Cultural aspects
History
Ireland has been inhabited for about 7,000 years, and has been invaded and settled by the Celts, the Vikings, the Normans, the English and the Scots who have all left their mark on the history, geography, culture, language and people. Ireland got its independence in 1922 and the constitution of 1937 and the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 severed Ireland’s last formal links with Britain.
After the War of Independence in 1921, Northern Ireland had its own devolved government, controlled by the Unionist majority until 1972. From the 1980s onwards, the Irish and British governments began to work closer together to achieve peace, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The Agreement set out a framework for both communities in Northern Ireland to resolve their differences and ended decades of violence.
Ireland was admitted to the United Nations (UN) in 1955, and joined what is now the European Union (EU) in 1973.
Language
Ireland has two official languages: Irish (Gaeilge) and English. While everyone speaks English, Irish is mainly spoken in Gaelteacht (Irish speaking) areas. Irish has always been taught in schools. Today, around 41% of people who are living in Ireland can speak at least some Irish. On 1 January 2007, the Irish language became the 23rd official language of the European Union.
Culture
Ireland has a rich cultural past and present. In daily life sport, music, socializing with family, friends and colleagues, radio/TV are important activities that people enjoy.
Sport
Sport in Ireland is very important particularly the Gaelic games: Gaelic football and hurling, which are played almost exclusively in Ireland and in Irish communities abroad. Nearly all young people will play either hurling, camogie or Gaelic football, soccer or rugby in school. Golf, walking and hill walking is also popular and cycling is being promoted at the moment. Sport is very important for maintaining a good health so –in respect of this- the Irish people are doing it well.
Source: Embassy of Ireland