Editing Republic of Ireland (section)

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Ireland}}
Ireland's culture was for centuries predominantly [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]], and it remains one of the six principal [[Celtic nations]]. Following the [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] invasion in the 12th century, and gradual British conquest and colonisation beginning in the 16th century, Ireland became influenced by English and Scottish culture. Subsequently, Irish culture, though distinct in many aspects, shares characteristics with the rest of the [[Anglosphere]], [[Catholic Europe]], and other Celtic regions. The [[Irish diaspora]], one of the world's largest and most dispersed, has contributed to the globalisation of Irish culture, producing many prominent figures in art, music, and science.

===Literature===
{{Main|Irish literature}}
[[File:Jonathan Swift by Charles Jervas detail.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jonathan Swift]] (1667–1745)]]
Ireland has made a significant contribution to world literature in both the English and Irish languages. Modern [[Irish fiction]] began with the publishing of the 1726 novel ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'' by [[Jonathan Swift]]. Other writers of importance during the 18th century and their most notable works include [[Laurence Sterne]] with the publication of ''[[The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman]]'' and [[Oliver Goldsmith]]'s ''[[The Vicar of Wakefield]]''. Numerous [[List of Irish novelists|Irish novelists]] emerged during the 19th century, including [[Maria Edgeworth]], [[John Banim]], [[Gerald Griffin]], [[Charles Kickham]], [[William Carleton]], [[George A. Moore|George Moore]], and [[Somerville and Ross]]. [[Bram Stoker]] is best known as the author of the 1897 novel ''[[Dracula]]''.

[[James Joyce]] (1882–1941) published his most famous work ''[[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]]'' in 1922, which is an interpretation of the ''[[Odyssey]]'' set in Dublin. [[Edith Anna Somerville|Edith Somerville]] continued writing after the death of her partner [[Violet Florence Martin|Martin Ross]] in 1915. Dublin's [[Annie M. P. Smithson]] was one of several authors catering for fans of romantic fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. After the Second World War, popular novels were published by, among others, Brian O'Nolan, who published as [[Flann O'Brien]], [[Elizabeth Bowen]], and [[Kate O'Brien (novelist)|Kate O'Brien]]. During the final decades of the 20th century, [[Edna O'Brien]], [[John McGahern]], [[Maeve Binchy]], [[Joseph O'Connor]], [[Roddy Doyle]], [[Colm Tóibín]], and [[John Banville]] came to the fore as novelists.

[[File:Yeats Boughton.jpg|thumb|upright|[[W. B. Yeats]] (1865–1939)]]

[[Patricia Lynch]] was a prolific children's author in the 20th century, while [[Eoin Colfer]]'s works were [[New York Times Best Seller|NYT Best Sellers]] in this genre in the early 21st century.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/eoin-colfer-signs-artemis-fowl-spin-off-series-deal-1.3457107 | newspaper = The Irish Times | title = Eoin Colfer signs Artemis Fowl spin-off series deal | date = 11 April 2018 | access-date = 5 September 2018 | quote = Colfer is The New York Times best-selling author of eight books in the Artemis Fowl series, with sales in excess of 25&nbsp;million copies | archive-date = 9 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025541/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/eoin-colfer-signs-artemis-fowl-spin-off-series-deal-1.3457107 | url-status = live }}</ref> In the genre of the short story, which is a form favoured by many Irish writers, the most prominent figures include [[Seán Ó Faoláin]], [[Frank O'Connor]] and [[William Trevor]]. Well known Irish poets include [[Patrick Kavanagh]], [[Thomas McCarthy (poet)|Thomas McCarthy]], [[Dermot Bolger]], and [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] laureates [[W. B. Yeats|William Butler Yeats]] and [[Seamus Heaney]] (born in Northern Ireland but resided in Dublin). Prominent writers in the Irish language are [[Pádraic Ó Conaire]], [[Máirtín Ó Cadhain]], [[Séamus Ó Grianna]], and [[Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill]].

The history of [[Irish theatre]] begins with the expansion of the English administration in Dublin during the early 17th century, and since then, Ireland has significantly contributed to English drama. In its early history, theatrical productions in Ireland tended to serve political purposes, but as more theatres opened and the popular audience grew, a more diverse range of entertainments were staged. Many Dublin-based theatres developed links with their London equivalents, and British productions frequently found their way to the Irish stage. However, most Irish playwrights went abroad to establish themselves. In the 18th century, [[Oliver Goldsmith]] and [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]] were two of the most successful playwrights on the London stage at that time. At the beginning of the 20th century, theatre companies dedicated to the staging of Irish plays and the development of writers, directors and performers began to emerge, which allowed many Irish playwrights to learn their trade and establish their reputations in Ireland rather than in Britain or the United States. Following in the tradition of acclaimed practitioners, principally [[Oscar Wilde]], Literature Nobel Prize laureates [[George Bernard Shaw]] (1925) and [[Samuel Beckett]] (1969), playwrights such as [[Seán O'Casey]], [[Brian Friel]], [[Sebastian Barry]], [[Brendan Behan]], [[Conor McPherson]] and [[Billy Roche]] have gained popular success.<ref>{{cite book|last =Houston|first =Eugenie|title =Working and Living in Ireland|publisher =Working and Living Publications|year =2001|isbn =0-9536896-8-9|url-access =registration |url =https://archive.org/details/workinglivingini00euge |page=299}}</ref> Other Irish playwrights of the 20th century include [[Denis Johnston]], [[Thomas Kilroy]], [[Tom Murphy (playwright)|Tom Murphy]], [[Hugh Leonard]], [[Frank McGuinness]], and [[John B. Keane]].

