Wow............this question is insulting.

Ireland (the Republic) is not part of the UK and hopefully never will be again because the British tried and almost succeeded to destroy our culture.They tried to wipe out our native language and ban the playing of our national sports e.g hurling.

As for us not being modern??? you are barking up the wrong tree altogether. A recent study shows that Irish people benefit from the best education system in Europe.This means there are smart people here that help to advance technology etc. As a matter of interest Irish students in Trinity College Dublin created the first prototype for the Niccotine patches to help give up smoking. We have an upto date transport system with many airports,great roads,good train systems and the Luas.

We do not need a channel tunnel from Ireland to the Uk. a waste of money and effort. If you want to go from one place tothe other get a ferry or a plane.Prices are cheap.It takes less than an hour from dublin to someairports in the Uk and flights are very cheap......

You also said 'how am i meant to no about Ireland'.

Well then how did you know it was part of the Uk and that Ireland is close to the Uk in physical distance, and that it is not up to date with the rest of the world.Why the hell did you ask this question???

I know you are asking a question to educate yourself etc. but thats just retarded.