How did World War II affect Ireland compared with countries that fought in the war?

During World War II, Ireland maintained a policy of official neutrality under the leadership of Eamon de Valera, distinguishing its experience from the belligerent nations that were fully engaged in the conflict.1

While countries involved in the war faced direct military mobilization and total war economies, Ireland’s government focused on preserving its hard-won sovereignty. Despite this neutral stance, the country was not entirely insulated from the war's effects:1
* Security and Intelligence: Under the Emergency Powers Act of 1939, the government interned hundreds of IRA members and provided secret intelligence and other assistance to the Allies, as de Valera recognized that a German victory would threaten Irish independence.1
* Economic Impact: Ireland’s economy remained protectionist and nationalistic during and for some years after the war. Following the conflict, the country faced adverse conditions in export markets, which handicapped the expansion of Irish agriculture compared to the growth seen in other sectors.23
* External Pressure: The state faced significant diplomatic pressure from Winston Churchill and, later, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and even experienced German air raids on Dublin in 1941.1