===Music and dance===
{{Main|Irish music|Irish dance}}

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 | caption1 = [[Enya]]; Ireland's best–selling solo artist<ref>{{cite web |last1=English |first1=Eoin |title=Hark! The herald Enya sings in historic Cork chapel |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20431919.html |website=Irish Examiner |access-date=17 August 2024 |language=en |date=23 November 2016}}</ref>

 | image2 = U2 performing at Sphere in Las Vegas on Feb 15 2024 by Jerome Krailiger (2).jpg
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 | caption2 = [[U2]]; best–selling Irish group in history<ref>{{cite web |title=Bono: The missionary - People, News - The Independent |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article364606.ece |access-date=17 August 2024 |date=10 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010121100/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article364606.ece |archive-date=10 October 2008 }}</ref>

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[[Folk music of Ireland|Irish traditional music]] has remained vibrant, despite globalising cultural forces, and retains many traditional aspects. It has influenced various music genres, such as American country and roots music, and to some extent modern rock. It has occasionally been blended with styles such as rock and roll and punk rock. Ireland has also produced many internationally known artists in other genres, such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues. Ireland's best selling musical act is the rock band [[U2]], who have sold 170&nbsp;million copies of their albums worldwide since their formation in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u2-what-theyre-still-looking-for/3/|title=U2: What they're still looking for|publisher=[[CBS News]]|first=Anthony|last=Mason|date=24 May 2015|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601203109/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u2-what-theyre-still-looking-for/3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are a number of classical music ensembles around the country, such as the [[RTÉ Performing Groups]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmc.ie/links/index.html |title=Contemporary Music Ireland |publisher=Contemporary Music Centre – Links |access-date=9 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224073202/http://www.cmc.ie/links/index.html |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Ireland also has two opera organisations: [[Irish National Opera]] in Dublin, and the annual [[Wexford Festival Opera|Wexford Opera Festival]], which promotes lesser-known operas, takes place during October and November.

Ireland has participated in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] since 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2001/0404/mooreb.html |title=Showband legend Butch Moore dies |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] |date=4 April 2001 |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811173736/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2001/0404/mooreb.html |archive-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> Its first win was in 1970, when [[Dana Rosemary Scallon|Dana]] won with ''[[All Kinds of Everything]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/thedailyshow/2011/0307/dana107.html |title=Dana |work=The Daily Show: Celebrity Guests |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811024144/http://www.rte.ie/tv/thedailyshow/2011/0307/dana107.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has subsequently won the competition [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest|six more times]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/stats.htm |title=Eurovision Song Contest Statistics |publisher=eurovisioncovers.co.uk |year=2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102232747/http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/stats.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/a_little_bit_eurovision.html |title=A Little Bit Eurovision |publisher=[[RTÉ Television]] |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-date=19 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219230315/http://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/a_little_bit_eurovision.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the highest number of wins by any competing country. The phenomenon ''[[Riverdance]]'' originated as an interval performance during the [[1994 Eurovision Song Contest|1994 contest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/radio1/stephensday/1030324.html |title=On The Road with Riverdance |publisher=[[RTÉ Radio 1]] |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124221048/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/stephensday/1030324.html |archive-date=24 November 2012}}</ref>

Irish dance can broadly be divided into [[social dance]] and [[performance dance]]. Irish social dance can be divided into ''céilí'' and set dancing. Irish [[set dance]]s are [[quadrilles]], danced by 4 couples arranged in a square, while [[Ceili dance|céilí dances]] are danced by varied [[Formation dance|formations]] of couples of 2 to 16 people. There are also many stylistic differences between these two forms. Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the country. In some places dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed. Performance dance is traditionally referred to as [[step dance|stepdance]]. [[Irish stepdance]], popularised by the show ''[[Riverdance]]'', is notable for its rapid leg movements, with the body and arms being kept largely stationary. The solo stepdance is generally characterised by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet. The solo dances can either be in "soft shoe" or "hard shoe".

