Author: Michael Green

Michael Green is Manager of The Information about Ireland Site
News from IrelandLeave a comment

Ireland is Tenth Best Educated Country in OECD

Michael Green

One of the many consequences of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ economic boom in Ireland during the late nineties and early part of the new century was that there was a lot of investment in education. A recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) measured the extent to which the population of a country held a college or college equivalent degree. Between the years 2000 and 2010 the percentage of people with a higher level qualification in Ireland almost doubled, increasing at an annualized average rate of 7.3% – an amazing increase by any standard and this is … Continue reading Ireland is Tenth Best Educated Country in OECD

News from IrelandLeave a comment

Unfinished ‘Ghost Estates’ a Huge Problem in Ireland

Michael Green

The property boom that gripped Ireland during the 1990’s and the early part of the new century had a dreadful far-reaching effect when property prices crashed. The leading banks in Ireland had to go cap-in-hand to the Government for a bail-out which in turn bankrupted the economy and resulted in extensive loans being required from the EU/IMF ECB troika. On a wider perspective the property crash decimated the economy but also caused a lot of problems on a micro level too. Many Irish couples bought starter apartments in the hope that they could move to a bigger house when their … Continue reading Unfinished ‘Ghost Estates’ a Huge Problem in Ireland

News from Ireland1 Comment

Further Crackdown on Welfare on the Way

Michael Green

It is a sign of the economic times that social welfare is again being targeted by a broke Irish government. Years of austerity, cutbacks and tax hikes have not yet been enough to balance the books in Ireland so the next target is those people who have already lost their jobs. The ‘Jobseekers Allowance’ is usually paid for 12 months after unemployment begins but it is likely this will be cut to 9 months after which time the allowance will become subject to a ‘means test’. Such an individual examination of a persons income is likely to result in the … Continue reading Further Crackdown on Welfare on the Way

Stories2 Comments

Terror 1974 – a story by Michael Collins

Michael Green

There was laughter in the car. The vehicle sped up the main road from Dublin to Belfast. And there was laughter in the car. They were on a mission. Pat and Mick. Yes, Pat and Mick, even though it sounds like the start of a thousand crude music-hall jokes. They had an appointment in Belfast. Pat was the literary dreamer from the far West of Ireland. Mick was third-generation English-born Irish, catapulted back from the land of his birth to the land of his worthless grandfather. Unlike many using the road, Pat and Mick were well educated, the one young … Continue reading Terror 1974 – a story by Michael Collins

News from Ireland2 Comments

The Changing Face of Irish Religion Revealed by CSO Statistics

Michael Green

The Central Statistics Office has released more figures from the 2011 census that has highlighted the changing makeup of religion in Ireland. * The number of agnostics or atheists has increased dramatically and now represents 5.9% of the population * Catholics represent 84.2% of the population, the lowest percentage ever recorded * Muslims account for 1.1% * Non-Christian religions in Ireland account for 1.9% Other highlight from the 2011 census include: * There were 42,854 more females than males in the State in April 2011 * Immigration by Irish nationals was 19,593 in the year to April 2011 * Immigration … Continue reading The Changing Face of Irish Religion Revealed by CSO Statistics

History, PeopleLeave a comment

Daniel O’Connell – The Life and Times of The Liberator 1775 – 1847

Michael Green

By Anthony Lynott Daniel O’Connell, affectionately known as The Liberator or The Emancipator was an Irish political activist. His activism and many accomplishments spanned a period of almost 50 years beginning in the latter part of the 18th century. He would be mostly known for his campaign for, and achievement of, Catholic Emancipation, followed by his unsuccessful campaign for the repeal of the Act of Union that formed the Union of Great Britain and Ireland. O’Connell was born August 6, 1775 at Carhen near Cahirciveen, County Kerry to Morgan and Catherine O’Connell of Derrynane. At one time a wealthy landed family, … Continue reading Daniel O’Connell – The Life and Times of The Liberator 1775 – 1847

Stories2 Comments

‘The Outsider’ – An Irish Story by Michael Collins

Michael Green

The morning air had a quality only found on an island: cool yet warmed by the rising sun and the rocks still giving off yesterday’s heat. The three men tramped up the gravel track, the slope steeper as they neared the western end of the island. The sun was diagonally behind them, low enough to pick out in detail every feature of this rough and ready place. To the left the light was reflected in a sparkle from the surrounding seas. Ahead the cliffs rose to breast the Atlantic. To the right the bulk of the island swelled steeply upwards … Continue reading ‘The Outsider’ – An Irish Story by Michael Collins