Moving to Ireland: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

5,233,461

Population Growth Rate

0.93%

Population Distribution

population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin

populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities

Urban Population

• population: 64.5% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

1.270 million DUBLIN (capital)

Population: Male/Female

• male: 2,590,542
• female: 2,642,919

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Age Structure

• years: 18.6% (male 498,124/female 477,848) 15-64
• years: 65.5% (male 1,701,680/female 1,728,041) 65 years and
• over: 15.8% (male 390,738/female 437,030)

Median Age

• total: 40.2 years
• male: 39.7 years
• female: 40.6 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

11

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.4

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.72

Gross reproduction rate

1

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.1%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

30.9

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.9

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.89 male(s)/female total
• population: 0.98 male(s)/female

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

5.6

Ethnic Groups

Irish 76.6%, Irish travelers 0.6%, other White 9.9%, Asian 3.3%, Black 1.5%, other (includes Arab, Roma, and persons of mixed backgrounds) 2%, unspecified 2.6%

Language Note

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 37.7% of the population as of 2022

mainly spoken in areas along Ireland's western coast known as gaeltachtai, which are officially recognized regions where Irish is the predominant language)

Nationality Noun

• noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
• adjective: Irish

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.1%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• total: 19 years
• male: 18 years
• female: 19 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 82 years
• male: 80.3 years
• female: 83.9 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

5

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

3.49

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.1%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.3%

Tobacco Use

• total: 20.8%
• male: 22.5%
• female: 19%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 10.91 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 4.92 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 2.29 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0.82 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 97% of population
• rural: 98.1% of population
• total: 97.4% of population
• unimproved: urban: 3% of population
• rural: 1.9% of population
• total: 2.6% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 97.8% of population
• rural: 99.1% of population
• total: 98.3% of population
• unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population
• rural: 0.9% of population
• total: 1.7% of population

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Economic Overview

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy.

It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002.

GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11.

Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009.

These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances.

In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP.

In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt.

In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program.

In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt.

In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up.

In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program.

Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets.

In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%.

The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing.

Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted in lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP.

In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy.

Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment.

Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States.

In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole.

The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness.

The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues and global trade pressures.

Industries

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$54,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4.8%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$447,970,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$54,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4.8%

GDP - official exchange rate

$227,500,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 47% government
• consumption: 13.2% investment in fixed
• capital: 20.3% investment in
• inventories: 0.9% exports of goods and
• services: 113.5% imports of goods and
• services: -94.9%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

1.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

24.9%

GDP by Sector- services

73.5%

Industrial Growth Rate

3%

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Inflation Rate

1.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

euro (EUR)

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

3.2%

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Labor Force

2,104,000

Unemployment Rate

14.6%

Major Industries

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices

Agriculture Products

barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products

Population Below Poverty Line

5.5%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

5%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

19%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

76%

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Annual Budget

$71,570,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

118%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-7.2%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

34.1%

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Ireland

Local - Long

none

Local - Short

Eire

Etymology- history of name

the modern Irish name "Éire" evolved from the Gaelic "Eriu," the name of the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land); the names "Ireland" in English and "Eire" in Irish are direct translations of each other

Independence

• 6 December 1921 (from the UK by the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which ended British rule)
• 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established)
• 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)

National Holiday

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D.

(most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937
• amendments: proposed as bills by Parliament; passage requires a majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, a majority vote in a referendum, and a presidential signature; amended many times, last in 2019

Legal System:

common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts by the Supreme Court

