1. The Republic of Ireland Called the Emerald Isle

2. Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the multimedia fair use guidelines and are restricted from further use. Flags and maps obtained from: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ © 2006 -Jon Benignus

3. Irish Geography N. Ireland belongs to the United Kingdom Rest of the island is independent of the UK

4. Religion Mostly Roman Catholic England mostly Protestant England forbade Catholicism in Ireland

5. History of Ireland Conquered by England c 1200 Always rebelling against the English Split from Great Britain in 1921 Independent Republic in 1949

6. Potato Famine Potatoes come from the New World Was main crop Potato Blight killed all of the Potatoes Famine cause mass emigration to U.S. http://www.people.virginia.edu/~eas5e/Irish/Mother.html

7. Terrorism Gained independence (except Northern Ireland) 1921-49 Irish Republican Army (IRA) Tentative peace today http://irishrepublicanarmy.info/underconstruc tion.html

8. Economics Very poor country Lots of emigrants Joined EU in 1973 Received aid from the EU Rich with lots of immigrants

9. Housing & Banking Crisis Economy was good until 2008 –Called Celtic Tiger Housing Bubble –People paid too much for housing Banking Crisis http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vy4j096M1u8/TOzk5awEg7I/AAAAAAA AARQ/I8ZqnAG6Te0/s1600/irish-banking-crisis-kipp-005.jpg