This study provides a profile of the educational system of Ireland. It is intended as background reading for University of West Florida officials involved with evaluating applications for admission of students from Ireland. The Irish educational system can be divided into primary (elementary), post primary (secondary), and tertiary education (higher education), basically a 6-(3-3)-3 system. Attendance is mandatory from age six to age 15, covering the years spent in the primary schools and in the junior cycle of the post-primary school. The free national schools, where most students receive their primary education, allow students to move at their own pace. At this level the Catholic religion is considered the most important of all subject areas. Other curricula include the Irish and English languages, mathematics, social and environmental studies, art and craft activities, music, and physical education. The three year junior cycle of the post-primary school provides students with a general education through a core curriculum of Irish, religion, civics, and physical education. Having completed the compulsory education, the student must decide whether to continue attending school for at least two more years or to seek employment and arrange to attend school part time. The student who decides to attend school full time and earns the Intermediate Certificate or the Day Vocational Certificate must then decide whether to pursue the academic track which leads to the Leaving Certificate or pursue another senior cycle program. The Leaving Certificate qualifies students for university admission. Ireland also has many programs for the mentally and physically handicapped and for adult education. (Author/RM)