The Irish Green Party glories in the bilingual name "Green Party/Comhaontas Glas". The Irish language version of the name actually translates as "Green Alliance", which was the party's name prior to 1987. One of Ireland's youngest parties, they nonetheless have a respectable representation in the National Parliament (6 TDs), and in the European Parliament (2 MEPs).
The party traces its origins back to the Ecology Party of Ireland, formed in 1981 by a Dublin schoolteacher who was active in the Vegetarian Society, the Esperanto movement, and Friends of the Earth. Although the party is much changed from those days, it was still known as the EPI when it defined its core principles:
The EPI changed its name to the Green Alliance/Comhaontas Glas in 1983, and assumed its current name in 1987. Some founding members left as the organisation directed its efforts towards the electoral process, rather than grass roots campaigning. The party won its first Dáil seat in 1989, and have had at least one deputy ever since. Their success in 1994 of having two candidates elected to the European Parliament was a major breakthrough, and both of these MEPs successfully defended their seats in 1999.
The Green Party are certainly going to play a greater role in Irish politics in the future, as environmental and European issues become more important (the Greens being one of the largest groupings in the European Parliament). However at present their support base is not strong outside of middle class areas, and the larger urban areas. In order to achieve their electoral potential, they will need to get their message out into the world of agriculture (organic farmers notwithstanding), and broaden their appeal to the urban working class.
Since I wrote this I've actually become a member of the Green Party. As yet I don't have any reason to revise anything above, but I may add an insider's perspective some time in the future.