenced by EU and UK frameworks.

History and culture: The region has Gaelic roots and a long history of external influence, including English rule and partition in the early 20th century. The Republic was established as a sovereign state in 1949. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 facilitated peace and power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Cultural contributions include language revival efforts, literature, music, and sport, reflecting a shared island heritage alongside distinctive national identities.

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