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Ireland has a population of 3,744,700 (1999 estimate), with Dublin, its capital city, having a population of 953, 000.

The country enjoys a relatively mild climate with average monthly temperatures ranging from 7 degrees celsius in January to 19 degrees in July.

Ireland has an average monthly rainfall of between 2 and 3 inches with average daily hours of sunshine ranging from 2 hours in December to 6 hours in June.

The country's total area is 84,412km squared with a total coastline distance of 3,172km.

Ireland's highest mountain is Carrantouhill, Co. Kerry at 1,041m, longest river, the Shannon at 340km and largest lake, Lough Neagh at 396km squared.

Irelands National Parks are home to some of the most unique and spectacular scenery in the county while wild boglands occur in mountain and lowland areas and are one of the most distinctive natural habitats in the country.

The bio-diversity of wildlife is naturally low due to Ireland's isolation from mainland Europe so many species present on the continent are absent. Many other common animals and plants have, in fact, been introduced by human settlers.

The free profession of religion is guaranteed to all citizens by the Irish Constitution. The stated religion of the majority of people in Ireland is the Roman Catholic faith.

The Irish language evolved from Celtic immigrants around 600 BC. The language survived the introduction of the linguistic diversity of both the invading Vikings and Normans down through the centuries.

The first to bring the English language to Ireland were the Normans. Though English was slow to become established in Ireland it eventually became the language used for all administrative and legal business. Irish became associated with the poorer classes, and gradually English was adopted in general as the vernacular from the latter years of the eighteenth century on.

History

7000 BC The earliest known settlers travelled from Britain to Ireland. By 3000 BC, Neolithic or New Stone-Age people arrived and their stone monuments can still be seen dotted around the Irish landscape today. By 2000 BC the first Bronze-Age metalworkers arrived.

432 AD St. Patrick arrived to help convert the pagan Gaelic Kings to Christianity. He and his followers spread the new religion throughout the country. The following century saw Irish missionaries begin to spread Christianity throughout Europe.

800 AD The first Viking raids on Ireland. Usually small in numbers, they plunder Irish monasteries and towns. By 914 AD the Vikings begin to overwinter and establish towns mostly near the South Coast. They trade, intermarry and fight with the Gaelic Irish.

1014 AD In the Battle of Clontarf Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland defeats an army of Vikings and Leinster Men but is killed himself.

1541 AD Henry VIII declares himself King of Ireland, the first English monarch to do so. The first plantation of English people to settle in Ireland follow shortly after.

1595 AD The beginning of the Nine Years War with Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone rebelling. O'Neill and his allies were comprehensively beaten at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601.

1782 AD The Irish Parliament is granted independence from England and some of the Penal Laws against Catholics are abolished.

1823 AD The Catholic Association is founded by Daniel O'Connell and by 1829 Catholic Emancipation is passed removing virtually all restrictions placed on Catholics.