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011)
• head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo VARADKAR (since 16 December 2022)
• cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 October 2018 (next to be held no later than November 2025); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president
• election results: 2018: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president in first round; percent of vote in first round - Michael D. HIGGINS (independent) 55.8%, Peter CASEY (independent) 23.3%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 6.4%, Liadh NI RIADA (Sinn Fein) 6.4%, Joan FREEMAN (independent) 6%, Gavin DUFFY (independent) 2.2% 2011: Michael D. HIGGINS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Michael D. HIGGINS (Labor) 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 28.5%, Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin) 13.7%, Gay Mitchell (Fine Gael) 6.4%, David Norris (independent) 6.2%, Mary DAVIS (independent) 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Michael D. HIGGINS 56.8%, Sean GALLAGHER 35.5%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of: Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members indirectly elected from 5 vocational panels of nominees by an electoral college, 11 appointed by the prime minister House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (160 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; all Parliament members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: - Senate - last held early on 21-30 May 2020 (next to be held in March 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 8 February 2020 (next to be held no later than March 2025)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 35%, Fine Gael 26.7%, Green Party 6.7%, Labor Party 6.7%, Sinn Fein 6.7%, other 1.6%, independent 16.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 21, Fine Gael 16, Green Party 4, Labor Party 4, Sinn Fein 4, other 1, independent 10;
• Composition: men 36, women 24, percent of women 40% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 23.8%, Sinn Fein 23.1%, Fine Gael 21.9%, Green Party 7.5%, other 11.8%, independent 11.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 38, Sinn Fein 37, Fine Gael 35, Green Party 12, Labor Party 6, Social Democrats 6, PBPS 5, other 2, independent 19; composition as of March 2022 - men 123, women 37, percent of women 23.1%;
• Note: total Parliament percent of women 27.7%

Judicial Branch:

• office: judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; the chief justice serves in the position for 7 years; judges can serve until age 70
• subordinate courts: High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts

Regions or States:

28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Aontu [Peadar TOIBIN]
• Solidarity-People Before Profit or PBPS [collective leadership]
• Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN]
• Fine Gael [Leo VARADKAR]
• Green Party [Eamon RYAN]
• Human Dignity Alliance [Ronan MULLEN]
• Labor (Labour)
• Party Ivana BACIK]
• Right to Change or RTC [Joan COLLINS]
• Sinn Fein [Mary Lou McDONALD]
• Social Democrats [Holly CAIRNS]
• Socialist Party [collective leadership]
• The Workers' Party [collective leadership]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child citizenship by descent
• only: yes dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years

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Capital Name

Dublin

Capital - geographic coordinate

53 19 N, 6 14 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB (nonregional member)
• Australia Group
• BIS
• CD
• CE
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• EMU
• ESA
• EU
• FAO
• FATF
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IEA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IGAD (partners)
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• MINURSO
• MONUSCO
• NEA
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OECD
• OPCW
• OSCE
• Paris Club
• PCA
• PFP
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNDOF
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNIFIL
• UNOCI
• UNRWA
• UNTSO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO
• ZC

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Claire D. CRONIN (since 10 February 2022)
• Embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
• Mailing Address: 5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC 20521-5290
• Telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777
• FAX: [353] (1) 688-8056
• Email: ACSDublin@state.gov
• Website: https://ie.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Geraldine Byrne NASON (since 16 September 2022)
• Chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
• FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993
• Website: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/usa/
• Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Total Area

27,132 Square Miles 70,273 Square Kilometers

Land Area

26,596 Square Miles 68,883 Square Kilometers

Water Area

537 Square Miles 1,390 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

224 Miles 360 Kilometers

Border Countries

UK 360 km

Coastline

900 Miles 1,448 Kilometers

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Terrain

mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains

sea cliffs on the west coast

Highest Point

1,041 Meters

Highest Point Location

Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Irrigated Land

4 Square Miles 11 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

• temperate maritime
• modified by North Atlantic Current
• mild winters, cool summers
• consistently humid
• overcast about half the time

Terrain

mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains

sea cliffs on the west coast

Location

Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Total Area

27,132 Square Miles 70,273 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

UK 360 km

Environment - Current Issues

Water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation

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Exports

$113,600,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$63,100,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals

food products, animal products

Major Imports

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Top Export Partners

US 22.3%, UK 16.1%, Belgium 15.5%, Germany 7%, France 5.7%, Switzerland 4.2%

Top Import Partners

UK 39.8%, US 13%, Germany 7.8%, Netherlands 5.8%

Export Partners

US 22.3%, UK 16.1%, Belgium 15.5%, Germany 7%, France 5.7%, Switzerland 4.2%

Import Partners

UK 39.8%, US 13%, Germany 7.8%, Netherlands 5.8%

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Country Description

Ireland is a highly developed democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Safety & Security

Travelers should exercise sound personal safety practices to minimize their chance of becoming a victim of petty street crime.

Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and avoid unlighted, non-tourist areas We remind you that even demonstrations and protests intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

You should avoid the areas of such gatherings if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

You should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Travelers to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland should consult the Country Specific Information for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar for more detailed information.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom but shares a mostly unpatrolled land border with the Republic of Ireland.

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Crime

• Fraud: Crimes involving ATMs are a concern. Protect your PIN at all times and look closely at ATMs for evidence of tampering before use. Criminals have used “skimmers” on ATMs, especially in tourist areas. Skimmers are usually small electronic devices attached to the outside of an ATM to steal the ATM or credit card data. Most ATMs in Ireland now have signs or electronic warnings that advise customers to look closely at the ATM for evidence of tampering before using. Be aware that in busy areas, thieves use distraction techniques such as waiting until the PIN has been entered and then pointing to money on the ground or asking for loose change. While the ATM user is distracted, another person will quickly withdraw the cash and leave. If you are distracted in any way, cancel the transaction immediately. If the machine does not return your card, report the incident to the issuing bank right away. Internet
• scams: Online fraud scams have been reported in recent years, and travelers should verify through local authorities, family, or friends, the authenticity of any solicited or unsolicited requests for assistance. If you receive an email from family or friends requesting assistance, we advise you to try first to contact the loved one at the last known phone number and/or to verify the story/circumstances with a neutral third party you know and trust before sending any funds.You should view with skepticism any unsolicited invitations to travel to Ireland to collect winnings or an inheritance. There are no licenses or fees required when transiting Irish airports, emergency medical treatment is never withheld pending payment of fees, and hotels in Ireland will not detain guests for lack of funds without involving the police. A claim that a hospital or hotel will not let someone depart until the bill is settled is usually a sign of a scam. Visit the U.S. Department of State's website for more information on International Internet Financial Scams and how to protect yourself. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Ireland, you are subject to local laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

If you break local laws in Ireland, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

In some circumstances, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime in Ireland and also prosecutable in the United States.

Persons violating Ireland’s laws, including its tough drunk-driving rules, even unknowingly, may be arrested, imprisoned and/or deported.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Ireland are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Ireland you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Modern medical facilities and highly skilled medical practitioners are available in Ireland, but due to high demand, access to medical specialists and admissions to hospitals for certain non-life-threatening medical conditions may result in extensive waiting lists.

It is not unusual for emergency room (ER) services to be very busy or for post-treatment admissions to include a long wait (sometimes overnight) on a gurney in a hallway rather than in a shared or private room.

Over-the-counter medications of most types are available, but many U.S. brands are not.

(Ask the pharmacist about substitutes.) Some medications available over the counter in the United States may require a prescription in Ireland.

Irish pharmacists may not be able to dispense medication prescribed by U.S. physicians and may direct you to obtain a prescription from an Irish doctor before providing your required medication.

If you are traveling to Ireland and may require medical treatment while in the country, consult your personal physician prior to traveling.

A list of Irish general practitioners in each area of Ireland may be obtained from the website of the Irish College of General Practitioners.

Emergency services usually respond quickly.

Traffic Safety

Motorists drive on the left side of the road in Ireland, and road conditions can differ significantly from those in the United States.

If you do not have experience driving on the left, you should be especially cautious as tourists driving on the incorrect side of the road are the cause of several serious accidents each year.

Most intersections in Ireland use circular “roundabouts” instead of signals, and it is important that motorists pay close attention to signs and yield the right of way to those already in the roundabout.

