About Ireland - Country Guide

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Country Guide: Republic of Ireland

Once a country plagued with high unemployment, high inflation, slow growth, and a large public debt, Ireland has undergone an extraordinary economic transformation in the last 15 years. Formerly an agriculture-based economy, the “Celtic Tiger” has become a leader in high-tech industries.

The US Treasury department regards Ireland’s real estate market as “vibrant” In some recent years its economy has grown as much as 10%. Ireland is a democratic state with a parliamentary system of government and was one of the original fifteen founding members of the EU. With a GDP second only to Luxembourg’s in Europe it is hardly surprising that everyone wants to live there.

Althoughthe residential market has recently slon down, the second home and holiday property market is still byount. Ireland has one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world which has made it a number one choice for holidaymakers, and in turn has created a very healthy market in holiday homes.

The current president is Mary McAleese, who is serving her second term after having succeeded President Mary Robinson - the first instance worldwide where one woman has followed another as an elected head of state. Ireland's climate can be described as temperate marine dominated by the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, Ireland does not suffer from the extremes of temperature experienced by many other countries at similar latitude with a summer average of about 19 °C and a winter minimum of about 2.5 °C in these areas.

Dublin is the capital on the east coast and is home to a very go-ahead business community who have contributed much to Ireland’s success in recent years. The second largest city is Cork which is set in open rolling countryside and then there is Galway over on the West coast with it’s rugged Atlantic coastline.

Since the historic accord was reached between the Republicans and the Loyalists last year, a new and greater stability has settled on this once troubled land and produced a very fertile climate for home buyers in all kinds of real estate ranging from investment property through off-plan property to retirment and holiday homes.

The poets and dreamers of yesterday are today’s visionary entrepreneurs.