===Architecture===
{{Main|Architecture of Ireland}}
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| image2            = Powerscourt, County Wicklow, Ireland - geograph.org.uk - 2534787.jpg
| image1            = Dublin Custom House South Side 6.jpg
| caption2          = [[Powerscourt Estate]], near [[Enniskerry]] in [[County Wicklow]], was built in the 18th century
| caption1          = The [[The Custom House|Dublin Custom House]] is a [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] building from the late 18th century.
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Ireland has a wealth of structures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megalithomania.com/|publisher=Megalithomania|title=The Megalithic Monuments of Ireland|access-date=19 November 2011|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206210335/http://www.megalithomania.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> surviving in various states of preservation, from the [[Neolithic]] period, such as ''[[Brú na Bóinne]]'', [[Poulnabrone dolmen]], [[Castlestrange stone]], [[Turoe stone]], and [[Drombeg stone circle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/prehistoric.htm|publisher=About.com|title=The Prehistoric Monuments of Ireland|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=25 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625143144/http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/prehistoric.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> As Ireland was never a part of the [[Roman Empire]], ancient architecture in [[Greco-Roman]] style is extremely rare, in contrast to most of Western Europe. The country instead had an extended period of [[Iron Age]] architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD43-410 |publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk |title=AD 43–410 Roman Iron Age |access-date=19 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013012557/http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD43-410 |archive-date=13 October 2010 }}</ref> The [[Irish round tower]] originated during the [[Early Medieval]] period.

Christianity introduced simple [[List of monastic houses in Ireland|monastic houses]], such as [[Clonmacnoise]], [[Skellig Michael]] and [[Scattery Island Cathedral and Monastery|Scattery Island]]. A stylistic similarity has been remarked between these [[double monastery|double monasteries]] and those of the [[Copts]] of Egypt.<ref>{{harvnb|Meinardus|2002|p=130}}.</ref> Gaelic kings and aristocrats occupied [[ringfort]]s or ''[[crannóg]]s''.<ref name="vikperiod">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD410-1066 |publisher=WorldTimelines.org.uk |title=AD 410–1066 Early medieval |access-date=19 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012042003/http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/world/british_isles/ireland/AD410-1066 |archive-date=12 October 2010 }}</ref> Church reforms during the 12th century via the [[Cistercians]] stimulated continental influence, with the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] styled [[Mellifont Abbey|Mellifont]], [[Boyle Abbey|Boyle]] and [[Tintern Abbey (County Wexford)|Tintern]] abbeys.<ref>{{harvnb|Moody|2005|p=735}}.</ref> Gaelic settlement had been limited to the Monastic proto-towns, such as [[Kells, County Meath|Kells]], where the current street pattern preserves the original circular settlement outline to some extent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://udprism01.ucd.ie/TalisPrism/browseResults.do?&expandedWorkID=0.12&browse_action=9057&rootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&browse_RootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&displayRowPath=0&pageSize=10&displaySearchAsText=false&openRowPathSet=0:1 |title=Altman 2007 Unpublished thesis |access-date=5 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510022752/http://udprism01.ucd.ie/TalisPrism/browseResults.do?&expandedWorkID=0.12&browse_action=9057&rootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&browse_RootRSetId=12c1e70947c00000&displayRowPath=0&pageSize=10&displaySearchAsText=false&openRowPathSet=0%3A1 |archive-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> Significant urban settlements only developed following the period of Viking invasions.<ref name="vikperiod" /> The major Hiberno-Norse [[Longphort]]s were located on the coast, but with minor inland fluvial settlements, such as the eponymous [[Longford]].
[[File:Monasterboice (52364039739).jpg|thumb|left|The ruins of [[Monasterboice]] in [[County Louth]] are of early Christian settlements.]]
Castles were built by the [[Anglo-Normans]] during the late 12th century, such as [[Dublin Castle]] and [[Kilkenny Castle]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancientfortresses.org/irish-castles.htm|publisher=Castles.me.uk|title=Irish Castles|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=1 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701173522/http://www.ancientfortresses.org/irish-castles.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and the concept of the planned walled trading town was introduced, which gained legal status and several rights by grant of a [[Charter]] under [[Feudalism]]. These charters specifically governed the design of these towns.<ref>Butlin RA (1977): ''The Development of the Irish Town'', Croom Helm</ref> Two significant waves of planned town formation followed, the first being the 16th- and 17th-century plantation towns, which were used as a mechanism for the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] English kings to suppress local insurgency, followed by 18th-century landlord towns.<ref>Butlin RA: ''op cit''</ref> Surviving Norman founded planned towns include [[Drogheda]] and [[Youghal]]; plantation towns include [[Portlaoise]] and [[Portarlington, County Laois|Portarlington]]; well-preserved 18th-century planned towns include [[Westport, County Mayo|Westport]] and [[Ballinasloe]]. These episodes of planned settlement account for the majority of present-day towns throughout the country.
[[File:Georgian Dublin. Merrion Square - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Brick architecture of multi-storey buildings in [[Merrion Square]], Dublin]]