At signals, turning on a red light is illegal; you must wait for either a full green (any direction turn permitted) or directional green light (which could be straight, left, or right) before proceeding with caution.

Most rental cars in Ireland have manual transmission; it can be difficult to find automatic transmission rental cars.

Road conditions are generally good, but once you exit the main highways, country roads are likely to be narrow, uneven, and winding.

Roads are more dangerous during the summer and on holiday weekends due to increased traffic.

Police periodically set up road blocks to check for drunk drivers.

Penalties for driving under the influence can be severe.

You may use your existing U.S. driving license in Ireland for a temporary stay; this can be for any period of time up to a maximum of one year.

Some insurance and car rental companies may request an International Driving Permit in addition to your existing driving license.

If you wish to apply for an International Driving Permit, please contact the American Automobile Association.

You are required to apply for an Irish driving license if you become a resident of Ireland.

More information on driving in Ireland can be found on U.S.

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Airports - total

40

Airports with Paved Runways

16

Railways

2,011 Miles 3,237 Kilometers

Roadways- total

59,674 Miles 96,036 Kilometers

Waterways

594 Miles 956 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes, Waterford

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Pipelines: Gas

1,334 Miles 2,147 Kilometers

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Telephones

2,047,000

Cell Phones

4,906,000

Internet Users

3,042,000

Internet Country Code

.ie

Internet Hosts

1,387,000

Broadcast Media

• Publicly-owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations
• commercial TV stations are available
• about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations
• RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations
• a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels

Telephone System

• assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
• domestic: system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas
• international: country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth stations - 81

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

26,100,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

242,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

732,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

26,350,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

5,506,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

4,522,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

373,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

9,911,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

144,000

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,858

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

62,070

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Anthem Lyrics

• seol: Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann.
• Chorus: Sinne Fianna Fáil A tá fé gheall ag Éirinn, buion dár slua Thar toinn do ráinig chugainn, Fé mhóid bheith saor. Sean tír ár sinsir feasta Ní fhagfar fé'n tiorán ná fé'n tráil Anocht a théam sa bhearna bhaoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil chun báis nó saoil Le guna screach fé lámhach na bpiléar Seo libh canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann. Cois bánta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe, Ba bhuachach ár sinsir romhainn, Ag lámhach go tréan fé'n sár-bhrat séin Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta Ba dhú chas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh Gan iompáil siar ó imirt áir, 'S ag siú l mar iad i gcoinne námhad Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann. Chorus A bhuíon nách fann d'fhuil Ghaeil is Gall, Sin breacadh lae na saoirse, Ta scéimhle 's scanradh i gcroíthe namhad, Roimh ranna laochra ár dtire. Ár dtinte is tréith gan spréach anois, Sin luisne ghlé san spéir anoir, 'S an bíobha i raon na bpiléar
• agaibh: Seo libh, canaídh Amhrán na bhFiann. Chorus

Anthem Lyrics English

Soldier's Song We'll sing song, a soldier's song, With cheering rousing chorus, As round our blazing fires we throng, The starry heavens o'er us; Impatient for the coming fight, And as we wait the morning's light, Here in the silence of the night, We'll chant a soldier's song.

Chorus: Soldiers are we whose lives are pledged to Ireland; Some have come from a land beyond the wave.

Sworn to be free, No more our ancient sire land Shall shelter the despot or the slave.

Tonight we man the gap of danger In Erin's cause, come woe or weal 'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal, We'll chant a soldier's song In valley green, on towering crag, Our fathers fought before us, And conquered 'neath the same old flag That's proudly floating o'er us.

We're children of a fighting race, That never yet has known disgrace, And as we march, the foe to face, We'll chant a soldier's song Chorus Sons of the Gael!

Men of the Pale!

The long watched day is breaking; The serried ranks of Inisfail Shall set the Tyrant quaking.

Our camp fires now are burning low; See in the east a silv'ry glow, Out yonder waits the Saxon foe, So chant a soldier's song.

Chorus