Ireland may be known for the violence of its history but the people themselves have always been associated with a love of music, a good story and a bit of craic, as a good time with friends is known.
The country is the birthplace of many famous English-language writers, among them Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, Wilde and Shaw.
Since joining the European Community in 1973, the Republic of Ireland has accelerated its growth from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically-advanced economy.

• Capital City: Dublin
  
• Population: 3.9 million (UN, 2003)
  
• Major languages: English, Irish
  
• Major religion: Christianity
  
• Life expectancy: 74 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
  
• Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cents
  
• Main exports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
  
• Average annual income: US $22,850 (World Bank, 2001)
  
• Internet domain: .ie
  
• International dialling code: +353

THE MEDIA

• The press
  
  • The Irish Times
    
  • Irish Independent
    
    
• Television
  
  • RTE - public broadcaster, operates three networks: RTE 1; Network 2; Irish-language TG4
    
  • TV3 - national commercial network
    
    
• Radio
  
  • RTE - public broadcaster, operates four networks: flagship station Radio 1; pop music station 2 FM; Irish-language Raidio na Gaeltachta; classical and cultural station Lyric FM
    
  • Today FM - national commercial network