Galway, Ireland

 

                                       

  

Pictured are: coast side property, scenic views, street music, shopping, people, small pubs, hostels and places to stay, greenery, cobblestones, colorful cement buildings (photos gathered from Tourism of Ireland websites and destination360 online).

Economy of Ireland

Agriculture

source: global.gov

As mentioned in the last post, agriculture is a major part of Ireland's economy. Much of the country's rich grasslands are used for pastures and producing hay. From knowing about the land and the culture of the country and the vast farmlands, many people are farmers. They tend to the land and raise livestock. I would think that livestock was the most popular economic contribution. However, from the indexmundi website, information about exports of the country are listed by year and product. The most recent year listed is 2011. Livestock and animal products were not the highest sum. Live Animals and Animal Products account for $5,515, 748, 764 (which is a large amount of money). The highest export sum (also of 2011) is that of Products of the Chemical or Allied industries, with $62, 085, 640, 639. I had to look up exactly what they were; the products include soaps, drugs, basic chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, etc. that are manufactured products.





















For more information on Agriculture, check out my previous post here:
http://skelly62015.blogspot.com/2015/03/agriculture.html

Agriculture

The Irish Agri-Food Industry

"The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) currently reports the agri-food sector in Ireland contributes a value of €24 billion to the national economy, generates 6.3% of gross value added, almost 10% of Ireland’s exports and provides 7.7% of national employment. When employment in inputs, processing and marketing is included, the agri-food sector accounts for almost 10% of employment." (Information from http://www.teagasc.ie/agrifood/)

Teagasc

Source: http://www.teagasc.ie/

Teagasc is the agriculture and food development authority of Ireland. Its website provides information about current research, education and training of Ireland's agriculture and food industry. They also have information about energy, its resources, and land use. 

Land Use Facts

• Irish agriculture is primarily a grass-based industry. 
• The Census of Agriculture 2010 early results just published showed there were 139,829 farms compared to 141,527 farms in June 2000. The utilized agricultural area increased by 2.8% over the ten year period.
• The land area of Ireland is 6.9million hectares, of which about 4.2million hectares is used for agriculture or about 64% of total land area and 745,456 hectares for forestry or about 10.8% of total land.
• Approximately 80% of agricultural area is devoted to grass (silage, hay and pasture), 11% (0.46 million ha) is in rough grazing and the remainder circa 9% (0.38 million ha) is allocated to crop production.
• Beef and milk production currently account for around 58% of agricultural output at producer prices.

*Note: 1 ha= 1 hectare= 10,000 sq. meters

Crops

Source: http://www.teagasc.ie/

Ireland is a net importer of cereal grains, but there is a very specialized and efficient group of growers producing grain in Ireland for the home market. Spring Barley is the most popular cereal crop grown by farmers and is used for the malting, seed and feed industries in the country for farm animals. Winter wheat, winter barley, as well as winter and spring oats are some of the other important grain crops produced for the agri-food industry. 

Potatoes

Source: www.potatoes.com

Potatoes have been an important part of Irish agriculture for many years; as know of the potato famine or Ireland affected many families in its previous history. Potato is the world’s third most important food crop with global acreage rising faster than that of any other crop due to its high yield potential and nutritional characteristics. Teagasc has been conducting research on potatoes since the 1960s. The "potato breeding programme" was initiated in 1962. It screens 100,000 seedlings each year. Thirty varieties for both national and international markets have been successfully developed. The primary potato disease remains Phytophthora infestans (late blight), it is responsible for €1,000,000,000 of annual losses in the EU alone. Teagasc conducts research on the ability of Irish strains to cause disease and how varieties respond to threats. They use the research in order to develop new farming techniques and create sustainable crops.

Other Goods

Source: http://www.teagasc.ie/

Other goods both imported and exported are milk, cattle, sheep, cows, pigs, and fertilizers. All information for this post was found on the Teagasc website. Their information was gathered in 2010  by a National Farms survey. Over 1,050 farms participated in the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS), these farms are weighted to represent a national population of approximately 99,500 farms. Overall 2010 was a good year for farming with average farm income up 46%, albeit from a very poor year in 2009. Average family farm income in 2010 is estimated at €17,771, while this represents an increase of 46% on 2009, it is only an increase of 5% on 2008 and a decline of 10% on 2007. 

Employment

Working in the food/ produce industry in Ireland, there are many job opportunities due to the composition of the land, the location of the country, and the people that live there. This chart shows the employment of the food industry in Ireland as of the year 2011:

Source: http://www.teagasc.ie/ 

The figures account for input, processing, and marketing aspects of the agri-food industry. As we can see, agriculture is the highest percentage. This would be due to the vast farming lands available to farmers, who can grow a variety of crops. Manufacturing would be next as there are many farmers who raise animals like cows, pigs, chickens, etc. and sell them for a profit. The animals are then made into food products like the beef we eat, the pork products and other meats. Cows are also used for their dairy products as well. The agri-food portion of Ireland contributes over €24 billion to the nation's economy. 

*Please note: Information in this post was gathered from the Teagasc website at: http://www.teagasc.ie/

Human Development

What is it?

