Ireland's Political and Geographical Evolution

📋 Course Outline

1. Place and People of Ireland
2. Geography and Landscape
3. Climate and Atlantic Influence
4. Historical Inhabitants and Celtic Influence
5. Political Organisation and Monasticism
6. Viking and Norman Impact
7. English Conquest and Reforms
8. Irish Independence Movements
9. Partition and Northern Ireland
10. The Troubles and Peace Process
11. Modern Ireland and Economy

📖 1. Place and People of Ireland

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

Republic of Ireland: The sovereign nation occupying 26 counties of the island of Ireland since 1921. It is characterized by its use of the Euro as its currency and has a distinct national identity separate from the United Kingdom. The Republic is the political entity that forms the majority of the island's territory and population.

Northern Ireland: A part of the United Kingdom comprising 6 counties on the island of Ireland. Since 1921, it has maintained a political and territorial distinction from the Republic of Ireland, with its own governance and use of the Pound Sterling as currency. It shares the island with the Republic but remains under UK sovereignty.

County: An administrative division within Ireland. Since 1921, Ireland has been divided into 26 counties forming the Republic of Ireland and 6 counties forming Northern Ireland. These counties serve as key geographical and political units, each with local governance structures.