Located on the Atlantic fringes of western Europe, the island of Ireland for centuries has occupied a role of disproportionate significance in the history of European migration. At the beginning of the 21st century, the population of the island is about 5.5 million, yet it is frequently claimed that upward of 70 million people of Irish descent live elsewhere in the world, and there are reputed to be more churches named in honor of the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick, than for any other saint in Christendom. In 1901, 36% of all those born in Ireland were domiciled outside of their homeland. The equivalent figures for Scotland and England were 17% and 1%, respectively.

The country and its borders

During the Middle Ages, Ireland was the object of the Anglo-Norman conquerors, and from the time of the Norman invasion in 1167 through to the plantation of Ulster in 1609 the island gradually came into the possession of the English crown. In 1801 with the Act of Union Ireland was incorporated into the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland. In 1921, after many decades of political and even military strife, the British government granted 26 of the 32 counties in Ireland independence. In 1937 a new constitution established the Republic of Ireland. In 1973 Ireland joined the European Union. Until today, six counties in the northern province of Ulster remain part of the United Kingdom.