Introduction

The first part of this chapter introduces the Celtic tiger boom, presenting facts and figures on trends in economic growth rates, average incomes and employment with international comparisons, as well as trends in unemployment, emigration and immigration. The second part of the chapter sets out the approach and structure of the book. It notes that the general approach is to treat Ireland as a relative latecomer to economic development and it explains what that implies. It then sets out the structure of the book, outlining the content and issues to be included in each chapter. It is noted here that a fundamental objective of the book is to explain what caused the long boom.