Source: www.georgetown.edu

Human development looks at the success of countries across the globe. We see the results on the Human Development Index. Find out more about the HDI by clicking on the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYHow0VVeSQ. Human development grew out of global discussions on the links between economic growth and development during the second half of the 20th Century. By the early 1960s there were increasingly loud calls to “dethrone” GDP: economic growth had emerged as both a leading objective, and indicator, of national progress in many countries. The human development approach  is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live; it is focused on creating fair opportunities and choices for all people. Keywords are people, opportunity, and choice. The focus of the Human Development approach is improving the lives of people and giving them the opportunities to live the life they want, and one that they value. People make their own choices, and with human development have more choices to lead their lives happily, they are not forced to do so. 

Ireland and Human Development

Ireland has a total population of 4.63 million according to the most recent Human Development Report. There are several indicators listed including: health, education, income, inequality, gender, poverty, employment and vulnerability, human security, trade and financial flows, mobility and communication, environment, and demography. Three important indicators are health, education, and income.

Health

Life expectancy at birth in Ireland is 80.71 years old. The infant mortality rate, meaning the number of deaths per 1000 live births, is 3. What stood out to me is the adult mortality rates (per 1000 men/women). That of women is 51 and the same of men is 85. 

Education

The mean years of schooling in Ireland is 11.61. The expected years of schooling is 18.6. This is a huge gap. The percent of those aged over 25 with at least "some secondary education" is 79.6. 

Income

The Gross national income per capita (2011 PPP $) is 33,414.4. The gross domestic product (billions) is 196.86. 

Compared with the rest of the world

Migration and Immigration of Ireland

Migration

Demography looks at populations and how they change over time. One thing that impacts demography and populations is migration. Human migration is defined as the movement of people from one place to another, with the intention of settling there permanently. Often the move is overseas or long distance, but can also occur within a region. Migration occurs all over the world, and Ireland is no exception.

Immigration

Source: www.irishamericanjourney.com

During the 19th century, more than one half of the population of Ireland moved to the United States. This would categorize this group of people as "Irish Immigrants" because they left their homeland and moved into the United States. From 1820-1870, over 7 and a half million immigrants came to the United States and nearly all of them were from Europe. 

Why do people migrate? 

People migrate for a  number of reasons- Perhaps a new job opportunity, relief from civil unrest or conflict, or maybe in dealing with a hardship they experienced, they decide to move. This was true for many Irish immigrants. Many people, a majority in fact, lived on farms. They produced very little income for families to thrive on and many were poor. Potatoes became a popular food as many lived in poverty, and farms could produce them more rapidly. The crops though failed, and it led to a great famine and starving over 750,000 people to death. Over 2 million people moved to the United States seeking relief from their impoverished conditions. They boarded ships at Liverpool and began their transatlantic voyage to a new place. Immigrants moved to cities where they landed, mostly in the northeastern part of the  U.S., as they had no money to buy their own properties. The influx of immigrants, who were not only Irish, but other nationalities as well, made finding a job all that more difficult. Many had large families and created new lives for themselves in the US, but that was not without struggle either. 

(Information from www.ushistory.org)

Personal Touch

Source: inquiryunlimited.org

My grandfather was an Irish immigrant. Although his experience occurred years after the great potato famine, his experience still speaks to immigration and the things people went through to start over in a new place. At the very young age of 19 years old, my grandfather immigrated to the US. The year was 1949. He wanted to make a better life for himself and his future family. He left his parents and six siblings, not knowing when or if he would see them again. The journey would take him seven days by ship. He arrived in the port of Boston with only $8.00 in his pocket. Due to his limited education and work experience on a farm, there were little job opportunities offered. Luckily he lived with an aunt who had sponsored his entrance into Massachusetts, and he was able to have a home, with relatives, and food on the table. He ended up working as a busboy at a small restaurant and years later was employed at Polaroid. There he was able to make a stable income to support himself and was also afforded the opportunity to complete his education through the company. My grandfather is now in his eighties and has been happily married for 50 years. He created a large family who are all very close and live within 10 miles of each other. He often tells stories from his childhood and his experience as an immigrant. As a family, we are grateful that he did move to Boston other wise we would not be here. I'm sure many other families share the same sentiments as well. 

(You can find more information online and actual documents like the one pictured above online.)

Current Statistics (Most recent available)

Source: www.breakingnews.ie

People in Ireland continue to migrate elsewhere. This is due to educational and economic opportunities especially. According to the Central Statistics Office, in the year of 2013, about 55,900 people immigrated to Ireland, and over 89,000 emigrated out of the country.  The Net migration then is -33,100 people. Almost half of those that emigrated, were Irish Nationals. This means that they were Irish citizens. Using analysis they were able to determine that the majority of them were working or a student in the time prior to leaving. Knowing that other factors play a role in migration including but not limited to age, sex, education, and economic status. People now also are able to travel via airplane or another form of current transportation. 

(Information from www.cso.ie.)

Interesting Websites:

Looking for information on an immigrant? Massachusetts officials started recording the names of immigrants who arrived by ship in January of 1848, a procedure which continued until July of 1891, when federal records-keeping programs superseded those of the state. Although immigrants arrived at numerous Massachusetts ports, the Archives holds manifests for Boston, MA. Check out this link here to search by traveler's name, date, or ship name:   http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ArchivesSearch/Passengermanifest.aspx

Using the FamilySearch website, you can find Boston passenger lists of the years 1891-1943. It lists the name of the vessel traveled on and you are able to search by a first or last name, birthplace, or even with a particular life event. You can also view and download original passenger documents. Check it out here:

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1923995

Population Statistics of Ireland

Facts according to the World Factbook:

The population of Ireland as of July 2014 is 4,832,765. It is listed as the 123rd largest country in the world.

Source: blogs.independent.co.uk

Population growth rate: 1.2%

Birth rate: 15.18 births/1,000 population

Death rate: 6.45 deaths/1,000 population

Total fertility rate: 2 children born/ woman 

The median age is 35.4 years for males and 36.1 years for females

Source: www.afs.org.in

Urban population in Ireland is 62.2% of the total population and the largest metropolitan area is Dublin, the country's capitol (Pictured right), with 1.121 million people. 


The literacy rate, or number of people over the age of 15 that can read and write is 99%. This is according to statistics from the year 2003. 

The adult prevalence rate of obesity is 25.2% as of 2008 and the Unemployment rate is 24% for youths aged 15-24.

Source: www.baby-connect.com

Infant Mortality rate:3.74 deaths/1,000 live births 
Life expectancy at birth: 80.56 years
Total fertility rate: 2 children born/ per woman

Source: www.euro.who.int

HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects the immune system. Like many other countries in the world, it is not unheard of.  The adult prevalence rate is 0.2%. There are 6,900 people living with HIV/AIDS in Ireland as of 2003. However there have been fewer than 100 deaths. In Europe, the country with the highest death rate due to AIDS/HIV is the Ukraine with between 19,000 and 25,000 deaths.

Travel Information:

There are currently no travel health notices in effect for Ireland according to the CDC. Like all travelers, those traveling should eat and drink safely, stay safe outdoors, reduce their exposure to germs, and select safe transportation. Those traveling are also advised to stay away from farm animals.

3 Cultural Symbols

3 Symbols of Ireland

When people think of Ireland what they think of probably includes leprechauns, shamrocks, and St. Patrick's Day. As someone who has traveled there and visited often, there are things that remind me of the Irish countryside. These things remind me of Ireland and represent it's culture. These symbols are the Irish flag, the Claddagh Ring, and the Celtic Cross. 

The Ireland National Flag

Source: www.flags.net

The Irish National Flag is patterned in 3 equal colors of green, white, and orange. and modeled after the French tricolor, the flag itself is also known as the tricolor representing the Irish Nation. The green stripe symbolizes the Gaelic traditions of Ireland; standing for the Roman Catholics.  The orange color represents the followers of KingWilliam III or King of the Orange and his Protestant followers. The white stripe in the middle, represents the goal for peace between both the Catholic majority and the Protestant Minority. During the Irish War of Independence, the flag was flown and today is recognized as the country's national flag.  The green stripe is always places closest to the flag pole and flows freely among many Irish homes. 

The Claddagh Ring

Source: www.claddaghstore.com

The Claddagh Ring is worn by many Irish natives and those of Irish decent. It is composed of two hands clutching a heart, and a crown resting on top. The hands represent friendship; the crown, loyalty; and the heart, love. It also has a different meaning depending on the wearer's placement of the ring. The ring facing outwards means that the heart is open and that the wearer is single. The ring facing your own body indicates that the wearer is in a relationship, or taken. There are many legends as to how the ring originated. The one I am most familiar, depicts the tale of a man named Richard Joyce. He was born in Galway and went to work in the West Indies. He was in love with a woman and planned to marry her when he returned. However, shortly after leaving the ship he was traveling on was captured. Joyce was then sold as a slave to a goldsmith in Algiers. When William III became King, he ordered that British prisoners be released and Joyce was let go. While Joyce was away, he made a ring that represented his feelings for the woman he loved. When he returned home, he presented the ring to her and they married.  

The Celtic Cross

Source: www.megalithicireland.com

The Celtic Cross is a cross with a ring around the intersection and originates in Gaelic Ireland. There are many myths surrounding the origin of the Celtic Cross. It is believed by many that St. Patrick introduced the cross to convert pagan followers to Christianity. The ring around the middle representing life-giving properties of the sun; and therefore God, convinced many that they would be closer to God by being Christian. Irish monks resurrected the crosses during the 7th Century. The most famous Celtic Crosses include the Cross the of the Kells, and the Cross of the Scriptures. There are many different patterns and ornate designs engraved on the crosses as well. The Celtic Cross stands at religious places and typically associated with Christian Ireland. Earlier crosses were made of wood or metal. Today, made of stone, many mark the graves of Irish  men and women and many free standing crosses can be seen across the country of Ireland today. 

Pictured: The Cross of the Kells, County Meath