Religion in Ireland (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes

Religion in Ireland

Overview of religious landscape

Ireland presents a complex religious picture that reflects both historical divisions and contemporary changes. The island can be described as religiously divided, with this division contributing to political and geographical boundaries between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Religious demographics

Major religious groups

Roman Catholicism represents the largest religious group across Ireland. Approximately 75% of the population in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland identify as Roman Catholic. This makes Catholicism the dominant faith tradition on the island.

Protestantism shows significant regional variation. In Northern Ireland, approximately 40% of the population identifies as Protestant, largely due to historical and political factors. The Protestant population in the South is considerably smaller and coexists peacefully with Catholics.

Other Christian denominations account for around 3% of the population in the Republic of Ireland. This includes the Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopal), along with smaller percentages belonging to Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and other Christian groups.

Non-Christian religions represent less than 2% of the population in both jurisdictions. This includes Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, among others.

Non-religious population comprises approximately 10-15% of Ireland's population, including those who identify as atheist, agnostic, or simply non-religious.

Historical context and division

Geographic and religious patterns

Northern Ireland consists of six counties: Armagh, Down, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Derry, and Antrim. These areas were historically Protestant in religious orientation. The remaining 26 counties that form the Republic of Ireland were traditionally Roman Catholic.

However, this historical pattern tells only part of the story. Northern Ireland actually contains roughly equal numbers of Roman Catholics and Protestants, with Protestants holding a small majority. This religious balance has contributed to centuries of struggle between the two communities, which has sometimes turned violent.

Common origins

Despite their theological differences, both faiths are Christian and therefore share fundamental beliefs about Jesus. Their differences lie mainly in areas such as the number of sacraments recognised and understanding of communion.

Current trends in religion

Increasing secularisation

Definition: Secularisation means becoming non-religious, and Ireland has experienced significant movement in this direction.

Key catalyst: The 1990s brought major scandals involving the Roman Catholic Church, particularly centred on child abuse and the Church's attempts to cover up these incidents. Many devoted Catholics began losing faith in the institution due to the widespread nature of these revelations.

Evidence of secularisation: Since the 1990s, Ireland has demonstrated increasing secular focus through several landmark decisions:

• The 2015 same-sex marriage referendum
• The 2018 8th Amendment referendum (legalising abortion)

Both referendum results contradicted traditional Roman Catholic moral teachings. Many observers suggest these outcomes would not have occurred so quickly without the impact of Church scandals on public trust.

Educational changes: The growth of Educate Together schools (secular schools) represents another indicator of secularisation. These institutions teach all religions with equal status. Additionally, the removal of baptism requirements for entry into religiously-governed schools means parents no longer need to have children baptised into specific denominations to access certain schools.

Religious diversity

Growth in Islam: Ireland has witnessed notable expansion of its Muslim population over the past 20 years. The 2016 Irish Census recorded Muslims as 1.3% of the entire population, totalling approximately 63,400 people. By the 2022 Census, this had grown to 81,930 Muslims, representing significant continued growth.

Orthodox Christianity expansion: The Orthodox Christian community has also experienced substantial growth. While specific 2016 census data was limited, anecdotal evidence showed increasing numbers of Orthodox churches and congregations. The 2022 Census confirmed this trend, with Orthodox Christians numbering 100,165.

Other religious growth: Hindu populations more than doubled between censuses, growing from 13,729 to 33,043 people.

Causes of religious diversity: The primary driver of this religious diversification has been economic immigration to Ireland over the past two decades. New arrivals have brought their faith traditions with them, introducing Ireland to religious practices previously uncommon in the country.

Buddhism's emergence: Buddhism is also growing in Ireland, evidenced by the increasing number of 'Mindfulness' classes in schools and colleges. Mindfulness represents one of the eight-fold paths in Buddhist dharma (teaching). Ireland may soon have its first Buddhist temple, with the Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Retreat Centre currently constructing a temple facility.

Practical implications

The growth of religious diversity requires practical accommodations:

• Construction of more mosques for Muslim communities
• Establishment of halal meat suppliers
• Increased Irish understanding of Islamic traditions and practices
• Orthodox Christian communities often share or repurpose existing church buildings

Key statistical trends

Ireland's religious landscape continues evolving rapidly. The 2016 and 2022 census data demonstrate clear trends towards both secularisation and religious diversification. Immigration, globalisation, and multiculturalism have contributed to this religious diversification, fundamentally changing the face of religion in Ireland.

These changes appear permanent and ongoing, suggesting Ireland's religious future will be markedly different from its traditional Catholic-Protestant dynamic.