????? 4-5. Politics

All about Ireland

????? 2.

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Irelandis a sovereign state in north-western Europe occupying about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The state shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom. It is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea to the south, Saint George's Channel to the south-east and the Irish Sea to the east.

????? 3. Symbols
Flag(Frequently referred to as the Irish tricolor. Government has described the symbolism behind each colour as being that of green representing the Gaelic tradition of Ireland,orange representing the followers of William of Orange in Ireland, and white representing the aspiration for peace between them. )
Coat of arms of Ireland(A gold harp with silver strings on a blue background. These arms have long been Ireland's heraldic emblem.)
Irish national anthem ?The soldier?s song?
Celtic cross(may be Saint Patric)
Shamrock(is a young sprig of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity)

????? 4-5. Politics

Ireland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. The Oireachtas is the bicameral national parliament composed of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Seanad Éireann (Senate) and Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives).

Ireland has been a member state of the European Union since 1973, but has chosen to remain outside the Schengen Area. Citizens of the United Kingdom can freely enter the country without a passport due to the Common Travel Area, which is a passport-free zone comprising the islands of Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. However, some identification is required at airports and seaports.

Local government. The twenty-six traditional counties of Ireland are not always coterminous with administrative divisions although they are generally used as a geographical frame of reference by the population of Ireland. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides for a system of thirty-one local authorities - twenty-six county councils, two city and county councils and three city councils. Below this (with the exception of the Dublin Region and the three city councils) are municipal districts, replacing a previous system of town councils. Local authorities are responsible for matters such as planning, local roads, sanitation, and libraries.

????? 6. Dublin
Dublin is one of the oldest Europe city. Dublin is in the province of Leinster on Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey. It is famous for its architecture and atmosphere. It is the capital and the largest city of Ireland. Dublin was founded as a Viking settlement. It seats the national parliament of Ireland. Dublin is also Irish cultural and economic center.

Here are some interesting places to visit in Dublin:
Dublin?s library, Irish national gallery, Monument of the light, Guinness factory, the Mansion House, the Anna Livia monument, the Molly Malone statue, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Saint Francis Xavier Church. Features of Dublin and are visible in many spots around the city.

????? 7. Religious

Religious freedom is constitutionally provided for in Ireland. Christianity is the predominant religion, with the Roman Catholic Church as the largest church. The Church of Ireland is the second largest Christian denomination. Membership declined throughout the twentieth century, but has recently experienced an increase, as have other small Christian denominations. Significant Protestant denominations are the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Church. Immigration has contributed to a growth in Hindu and Muslim populations. In percentage terms, Orthodox Christianity and Islam were the fastest growing religions, with increases of 100% and 70% respectively.

Date: 2016-06-12; view: 192