The population of Ireland is over 4.7 million people.
National composition:
- Irish (Celts);
- the British;
- other nationalities (Lithuanians, Germans, Poles, Nigerians, Chinese).
50 people live per 1 sq. Km, but Dublin is characterized by the highest population density (more than 4000 people live here per 1 sq. Km), and the western regions of the country are the least populated.
Official languages are Irish (Gaelic) and English.
Major cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Dundalk.
The majority of the inhabitants of Ireland (91%) are Catholic, the rest are Judaism, Presbyterian, Protestant.
Life span
On average, the female population lives up to 80, and the male population - up to 74 years.
These high rates are influenced by the fact that the state of Ireland allocates $ 3,700 per year to health care per person. In addition, residents of Ireland smoke 5 times less than residents of the Balkans and the countries of the former USSR. But, nevertheless, the Irish abuse alcohol, although they do not drink strong alcoholic beverages (Irish beer is in high esteem), and there are also obese people among them (23%).
Traditions and customs of the inhabitants of Ireland
Irish people are sociable people with a developed sense of camaraderie and mutual assistance.
In Ireland, an ancient tradition has been preserved - to visit fairs where it is customary to dance folk dances, watch the performances of acrobats, musicians and magicians.
One interesting tradition has to do with the New Year - on the eve of this holiday, all people leave the doors of their houses open so that everyone can enter at any time and become a welcome guest.
The holiday of St. Patrick (March 17) is of particular importance in the life of the Irish: city dwellers put on green clothes and go to the parade, which is accompanied by parties, music, dancing and lots of beer.
In Russia, it is customary to pull the birthday boy by the ears, but in Ireland they lightly hit him on the floor, after having turned the birthday boy upside down, as many times as he is + 1 more time.
As for the Irish wedding, this is a very beautiful ceremony: the bride wears a blue dress and a crown of symbolic Celtic flowers (lavender) on her head. Modern newlyweds take part in an ancient ritual - “union of hands” (they take each other's hand through the ribbon).
Going to Ireland? Take note of the following information:
- you can greet the Irish with a handshake, a nod of the head, or a raised index finger;
- smoking in restaurants, bars, cinemas and hotels is prohibited;
- when going to a meeting with an Irishman, you should be punctual;
- Recommended topics for conversation with Irish people are sports, family, hobbies, politics (you should not talk about topics such as religion and feminism).
