Ireland is changing as it ages

ANY lingering doubts about the increasingly multi-ethnic face of Irish society are well and truly dispelled

With immigration rising, non-nationals now account for nearly 6% of the population, underlining the need for communal tolerance.

In contrast with the growing strength of minority religions, the percentage of Catholics fell by over 3% to 88.4% of the population, or 3.4 million people.

Remarkably, the number of Muslims has increased fourfold to 19,000.

In another sign of the times, 138,000 people said they were non-believers, a dramatic increase of 72% over the decade since 1991.

Despite having Europe’s youngest population, Ireland is ageing. And because of skewed policies by successive governments, over half of the population is now living in Leinster.

With more than two million people living in a broad swathe around Dublin, no wonder the capital is permanently grid-locked. And no wonder the quality of life is deteriorating for thousands of people who commute daily to work in this rapidly changing Ireland.