Republic of Ireland 

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Latest news on the Republic of Ireland (Éire or Eire), covering Irish politics, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Dáil, the Irish economy, housing and the cost of living, health, the EU, Brexit, Irish unity and Anglo-Irish relations, plus Dublin and every county from Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow, across Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

Ireland is an island nation of more than 5 million people, covering about five sixths of the island of Ireland, with Dublin as its capital. It has been in the European Union since 1973, uses the euro and is home to major technology and pharmaceutical multinationals. The coalition government is led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with Simon Harris as Tánaiste, while Catherine Connolly is President.

Ireland's place in Europe and the world is a constant news theme. It stays outside NATO under a policy of military neutrality, which is debated in the Dáil and beyond. Relations with Britain have changed since Brexit, and the Irish border, trade and Irish unity remain talking points. Under the Good Friday Agreement, people in Northern Ireland can identify as Irish, British or both.

Housing dominates domestic news, with high rents, rising prices and a national plan to build 300,000 homes by 2030. Health waiting lists and Sláintecare reform, the cost of living, immigration, climate targets, offshore wind and energy supply also feature prominently. The Garda Síochána, crime and justice stories round out the daily agenda, alongside corporation tax and the economy.

Irish culture has a global reach, from the literature of Joyce, Yeats, Beckett and Heaney to traditional music, film and St Patrick's Day celebrations. The Irish language, Gaeilge, is promoted in schools and in the Gaeltacht regions, while festivals, pubs and local communities keep the arts thriving. Galway, Cork, Dublin and the Wild Atlantic Way also draw visitors from around the world.

Modern Ireland was shaped by the Great Famine of the 1840s and the emigration that built a vast diaspora. The 1916 Rising led to independence in 1922, and the Republic of Ireland was declared in 1949. The Celtic Tiger boom, the 2008 financial crash and a strong recovery transformed the economy, while the 1998 peace agreement changed relations across the island.

Our NewsNow feed on the Republic of Ireland is constantly updated with the most relevant headlines from reliable sources. Whether you follow Irish news, politics, business, housing, the EU or life in Dublin, Cork and Galway, this feed gives you a comprehensive picture of the country.