Ireland

December 5, 2012

• Island• Capital: Dublin

– 1 million• Total Population: 4 million• Other cities: Galway, Cork• President: Michael D. Higgins

– Elected by people– 7 year term– Max of 2 terms

• Prime Minister: Enda Kenny– Called Taoiseach– Not elected – Head of highest political

party • Language

– Most speak English, BUT…– Irish taught in schools

• 88% Roman Catholic (Ireland)– Northern Ireland (Protestant)– Reason for Civil War and Northern

Ireland creating own country

• Euro• Life expectancy: 77• 99% literacy rate• No death penalty• Guinness Brewery

– 9000 year lease– Most popular beer in

Ireland

• #1 beer consumption• St. Patrick’s Day

– National Holiday– Whole world celebrates

• Great Potato Famine– 1845 - 1852– Potato most popular food

• Cheap to buy• Easy to grow in soil in

Ireland

• 1845: too much rain– Potatoes rotted

• People have no food– Starve– Leave Ireland

• Population split in half

DUE: FRIDAY (12/7)1. WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF IRELAND?

2. WHAT IS THE MAIN RELIGION IN IRELAND?

3. WHAT IS CURRENCY USED IN IRELAND?

4. WHAT ISSUE IN THE 19TH CENTURY CUT THE IRISH POPULATION IN HALF?

5. IS IRELAND AN ISLAND?

6. HOW LONG IS A TERM FOR IRISH PRESIDENT?

7. HOW MANY TERMS CAN A PRESIDENT SERVE IN IRELAND?

8. IS THE PRESIDENT ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE?

9. IS THE PRIME MINISTER ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE?

10. WHO IS THE PRESIDENT? PRIME MINISTER?