Ireland civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Ireland with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
The Constitution, the Oireachtas, the Taoiseach and the President of Ireland.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital city of Ireland?
Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland, and the seat of the Oireachtas.
What is the title of the head of the Irish Government?
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government. The Tánaiste is the deputy, and Uachtarán is the Irish word for President.
What is the name of the Irish national parliament?
The Oireachtas
The Oireachtas is made up of the President and two houses: Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.
How long is the term of office of the President of Ireland?
Seven years
The Constitution sets a seven-year term for the President, who may serve a maximum of two terms.
In which year was the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann) adopted?
1937
Bunreacht na hÉireann was approved by referendum in 1937 and replaced the Constitution of the Irish Free State.
History 5 questions
From the Great Famine and the Easter Rising to independence, the EEC and the Good Friday Agreement.
In which year did the Easter Rising take place in Dublin?
1916
The Easter Rising began on Easter Monday 1916, when the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read outside the GPO in Dublin.
The Great Famine of the 1840s was caused mainly by the failure of which crop?
Potatoes
Potato blight destroyed the main food source of much of the population from 1845, causing mass death and emigration.
Which state was established in 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty?
The Irish Free State
The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 led to the creation of the Irish Free State in December 1922.
In which year did Ireland join the European Economic Community (EEC)?
1973
Ireland joined the EEC, now the European Union, on 1 January 1973, together with the United Kingdom and Denmark.
In which year was the Good Friday Agreement signed?
1998
The Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement was signed on 10 April 1998 and approved by referendums on both parts of the island.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
The River Shannon, the Irish language, the tricolour, the harp and ancient heritage sites.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
What is the longest river in Ireland?
The River Shannon
The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, flowing from County Cavan to the Atlantic at Limerick.
What are the colours of the Irish national flag?
Green, white and orange
The tricolour has vertical bands of green, white and orange, symbolising peace between traditions.
Which musical instrument is the official emblem of the Irish State?
The harp
The harp is the State emblem. It appears on the presidential seal, Irish euro coins and official documents.
According to the Constitution, what is the first official language of Ireland?
Irish
Article 8 of the Constitution says Irish is the national language and the first official language. English is the second official language.
Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in County Meath includes the passage tomb of Newgrange?
Brú na Bóinne
Brú na Bóinne, in the Boyne Valley, contains the passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. It became a World Heritage Site in 1993.
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