'Cool Hibernia'

To be honest, I can't really follow a lot of what this guy is trying to say. But, I did find this bit interesting:

There is hope, however. The model of "Cool Britannia" in the late-90s has been replaced by the keen, goal-oriented capitalism of "Cool Hibernia." Ireland's unprecedented economic growth, fueled by the likes of Ryan Air, is a stunning example of common sense put into practice. What social conditions are necessary to reach the heights of "Cool America"?

Is this the same Ireland that I live in? I don't deny RyanAir's success, but "keen, goal-oriented capitalism of 'Cool Hibernia'"? This is the same Ireland that may be about to experience electricity shortages due to strikes?

Try this:

Rather than worry about old age pensions, government-funded healthcare schemes, and what more government could do for us, we must realize that we as individuals are best positioned -- both in terms of efficacy and morality -- to handle our own needs.

Economics reveals the true passions and interests of individuals. We must come to know ourselves through the marketplace, and more success than failure is sure to follow. Perhaps tiny Ireland has discovered a drug to cure our "insanity."

The author of this piece is a Wexford (that's Pennsylvania) native and an associate professor of politics and government at the University of Maryland in Europe (Norfolk, England).

I don't think he's seeing the full picture when it comes to his "Cool Hibernia". Or I suppose I could ask what drug exactly has he found here?