Ireland OverviewMuggle Ireland in the 70s 
The 70s were a period of economic, industrial and political unrest in Ireland. The Troubles, or Northern Ireland Conflict, was escalating seeing an explosion of political violence such as the McGurk's Bar bombing. At the same time, women's rights, religious doctrine and economic growth dominated the public discourse.
Society at large was still ultra-conservative and highly influenced by Catholic values and doctrine. While women had the right to vote since 1918, women were still not allowed to work civil service or in the public sector after marriage until 1977. General societal expectation was for women to be mothers and homemakers. Women's rights were curtailed to the point of not even being allowed to drink beer in pubs. Husband were allowed to sell their wives property without consent until 1976.
However grim, the 70s were a decade of marked improvement in women's equality, though a far cry from a modern liberated society. Contraceptives became legal in 1985. Abortion or divorce would not become legal in Ireland until the late 1990s. LGBTQ rights were not even talked about and same-sex relationships were only decriminalised in 2003.
Economically the 70s were an improvement for many families. Consumer goods became more widely available and the average income per family increased notably. However, poverty was still present in large amounts of the rural population.
Magical Ireland By comparison, Magical Ireland was much more liberated and open minded. However, attitudes of the time were influenced by the surrounding muggle society, making Ireland a little more conservative than other magical societies.
Magical Ireland outside the province of Leinster (Dublin and surrounding areas) has retained more Irish language speakers than Muggle Ireland as witches and wizards were less affected by 18th and 19th century migration. The language is always referred to as 'Irish' though some foreign Muggle scholars may call it 'Gaelic'.
Irish witches and wizards may chose to educate their children at Hogwarts, but there are many who don't opting to homeschool their children or send them to smaller, Irish-language institutions found in Ireland's wizarding communities where children may be co-educated with other magical beings.
Ireland has a sizeable population of magical beings such as goblins, leprechauns and elves who are generally afforded more rights than in wizarding Britain and as a result are somewhat more visible in Irish magical society.
The Irish Ministry Ireland is a relatively undefined area in Harry Potter canon. In order to make things consistent across
Foe.Glass we have established our own site canon.
Ireland is its own wizarding sovereignty with its own government and Minister for Magic. The Irish Tithe an Oireachtais (houses of parliament) of the muggle government are supplemented by the Comhairle na Draíochta (Council of Magic), similar to how the British Ministry of Magic functions as a magical governing body in the UK.
The Comhairle na Draíochta has its main offices in Dublin, but also maintains a secondary presence in the city of Belfast.
People working for the Comhairle na Draíochta are commonly known as TDs in Ireland, short of Teachta Draíochta (Magic Official). In speech they maybe he addressed more formally as 'an Teachta Ní Dhomhnaill' for example. The Irish equivalent of the British Minister of Magic is known as the Taoiseach Draíochta (Chief of Magic).
Due to Ireland's and Britains shared history a number of functions are shared between the Irish and British ministry. As such, law enforcement works seamlessly between the two sovereignties. British Aurors and Irish Aurors have an established exchange program. Some non-essential functions like those performed by the Department of Magical Games and Sports are undertaken jointly. There has also been a longstanding collaboration between the respective Departments of Mysteries, to the point where Irish-born wizards have headed up the British department or British-born wizards the Irish department.
The Irish ministry features a Department of Goblins and Leprechauns (Roinn na Goblins agus na Leipreacháin) which handles the affairs of these magical beings in Ireland. They are generally afforded more rights in Ireland than in Britain and many members of the department are in fact Goblins, Leprechauns or halfbreed witches and wizards.
Glenbally Glenbally (Irish: Gleann Baile na Linne, valley place of the waterfall) is a wizarding village in County Wicklow about 30 miles (50km) from Dublin. Located in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains it is naturally difficult to access and guarded from discovery by muggles. Historically, the nearest muggle settlement was the Early Medieval monastic settlement of Glendalough, which has been abandoned since the 14th century.
Glenbally and surrounding areas are the site of various mines, digging for galena, iron, silver, semi-precious gems and of course the highly sought after magical moonstone.
Goblins have a notable presence in Glenbally and occupy a quarter of the village nearest to a silver and iron mine. Armour, swords and other items of goblin-wrought silver and iron are manufactured in the village to this day.
In the wizarding part of the village, the rich mines of the area have had an impact as well. Glenbally is known for its traditional metal charmers and alchemist tradition. For as long as the village has stood it has attracted witches and wizards on their quest to turn lesser metals into gold or precious gems into an elixir of life. As such the village has been visited on occasion by internationally famed alchemist Nicholas Flamel.
There are two lakes within easy distance of the village, usually referred to as the upper and lower lake. The lakes are occasionally visited by muggle tourists on pilgrimage to the abandoned, monastic, muggle settlement nearby. The area sets itself apart through its great natural beauty, spectacular scenery, and abundant wildlife. A little off the beaten path are Poulanass River and Waterfall. The local magical community prizes their fresh mountain water as especially potent in potion making.
The Glenbally area is surrounded by oak woodland. Some of the growth is natural, while parts of it was historicallyplanted by muggles for coppicing. Since the muggle presence in the area has diminished, wizards have been using the oak as wandwood. The forests are also a popular nesting ground of the Irish Augurey.
Not far from Glenbally is a ritual druid site known as the Finderry Druid Stones. The site is maintained by one of Ireland's oldest wizarding institutions, the Finderry Druid Council. The site consists of 8 sacred white oaks and a series of flat, smooth stones arranged in the circle and is believed to be located on top of a 'thin place', a location where casting and working magic is said to be easier. The Druid stones are freely accessibly to any witch or wizard who may need them.
Inis Cú There is a second wizarding settlement in Ireland found in the North-West in County Donegal. Named the same as the island it is found on, Inis Cú (English: Inishcoo) is part of the Gaeltacht, with most of the inhabitants speaking only Ulster Irish. The island itself located just east of the larger Árainn Mhór (English: Arranmore) and South-West of the small island of An tÍochtar (English: Eighter). Inis Cú is known for its beautiful beaches and luscious grasslands.
Historically, Inis Cú was once also inhabited by muggles, but recent migration pattern have caused the Gaeltacht population to decrease dramatically. Many muggles left in search of better opportunities in the more densely populated parts of Ireland. As such, former muggle buildings on Inis Cú and An tÍochtar have been claimed by wizards and the entire area is now covered in heavy muggle repelling charms.
The area in general has poor track record for enforcing the Statute of Secrecy despite the Irish ministry's best efforts and many a local muggle will have tale to tell of something utterly magical and impossible they have seen. In recent years Inis Cú has gotten two obliviators assigned to it, who work from a small, dedicated office on the island. Surrounding lands also have notable wizarding activity, with many wizards seeking out 'thin places' on Árainn Mhór or enjoying the cultural offerings in nearby Gaoth Dobhair.
Inis Cú might easily claim the title of being the most colourful wizarding settlement anywhere. The facades of houses are painting in bold and bright colours ranging from yellow, blue, green and red to vibrant shades of purple, pink and orange.
Business on Inis Cú is based primarily around cut herbs and flowers and maritime occupations. Central to the village is the pub and restaurant Grán Arcáin (English: Celandine) named after the yellow-flowered plant used in many healing potions. The menu of the Grán Arcáin is in keeping with its name and many flower-based dishes are served. Inis Cú also features a well-known basket- and wand maker: Fionnghuala's. The wands on sale are almost exclusively vine wands, with handles made from woven willow, a local coppice crop.