[[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedrals, such as [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin|St Patrick's]], were also introduced by the Normans.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=813}}.</ref> [[Franciscan]]s were dominant in directing the abbeys by the Late Middle Ages, while elegant tower houses, such as [[Bunratty Castle]], were built by the Gaelic and Norman aristocracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=The Later Middle Ages: 1350 to 1540|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=14 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114180510/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many religious buildings were ruined with the [[dissolution of the monasteries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|publisher=AskAboutIreland.ie|title=Early Tudor Ireland: 1485 to 1547|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-date=14 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114180510/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/architecture/Architecture/historical-periods-1/the-later-middle-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the Restoration, [[palladianism]] and [[rococo]], particularly [[country houses]], swept through Ireland under the initiative of [[Edward Lovett Pearce]], with the [[Irish Houses of Parliament|Houses of Parliament]] being the most significant.<ref name="greenwood">{{harvnb|Greenwood|2003|p=815}}.</ref>

With the erection of buildings such as [[The Custom House]], [[Four Courts]], [[General Post Office (Dublin)|General Post Office]] and [[King's Inns]], the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] and [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] styles flourished, especially in [[Georgian Dublin|Dublin]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Georgian townhouses produced streets of singular distinction, particularly in [[Dublin]], [[Limerick]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]]. Following [[Catholic Emancipation]], cathedrals and churches influenced by the French [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] emerged, such as [[Cobh Cathedral|St Colman's]] and [[Saint Finbarre's Cathedral|St Finbarre's]].<ref name="greenwood" /> Ireland has long been associated with [[thatched roof]] cottages, though these are nowadays considered quaint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballybegvillage.com/thatching.html|publisher=BallyBegVillage.com|title=Thatching in Ireland|access-date=19 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011005154/http://www.ballybegvillage.com/thatching.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Capital dock.jpg|thumb|right|[[Capital Dock]] in [[Dublin]] is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland.]]
Beginning with the American designed [[art deco]] church at [[Turners Cross, Cork|Turner's Cross]], [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in 1927, Irish architecture followed the international trend towards modern and sleek building styles since the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|title = Exterior of Church of Christ the King, Turner's Cross|publisher = Parish of Turner's Cross|url = http://turnerscross.com/architecture/building-description/|access-date = 9 November 2008|archive-date = 13 December 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213055932/http://turnerscross.com/architecture/building-description/|url-status = live}}</ref> Other developments include the regeneration of [[Ballymun]] and an urban extension of Dublin at [[Adamstown, Dublin|Adamstown]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sdcc.ie/services/planning/strategic-development-zones/adamstown?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=203 |title=About Adamstown |publisher=South Dublin County Council |access-date=13 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903232010/http://www.sdcc.ie/services/planning/strategic-development-zones/adamstown?option=com_content&task=view&id=353&Itemid=203 |archive-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> Since the establishment of the [[Dublin Docklands Development Authority]] in 1997, the [[Dublin Docklands]] area underwent large-scale redevelopment, which included the construction of the [[Convention Centre Dublin]] and [[Grand Canal Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddda.ie/index.jsp?p=99&n=138 |title=Docklands Authority – About Us |access-date=31 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154054/http://www.ddda.ie/index.jsp?p=99&n=138 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Completed in 2018, [[Capital Dock]] in Dublin is the tallest building in the Republic of Ireland achieving {{convert|79|m|ft|abbr=off}} in height (the [[Obel Tower]] in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] being the tallest in Ireland). The [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]] regulates the practice of architecture in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riai.ie/about_the_riai |title=About the RIAI |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928211424/http://www.riai.ie/about_the_riai |archive-date=28 September 2010}}</ref>

===Media===
{{Main|Media of the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Lang|ga|[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|italic=no}} (RTÉ) is Ireland's [[public service broadcaster]], funded by a [[television licence fee]] and advertising.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/about |title=About RTÉ |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823212854/http://www.rte.ie/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> RTÉ operates two national television channels, [[RTÉ One]] and [[RTÉ Two]]. The other independent national television channels are [[Virgin Media One]], [[Virgin Media Two]], [[Virgin Media Three]] and [[TG4]], the latter of which is a public service broadcaster for speakers of the Irish language. All these channels are available on [[Saorview]], the national [[free-to-air]] [[digital terrestrial television]] service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/ |title=What is Saorview? |publisher=Saorview official website |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=29 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829045735/http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additional channels included in the service are [[RTÉ News Now]], [[RTÉjr]], and RTÉ One +1. Subscription-based television providers operating in Ireland include [[Virgin Media Ireland|Virgin Media]] and [[Sky Ireland|Sky]].

The [[BBC]]'s [[BBC Northern Ireland|Northern Irish division]] is widely available in Ireland. [[BBC One Northern Ireland]] and [[BBC Two Northern Ireland]] are available in pay television providers including Virgin and Sky as well as via [[signal overspill]] by [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] in border counties.

