This publication examines the educational system of Ireland. It discusses the system's legal basis in the Irish Constitution, structure, attendance requirements, primary and secondary school programs, teacher education, special education programs for the physically and mentally handicapped, vocational schools, religious and community schools, school finance, universities, and some major trends in education from 1974-76. Community schools, one recent feature of the Irish educational system, provide comprehensive secondary education for all 12-19 year old pupils in a given area and also make facilities available for adult education and community development projects. Other developments since 1974 include progressive reduction of the pupil/teacher ratio in primary schools, provision of individual curriculum of studies on the secondary level, addition of two colleges to the university system, expansion of special education programs, and creation of 19 teacher's centers to aid inservice teacher training. (Author/DB)