Pray for Ireland

Ireland is an island located north west of Europe.
It’s separated from the neighboring island of Great Britain by the Irish Sea and the North Channel in the east.
To the west is the northern Atlantic Ocean and to the south is the Celtic Sea.

Politically, Ireland is split into two nations:
The Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland, (Part of the United Kingdom).

The population of the Republic of Ireland is over 4 million.
Dublin is the capital.

FACTS
Ireland is the 3rd largest island in Europe and the 20th largest island on Earth.

It is often called the Emerald Isle due to its lush vegetation.

The illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells  was made in Ireland.

The Irish Setter and Irish Wolfhound were originally bred in Ireland.

Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces:
Leinster  East
Ulster    North
Munster   South  
Connacht  West

14% of Canada’s population, are of Irish descent.
12% of Americans are of Irish descent (36 million)

Hurling, an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic and Irish origin is thought
to be the world's fastest field team game in terms of game play

DEMOGRAPHICS
87.4%  White Irish
7.5%    Other white
1.3%    Asian
1.1%    Black
1.1%    Mixed
1.6%    Unspecified
0.7%    Irish Travellers (1700-2000)

84.16%  Roman Catholic
7.63%   None
2.81%   Church of Ireland
1.07%   Islam
0.54%   Presbyterian
0.99%   Orthodox
0.15%   Methodist

FAMOUS IRISH
Leaders
Brian Boru (943-1014)
Famous High King of Ireland
Founder of the O'Brian dynasty.

Writers
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Author of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’
Abraham "Bram" Stoker (1847 – 1912) Author of ‘Dracula’
William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)  A poet

HISTORY
Ireland’s history goes back for thousands of years.

Beginning from 600 B.C. the island was inhabited by Celtic groups.
The Gaels eventually became dominant.

From 600 B.C.-1168 A.D culture and society were centered around clans.
The country was divided into different Tuatha(Kingdoms) each with its own king.
Over all of them was the Ard Ri (High King).

During the 1st century A.D. Rome conquered much of the island of Britain
but they were never able to conquer Ireland.

During the 4th century Rome withdrew from Britain
After the withdraw, Ireland often launched raids.
During one of those raids St. Patrick (387-c 460) was captured and taken to Ireland
as a slave.
After six years he escaped and returned to Britain.
Years later Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary and spread the Christian faith.

In 563 the Irish abbot Columba (521-597) founded a monastery on the Scottish
island of Iona.
The monastery played a crucial role in the introduction of Christianity to Scotland.

From 800-1166 Ireland suffered from frequent raids from the Vikings.
The Vikings established several settlements including Dublin.

The Vikings were never able to gain full control of Ireland and their influence
declined during the 11th century.

During the 12th century the Normans invaded Ireland and established a feudal system.

During the 14th -15h centuries Norman settlements went into decline and Gaelic
culture revived.

During the 16th century England conquered Ireland after 60 years of war.
Many English and Scots settled in northeastern Ireland.

During the 17th century there were a series of intertwined wars that took
place in England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Thousands of Irish died during the wars and in the famines and plagues that resulted.
Over 50,000 were sent to slavery in the West Indies.

The wars and religious struggles left a deep sectarian division in Ireland.
Religious allegiance was considered to be a determination of one's political loyalty.
Irish Catholics suffered many restrictions.
These restrictions weren't eased until 1829.

In 1801 Ireland became part of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland)

Ireland was largely passed over by the industrial revolution, because it lacked
coal and iron.

During 1845-1852 a famine resulted in over a million deaths.
Over a million Irish immigrated to the U.S. escape the famine.
Ireland's population continued to decline until the mid 20th century.

From the 1870's Ireland went through a period of civil unrest over the plight of tenant farmers and redistribution of land.

The 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Irish nationalism, mostly
among the Catholic population.

From 1919-1921 the guerrilla Irish War of Independence was fought by the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) and the Army of the Irish Republic, against the British
government.
Both sides agreed to a truce on 1921.

In 1921 the Irish Free State became independent, although still part of the British Commonwealth.

In 1949 it became the Republic of Ireland.
Six northern counties remained within the United Kingdom and became Northern Ireland.

CONDITIONS
Ireland's economy focused on services and high-tech industries.
It is also dependent on trade, industry and investment.

Cattle, beef, and dairy products are important exports.
Ireland is the largest zinc producer in Europe and the 2nd largest producer of lead.

Tourism is also important.

Many immigrants and asylum seekers from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe have come to Ireland.

During the 90's Ireland went through an economic boost due to EU membership.
The new affluence only benefitted some.
Many have suffered due to the recession.
Many suffer from unemployment

There have been decades of tension and unrest with Northern Ireland.
Peace agreements have been made but there is still disunity.

Many suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction.
There has been an increase in depression and suicides

There is widespread ostracism of Travellers, a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin.
Less then 1% of them gain higher education.
Many Travellers suffer from bad health care
Over half of Travellers do not live past 39 years.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Over 80% of the population is Catholic.

When Ireland was divided between north and south, most Protestants immigrated
either to Northern Ireland or other countries.

For a long time it was considered that to be Irish was to be Catholic.

Over the past 30 years the influence of the Catholic Church has been declining,
although it is still strong compared to the rest of Europe.

For many church attendance is purely cultural.

Due to an influx of immigrants there has been a rise in other groups.

Ireland is becoming an increasingly secularized.
7.63% of the population don't believe in God at all.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that political leaders make wise decisions.
Pray that peace be maintained between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Pray that there be forgiveness and reconciliation

Pray that the economy improve.
Pray for those suffering from unemployment.

Pray for those suffering from alcoholism and or drug addiction.
Pray for those suffering from depression or contemplating suicide.

Pray that the Travellers be treated with equality and justice.
Pray for those who are suffering from illness.
Pray that they gain access to greater health care.
Pray that they gain access to higher education.

Pray that the churches experience a revival.
Pray that church members look to Jesus alone.