Southwest Ireland Travel Directory

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Southwest Ireland People & Population

Irish is compulsory in schools but it is only in a limited part of the country that it is the dominant language. It appears along with English in most official documentation. The Irish speaking region is known as the Gaeltacht and is mostly in the west of the country in Counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, the Aran Islands and Kerry, although An Rinn in Co. Waterford and a small part of Meath are also Irish speaking. However Irish is experiencing a revival all over the country and there is now a strong Irish media and cultural scene.

English is spoken everywhere, and the Irish version is unique and attractive with fascinating and creative nuances, that are much more evocative and poetic than the English spoken elsewhere. It is widely held that the best spoken English in the world can be heard in Dublin. Though the brogue is strong it is usually clear, and with a little acclimatization visitors should have no problem understanding. In fact so compelling is the brogue that some visitors find themselves speaking with a slight Irish accent after a few days.

Ireland has always been a country of letters and literature and the written form in both languages is of great importance. Ireland has one of the world's highest literacy levels, which is a particular accomplishment for a country that until recently was one of Western Europe's poorest nations. Great writers and playwrights have always played a very important role in the fabric of Irish society.

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Demographics of the Republic of Ireland
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The population of the Republic of Ireland is just over 3.8 million. The population is growing in line with the phenomenal economic growth of recent years. This counters decades of declining population that has occurred since the mid-1800s and was the result of mass emigration. Before the potato famine of 1845-1851 the population of the whole Ireland (including modern-day Northern Ireland) was over eight million. But starvation, poverty and war took their toll. Today the trend has reversed and many people who previously migrated to the U.K. and the U.S.A. are returning, as well as a new influx of people attracted to the plethora of opportunities in Ireland's high tech. charged economy.

The economy is rapidly transforming to a service-oriented urban-based one, from the traditional agricultural one. Although the majority of the population of Ireland still lives outside the major cities, about 40% lives within commuting distance of Dublin, which, with a population of around 1.75 million within its own limits, is by far the largest city. Other major cities include Cork (approx. 140,000), Limerick (Greater Limerick approx. 80,000), Waterford (approx. 45,000) and Galway (approx. 63,000). Ireland has a very heavy proportion of young people - with over 53% aged less than 25.

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