Early Christian Ireland (400-800)
Great changes marked Ireland starting in the 400's. Tradition tells us that in 432 Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland and worked to convert the Irish to Christianity. His mission was a succes and he set up churches across Ireland.The druid tradition collapsed and Irish scholars began their studies in Latin. In the 500s, some Christians sought a life of solitude from everyday life and this led to the setting up of monasteries. Many of the monasteries produced famous hand-written illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells which can be seen at Trinity College, Dublin. The people in Ireland were still the same Celts that had lived there before, only they were now largely Christian. In pre-Christian times, Ireland had been divided into over 100 small kingdoms, or tuaths. This early era is regarded as the " Golden age".
Formation of Ireland (12th century - 1960)
Before the Normans arrived in Ireland it was ruled through a system of small kingdoms that failed to create a sense of unity. In 1167 Henry II of England invaded Ireland with his army. This Anglo-Norman invasion is the start of the history of Anglo-Irish relations.
During the English war of the Roses (1455-1485), Irish leaders took the opportunity to extend their independence. However, when Henry VIII broke with Rome and the Pope he declared himself 'Head of the Anglican Church'. The Irish Catholics resisted and revolted against the Reformation, but their attempts were put down by Henry's army. By imposing this Reformation by force, Henry created further rreligious division.
In 1541, he was declared king of Ireland by the Irish parliament.
His daughter, Elizabeth I, continued her father's quest and found that Northern Ireland, known as Ulster, was a difficult area to bring under her rule. Finally, the soldiers of Ulstar were defeated by Elizabeth's army in 1603. New policies were attempted, including 'plantation' (= organised colonisation). Settlers from England and Scotland were given land confiscated from rebellious Irish families.
During the 17th century things became worse in Ireland. Catholics, in support of king Charles I, rose in rebellion in 1641, trying to take advantage of the turmoil of the English civil war (1642-1649). In 1649, Cromwell crushed the catholic army and killed many civilians which caused more biterness between Protestants and Catholics.
Great changes marked Ireland starting in the 400's. Tradition tells us that in 432 Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland and worked to convert the Irish to Christianity. His mission was a succes and he set up churches across Ireland.The druid tradition collapsed and Irish scholars began their studies in Latin. In the 500s, some Christians sought a life of solitude from everyday life and this led to the setting up of monasteries. Many of the monasteries produced famous hand-written illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells which can be seen at Trinity College, Dublin. The people in Ireland were still the same Celts that had lived there before, only they were now largely Christian. In pre-Christian times, Ireland had been divided into over 100 small kingdoms, or tuaths. This early era is regarded as the " Golden age".
Formation of Ireland (12th century - 1960)
Before the Normans arrived in Ireland it was ruled through a system of small kingdoms that failed to create a sense of unity. In 1167 Henry II of England invaded Ireland with his army. This Anglo-Norman invasion is the start of the history of Anglo-Irish relations.
During the English war of the Roses (1455-1485), Irish leaders took the opportunity to extend their independence. However, when Henry VIII broke with Rome and the Pope he declared himself 'