The island of Ireland is famous for its timeless beauty, the variety of
its landscape, its quiet towns and lively cities, the poetic and
literary genius of so many of its citizens, its music and folklore, and
its colorful and bloody history. What is also true is that the Irish
people have in many ways changed in recent years, while retaining the
scars and proud memories of their past, and their thriving national
culture. Twenty-first century Ireland, North and South, is the product
not only of its history and culture, but also of massive political
change, remarkable efforts to heal centuries-old animosities, a
metamorphosis in social and religious attitudes, and the dramatic peaks
and troughs of a transformed economy. Until the late twentieth century
Southern Ireland's economy was essentially rural, tied to the UK; the
North, a place of heavy industry. Then came the so-called "Celtic
Tiger," springing forward into a largely new type of economy that reaped
colossal rewards. New industries arose, old industries disappeared. This
was followed by financial collapse in the first decade of this century,
worse than almost any country in Europe. Helped by its friends, and, at
least in the South, by governmental and popular acceptance of savage
austerity measures, Ireland survived. Today the Republic is a major
target for US and European investment. Businesspeople and visitors who
don't know Ireland will find this book an invaluable introduction to the
people, the country, and the economic opportunities it offers; while if
you think you know Ireland and the Irish you will find plenty here to
broaden and deepen that knowledge, and also plenty that will surprise
you.
