The Republic of Ireland is a country and island west of Wales. It has a total area of 70,280 km2. The climate is temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current with mild winters, and cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time. The terrain is mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Natural resources are zinc, lead, natural gas, crude oil, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver. The religion is 94% Roman Catholic, 4% Anglican, 2% other. The language is Irish (Gaelic) and English; English is the language generally used, with Gaelic spoken in a few areas, mostly along the western seaboard. Ireland was first invaded by the British in 1167 who embarked on a policy of confiscation of Irish lands and creation of plantations. In 1916 a revolution occurred overthrowing the British invaders who had occupied the country for so long, and a republic was declared, being finally recognised in 1921 though the British retained control of a small part of contested northern Ireland. Research Ireland
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Ireland