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Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland

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Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland

According to the 2011 Irish Census, 6% of Irish citizens are irreligious. Ireland has been traditionally devoutly Catholic throughout most of its modern history. This number is thought to be higher due to citizens describing themselves as "cultural Catholics". Religion is declining in Ireland.

A 2006 Dentsu poll found that 7% of Ireland had no religion. According to Greeley (2003), 5% of those in Ireland do not believe in God, but only 2% accept the self-identification of “atheist.” According to Ingelhart et al. (2004) and Davie (1999), 4% of the Irish do not believe in God.

In a 2007-2008 Gallup Poll, 42% of Ireland answered no to the question "Does religion occupy an important place in your life?" and in the 2011 Gallup, 53% of Ireland answered no.

A 2010 Bishops Conference survey found that 10.1% of Irish Roman Catholics did not believe in god.

According to a 2012 WIN-Gallup International poll, Ireland had the 2nd highest decline in religiosity from 69% in 2005 to 47% in 2012, while those who considered themselves not a religious person increased 25% in 2005 to 44% in 2012. The poll also showed that 10% of Ireland now consider themselves convinced atheists, which is a vast increase from 2005.

References

Irreligion in the Republic of Ireland Wikipedia