World Factbook
Ireland
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), white, and orange meaning: the flag colors have no official meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green stands for the Irish nationalist tradition, orange for the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white for peace or a lasting truce between the green and the orange
note: similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has red instead of orange
Capital
name
Dublin
etymology
derived from the Irish words dubh (black or dark) and linn (pool), referring to the color of the Liffey River
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
53 19 N, 6 14 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
4 of the previous 8 years
Constitution
history
previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937
amendment process
proposed as bills by Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, majority vote in a referendum, and presidential signature
Country name
etymology
the Irish name Eire evolved from the Gaelic name Eriu, which is possibly derived from the Old Celtic iveriu , meaning "good land;" the English name, Ireland, is a direct translation
local long form
none
local short form
Eire
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Ireland
Independence
6 December 1921 (from the UK); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)
Legal system
common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members -- the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal -- and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law)
subordinate courts
High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts
judge selection and term of office
judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; chief justice serves in the position for 7 years; judges can serve until age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)
chief of state
President Catherine CONNOLLY (since 11 November 2025)
election results
2025: Michael MARTIN is elected taoiseach by parliament, 95 votes to 76, and is appointed taoiseach by the president 2024: Simon HARRIS is elected taoiseach by parliament, 88 votes to 69, and is appointed taoiseach by the president 2018: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president in first round; percent of vote in first round - Michael D. HIGGINS (independent) 55.8%, Peter CASEY (independent) 23.3%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 6.4%, Liadh NI RIADA (Sinn Fein) 6.4%, Joan FREEMAN (independent) 6%, Gavin DUFFY (independent) 2.2%
head of government
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael MARTIN (since 23 January 2025)
most recent election date
26 October 2018
election/appointment process
president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president
expected date of next election
no later than November 2025
National holiday
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
note: marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated as early as the ninth century, but it only became an official public holiday in 1903
National color(s)
blue, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne; Sceilg Mhichíl
Political parties
Aontu Solidarity-People Before Profit or PBP-S Fianna Fail Fine Gael Green Party Human Dignity Alliance Independent Ireland Labor (Labour) Party 100% Redress Right to Change or RTC Sinn Fein Social Democrats Socialist Party The Workers' Party
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Oireachtas)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)
history
adopted 1926; the song "Ireland's Call" is often used as the anthem at athletic events if citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland are competing as a unified team
lyrics/music
Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
National symbol(s)
harp, shamrock (trefoil)
National coat of arms
the coat of arms features a gold harp on a blue shield and dates back to the 13th century, although it only became official in 1945; the harp, a national symbol that Ireland adopted after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, represents the country’s history, culture, and national identity
Administrative divisions
28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
174 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
1/29/2025 to 1/30/2025
expected date of next election
November 2029
percentage of women in chamber
25.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Fianna Fáil (48); Sinn Féin (39); Fine Gael (38); Social Democratic Party (11); Labour Party (11); Independents (16); Other (11)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Seanad Éireann - Senate)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
60 (49 indirectly elected; 11 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/29/2024
expected date of next election
January 2030
percentage of women in chamber
45%
parties elected and seats per party
Fianna Fail (19); Fine Gael (18); Sinn Fein (6); Independents (12); other (5)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-5993
chancery
2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 462-3939
chief of mission
Ambassador Geraldine BYRNE NASON (since 16 September 2022)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
email address and website
https://www.ireland.ie/en/usa/washington/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[353] (1) 688-8056
embassy
42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
telephone
[353] (1) 668-8777
mailing address
5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC 20521-5290
chief of mission
Ambassador Edward S. WALSH (since 1 July 2025)
email address and website
ACSDublin@state.gov https://ie.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction