This is stereotyping an entire country.

Ireland, the Celtic tiger, has maintained one of the fastest growing GDP rates in the world and I believe it is the fastest in the EU. Mostly due to a large IT boom, it now has a per capita GDP which exceeds that of the U.K.

-Rudey

Thanks for mentioning the Celtic Tiger, Rudey. A few months ago I had the privilege of meeting Mary Robinson who was the President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 when the Irish economy began to grow. Throughout the 1980s many Irish emigrated to other countries because there were few jobs in Ireland. One of her proudest experiences as President was watching the economy turn around and seeing so many Irish return to their homeland because of these new jobs.

There is a really good book called How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. It describes how the monks preserved great works of literature that would have been lost during the Dark Ages in Europe. I found it fascinating especially since I have seen the Book of Kells but was unaware of its important role in history. I think that this book describes an advanced civilization.

But as the article said, this scientist believes Ireland (Atlantis) was mixed up with a small island that DID sink around 6100 BC.

From the article:
"Erlingsson believes the idea that Atlantis sank came from the fate of Dogger Bank, an isolated shoal in the North Sea, about 60 miles off the northeastern coast of England, which sank after being hit by a huge flood wave around 6,100 B.C.

"I suspect that myth came from Ireland and it derives from Dogger Bank. I think the memory of Dogger Bank was probably preserved in Ireland for around 3,000 years and became mixed up with the story of Atlantis," he said.

I think this is sort of on topic:

My fiance works for a company headquartered in Bermuda. Because SO many companies try to put their HQs there, his company is looking at other options. I think the Caymans is one, and he mentioned the other was Ireland. I guess they do the tax-break, too? (Sorry, I'm blissfully ignorant of that stuff! :) )Regardless, he might get an expat package in a few years - I'd love to live in Ireland for a while!