Supported by the [[Irish Film Board]], the Irish film industry grew significantly since the 1990s, with the promotion of indigenous films as well as the attraction of international productions like ''[[Braveheart]]'' and ''[[Saving Private Ryan]]''.<ref name="Media Landscape">{{cite web|url=http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland |title=Media landscape: Ireland |publisher=European Journalism Centre |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=30 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824215241/http://www.ejc.net/media_landscape/article/ireland/ |archive-date=24 August 2011}}</ref>

A large number of regional and local radio stations are available countrywide. A survey showed that a consistent 85% of adults listen to a mixture of national, regional and local stations on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011.07.28-JNLR-Results-July-2010-Jun2011.pdf |title=Listenership 2011/1 Summary Results |publisher=JNLR/Ipsos MRB |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=22 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122145316/http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011.07.28-JNLR-Results-July-2010-Jun2011.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[RTÉ Radio]] operates four national stations, [[RTÉ Radio 1|Radio 1]], [[RTÉ 2fm|2fm]], [[RTÉ lyric fm|Lyric fm]], and [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta|RnaG]]. It also operates four national DAB radio stations. There are two independent national stations: [[Today FM]] and [[Newstalk]].

Ireland has a traditionally competitive print media, which is divided into daily national newspapers and weekly regional newspapers, as well as national Sunday editions. The strength of the British press is a unique feature of the Irish print media scene, with the availability of a wide selection of British published newspapers and magazines.<ref name="Media Landscape"/>

[[Eurostat]] reported that 82% of Irish households had Internet access in 2013 compared to the [[European Union|EU]] average of 79% but only 67% had broadband access.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/Ireland-still-lags-behind-eu-counterparts-in-access-to-broadband-1.1631826 Ireland still lags behind EU counterparts in access to broadband] The Irish Times, 18 December 2013 (accessed on 19 December 2013) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229050021/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/Ireland-still-lags-behind-eu-counterparts-in-access-to-broadband-1.1631826 |date=29 December 2013}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{see also|Irish cuisine|List of Irish dishes}}
[[File:J'ai commencé ma visite de Dublin... (8777546507).jpg|thumb|right|A [[pint]] of [[Guinness]]]]
Irish cuisine was traditionally based on meat and dairy products, supplemented with vegetables and seafood.
Examples of popular Irish cuisine include [[boxty]], [[colcannon]], [[coddle]], [[Irish stew|stew]], and [[bacon and cabbage]]. Ireland is known for the [[Full breakfast|full Irish breakfast]], which involves a fried or grilled meal generally consisting of rashers, egg, sausage, white and black pudding, and fried tomato. Apart from the influence by European and international dishes, there has been an emergence of a new Irish cuisine based on traditional ingredients handled in new ways.<ref name="irelandlogue">{{cite web |url=http://www.irelandlogue.com/food-drink |title=Food & Drink in Ireland |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124024517/http://www.irelandlogue.com/food-drink |url-status=live }}</ref> This cuisine is based on fresh vegetables, fish, oysters, mussels and other shellfish, and the wide range of hand-made cheeses that are now being produced across the country. Shellfish have increased in popularity, especially due to the high quality shellfish available from the [[List of Irish counties by coastline|country's coastline]]. The most popular fish include [[salmon]] and [[cod]]. Traditional breads include [[soda bread]] and [[wheaten bread]]. [[Barmbrack]] is a [[yeast]]ed [[bread]] with added [[sultana (grape)|sultanas]] and [[raisin]]s, traditionally eaten on [[Halloween]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McElwain |first1=Aoife |title=Now we know ... What's so spooky about barmbrack? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/now-we-know-what-s-so-spooky-about-barmbrack-1.3267009 |access-date=15 September 2018 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=28 October 2017 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915155048/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/now-we-know-what-s-so-spooky-about-barmbrack-1.3267009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Popular everyday beverages among the Irish include [[Irish breakfast tea|tea]] and [[Irish coffee|coffee]]. Alcoholic drinks associated with Ireland include [[Poitín]] and the world-famous [[Guinness]], which is a [[dry stout]] that originated in the brewery of [[Arthur Guinness]] at [[St. James's Gate]] in Dublin. [[Irish whiskey]] is also popular throughout the country and comes in various forms, including single malt, single grain, and blended whiskey.<ref name="irelandlogue"/>

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Ireland}}
[[File:Croke Park panorama.jpg|thumb|[[Croke Park]] stadium is the headquarters of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]].]]
[[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] are the traditional sports of Ireland as well as popular [[spectator sports]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/3/2107111732-gaa-attendances-hold-firm |title=GAA attendances hold firm |publisher=GAA official website |date=21 July 2011 |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230062255/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/3/2107111732-gaa-attendances-hold-firm |archive-date=30 December 2011 }}</ref> They are administered by the [[Gaelic Athletics Association]] on an [[all-Ireland]] basis. Other [[Gaelic games]] organised by the association include [[Gaelic handball]] and [[rounders]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa |title=About the GAA |publisher=GAA official website |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827084718/http://www.gaa.ie/about-the-gaa/ |archive-date=27 August 2011 }}</ref> [[Association football in the Republic of Ireland|Association football]] (soccer) is the third most popular spectator sport and has the highest level of participation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esri.ie/pdf/BKMNINT180_Main%20Text_Social%20and%20Economic%20Value%20of%20Sport.pdf |title=Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland |access-date=5 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712134834/http://www.esri.ie/pdf/BKMNINT180_Main%20Text_Social%20and%20Economic%20Value%20of%20Sport.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2015 }}</ref> Although the [[League of Ireland]] is the national league, the English [[Premier League]] is the most popular among the public.<ref>{{cite book|last=Whelan|first=Daire|title=Who Stole Our Game?|publisher=Gill & Macmillan Ltd|year=2006|isbn=0-7171-4004-0}}</ref> The [[Republic of Ireland national football team]] plays at international level and is administered by the [[Football Association of Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=75&Itemid=139|title=About FAI|publisher=FAI official website|access-date=28 August 2011|archive-date=26 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926064431/http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Irish Rugby Football Union]] is the governing body of [[Rugby union in Ireland|rugby union]], which is played at local and international levels on an all-Ireland basis, and has produced players such as [[Brian O'Driscoll]] and [[Ronan O'Gara]], who were on the team that won the [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] in [[2009 Six Nations Championship|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5715.php/ |title=Ireland Are Grand Slam Champions! |publisher=IRFU |date=21 March 2009 |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223164446/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/5715.php/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The success of the [[Irish Cricket Team]] in the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]] has led to an increase in the popularity of [[cricket in Ireland|cricket]], which is also administered on an all-Ireland basis by [[Cricket Ireland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/mar/17/ireland-cricket-more-elite-matches|title=Ireland is learning to love cricket and deserves more visits from the elite|work=The Guardian|date=17 March 2011|access-date=28 August 2011|location=London|first=Mike|last=Selvey|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108023437/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/mar/17/ireland-cricket-more-elite-matches|url-status=live}}</ref> Ireland are one of [[List of International Cricket Council members#Full Members|the twelve Test playing members]] of the [[International Cricket Council]], having been granted [[Test cricket|Test status]] in 2017. [[Cricket in Ireland#Domestic cricket|Professional domestic matches]] are played between the major cricket unions of [[Leinster Cricket Union|Leinster]], [[Munster Cricket Union|Munster]], [[Northern Cricket Union of Ireland|Northern]], and [[North West Cricket Union|North West]]. [[Netball]] is represented by the [[Republic of Ireland national netball team|Ireland national netball team]].

[[Golf]] is another popular sport in Ireland, with over 300 courses countrywide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/ireland|title=Golf courses of Ireland|publisher=WorldGolf|access-date=28 August 2011|archive-date=4 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104131025/http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref> The country has produced several internationally successful golfers, such as [[Pádraig Harrington]], [[Shane Lowry (golfer)|Shane Lowry]] and [[Paul McGinley]]. [[Horse racing]] has a large presence, with influential breeding and racing operations in the country. Racing takes place at courses at [[The Curragh Racecourse]] in [[County Kildare]], [[Leopardstown Racecourse]] just outside Dublin, and [[Galway]]. Ireland has produced champion horses such as [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]], [[Montjeu]], and [[Sea the Stars]]. [[Boxing]] is Ireland's most successful sport at an Olympic level. Administered by the [[Irish Athletic Boxing Association]] on an all-Ireland basis, it has gained in popularity as a result of the international success of boxers such as [[Bernard Dunne]], [[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]] and [[Katie Taylor]].

Some of Ireland's highest performers in [[sport of athletics|athletics]] have competed at the [[Olympic Games]], such as [[Eamonn Coghlan]] and [[Sonia O'Sullivan]]. The annual [[Dublin Marathon]] and [[Dublin Women's Mini Marathon]] are two of the most popular athletics events in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dublinmarathon.ie/general_history.php |title=A long and winding road |publisher=Dublin Marathon official website |access-date=28 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810093228/http://dublinmarathon.ie/general_history.php |archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref> [[Rugby league]] is represented by the [[Ireland national rugby league team]] and administered by [[Rugby League Ireland]] (who are full member of the [[Rugby League European Federation]]) on an all-Ireland basis. The team compete in the [[European Cup (rugby league)]] and the [[Rugby League World Cup]]. Ireland reached the quarter-finals of the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]] as well as reaching the semi-finals in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp-nations/ireland/502-rugby-league-planet-ireland |title=Ireland rugby league nation overview |publisher=Rugby League Planet |access-date=28 August 2011 |archive-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306004553/http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/rlp-nations/ireland/502-rugby-league-planet-ireland |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Irish Elite League]] is a domestic competition for rugby league teams in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/6907954/irish-eye-super-league |title=Irish Eye Super League |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=2 September 2011 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024002121/http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/6907954/Irish-eye-Super-League |url-status=live }}</ref>

While [[Australian rules football in Ireland]] has a limited following, a series of [[International rules football]] games (constituting a hybrid of the Australian and Gaelic football codes) takes place annually between teams representing Ireland and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Rules |url=https://www.afl.com.au/international-rules |publisher=AFL |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428105551/https://www.afl.com.au/international-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Baseball in Ireland|Baseball]] and [[basketball]] are also emerging sports in Ireland, both of which have an international team representing the island of Ireland. Other sports which retain a following in Ireland include [[cycle sport|cycling]], [[greyhound racing]], [[horse riding]], and [[motorsport]].

===Society===
{{See also|Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}
Ireland [[Global Gender Gap Report|ranks fifth]] in the world in terms of [[gender equality]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Iceland 'best country for gender equality'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11517459|access-date=12 October 2010|publisher=BBC News|date=12 October 2010|archive-date=12 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012045420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11517459|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, Ireland was ranked the most [[Charity (practice)|charitable]] country in Europe, and second most charitable in the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ireland 'most charitable' country in Europe|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1220/310115-charity/|access-date=20 December 2010|publisher=RTÉ News|date=20 December 2010|archive-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205204543/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1220/310115-charity/|url-status=live}}</ref> Contraception was controlled in Ireland until 1979, however, the receding influence of the [[Catholic Church in Ireland|Catholic Church]] has led to an increasingly [[Secularism|secularised]] society.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=Health (Family Planning) Act 1979|date=23 July 1979|year=1979|number=20|access-date=4 February 2022|archive-date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918111313/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1979/act/20/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref> A constitutional ban on [[divorce]] was lifted following a [[Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]] in 1995. Divorce rates in Ireland are very low compared to European Union averages (0.7 divorced people per 1,000 population in 2011) while the marriage rate in Ireland is slightly above the European Union average (4.6 marriages per 1,000 population per year in 2012). [[Abortion in the Republic of Ireland|Abortion]] had been banned throughout the period of the Irish state, first through provisions of the [[Offences Against the Person Act 1861]] and later by the [[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013]]. The right to life of the unborn was protected in the constitution by the [[Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Eighth Amendment]] in 1983; this provision was removed following a [[Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]], and replaced it with a provision allowing legislation to regulate the termination of pregnancy. The [[Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018]] passed later that year provided for abortion generally during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in specified circumstances after that date.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018]]|date=20 December 2018|year=2018|number=31|access-date=4 February 2022|archive-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121050905/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/31/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Capital punishment]] is constitutionally banned in Ireland, while discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, religion, race or membership of the travelling community is illegal. The legislation which outlawed homosexual acts was repealed in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|title = NORRIS v. IRELAND – 10581/83 [1988] ECHR 22|date = 26 October 2007|publisher = European Court of Human Rights|url = http://www.worldlii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1988/22.html|access-date = 7 June 2007|archive-date = 15 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015234525/http://www.worldlii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/1988/22.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>Senator [[David Norris (politician)|David Norris]] successfully challenged the law in the [[European Court of Human Rights]] in 1988, but Irish Government did not introduce and pass legislation to rectify the issue until 1993.</ref> The [[Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010]] permitted civil partnerships between same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10484404 |title=Civil partnership bill backed by Irish politicians |publisher=BBC News |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=11 July 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202104003/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10484404 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Carl |last1=O'Brien |title='Historic advance' for equality as Civil Partnership Bill passed |newspaper=The Irish Times |place=Dublin, Ireland |date=2 July 2010 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/24/enacted/en/html|title=Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010|date=19 July 2010|access-date=28 September 2019|website=[[Irish Statute Book]]|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928094542/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/24/enacted/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Children and Family Relationships Act 2015]] allowed for adoption rights for couples other than married couples, including civil partners and cohabitants, and provided for [[Third-party reproduction|donor-assisted human reproduction]]; however, significant sections of the Act have yet to be [[coming into force|commenced]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/9/enacted/en/html|title=Children and Family Relationships Act 2015|date=6 April 2015|access-date=28 September 2019|website=[[Irish Statute Book]]|archive-date=23 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523155602/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2015/en/act/pub/0009/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a [[Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum]] held on 23 May 2015, Ireland became the eighteenth country to [[Marriage Act 2015|provide in law]] for [[same-sex marriage]], and the first to do so by popular vote.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/marriage-referendum/ireland-becomes-first-country-to-approve-same-sex-marriage-by-popular-vote-1.2223646 |newspaper= The Irish Times |title= Ireland becomes first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote |date= 23 May 2015 |access-date= 23 May 2015 |archive-date= 23 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150723091725/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/marriage-referendum/ireland-becomes-first-country-to-approve-same-sex-marriage-by-popular-vote-1.2223646 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for [[plastic shopping bag]]s in 2002 and a public [[smoking ban]] in 2004. [[Recycling in Ireland]] is carried out extensively, and Ireland has the second highest rate of packaging recycling in the [[European Union]]. It was the first country in Europe to ban [[Banning of incandescent lightbulbs|incandescent lightbulbs]] in 2008 and the first EU country to ban in-store tobacco advertising and product display in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/109039-energy/ |title=Traditional light bulbs to be scrapped |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=22 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022025444/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/109039-energy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0630/119005-tobacco/ |title=Ban on in-store tobacco advertising |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-date=22 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022030145/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0630/119005-tobacco/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, Ireland became the second country in the world to introduce [[plain cigarette packaging]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/plain-packaging-for-cigarettes-signed-into-law-in-ireland-1.2134138|title=Plain packaging for cigarettes signed into law in Ireland|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=10 March 2015|first=Mark|last=Hilliard|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=1 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701072609/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/plain-packaging-for-cigarettes-signed-into-law-in-ireland-1.2134138|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the above measures to discourage tobacco use, smoking rates in Ireland remain at approximately 15.4% as of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Smoking Prevalence Tracker 2020 Info – Graph|url=https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/research/smoking-in-ireland-2020.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=28 May 2021|website=[[Health Service Executive]]|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306000019/https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/tobaccocontrol/research/smoking-in-ireland-2020.pdf}}</ref>

===State symbols===
{{Further|Symbols of the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:Seal of the President of Ireland.png|thumb|upright=0.8|The [[seal of the president of Ireland]], incorporating a harp]]

The state shares many symbols with the [[island of Ireland]]. These include the colours green and [[St. Patrick's Blue|blue]], animals such as the [[Irish wolfhound]] and [[stag]]s, structures such as [[Irish round tower|round towers]] and [[celtic cross]]es, and designs such as [[Celtic knot]]s and [[Triple spiral|spirals]]. The [[shamrock]], a type of [[clover]], has been a national symbol of Ireland since the 17th century when it became customary to wear it as a symbol on [[St. Patrick's Day]]. These symbols are used by state institutions as well as private bodies in the Republic of Ireland.

The [[flag of Ireland]] is a [[tricolour (flag)|tricolour]] of green, white and orange. The flag originates with the [[Young Ireland]] movement of the mid-19th century but was not popularised until its use during the [[Easter Rising]] of 1916.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flags Used in Northern Ireland|url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm|website=cain.ulst.ac.uk|publisher=Cain Web Service|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=14 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131904/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The colours represent the [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] tradition (green) and the followers of [[William III of England|William of Orange]] in Ireland (orange), with white representing the aspiration for peace between them.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Flag|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Flag/|website=taoiseach.gov.ie|publisher=Department of the Taoiseach|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217222424/https://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Flag/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State in 1922 and continues to be used as the sole flag and ensign of the state. A [[naval jack]], a green flag with a yellow harp, is set out in Defence Forces Regulations and flown from the bows of warships in addition to the national flag in limited circumstances (e.g. when a ship is not underway). It is based on the unofficial [[green ensign]] of Ireland used in the 18th and 19th centuries and the traditional green flag of Ireland dating from the 16th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ireland: The Naval Service|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-naval.html#jack|website=crwflags.com|publisher=CRW Flags|access-date=5 November 2014|archive-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025205238/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-naval.html#jack|url-status=live}}</ref>

Like the national flag, the national anthem, {{lang|ga|[[Amhrán na bhFiann]]}} ({{langx|en|A Soldier's Song}}), has its roots in the Easter Rising, when the song was sung by the rebels. Although originally published in English in 1912,<ref name="sherry">{{cite journal |last=Sherry |first=Ruth |volume=4 |issue=1 |date=Spring 1996 |url=http://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-story-of-the-national-anthem/ |title=The Story of the National Anthem |journal=History Ireland |location=Dublin |pages=39–43 |access-date=5 November 2014 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104112614/https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/the-story-of-the-national-anthem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the song was translated into Irish in 1923 and the Irish-language version is more commonly sung today.<ref name="sherry" /> The song was officially adopted as the anthem of the Irish Free State in 1926 and continues as the national anthem of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1926-07-20/20/ |title=Ceisteannea—Questions. Oral answers. – Saorstát National Anthem. |date=20 July 1926 |work=Dáil Éireann (4th Dáil) – Vol. 16 No. 21 |access-date=15 July 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910082950/https://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0016/D.0016.192607200020.html |archive-date=10 September 2012}}</ref> The first four bars of the chorus followed by the last five comprise the [[Honors music|presidential salute]].

The [[arms of Ireland]] originate as the arms of the monarchs of Ireland and was recorded as the arms of the King of Ireland in the 12th century. From the [[union of the crowns]] of [[Kingdom of England|England]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] and [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1603, they have appeared [[Quartering (heraldry)|quartered]] on the [[royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom]]. Today, they are the personal arms of the president of Ireland whilst he or she is in office and are flown as the [[Presidential Standard (Ireland)|presidential standard]]. The harp symbol is used extensively by the state to mark official documents, Irish coinage and on the [[seal of the president of Ireland]].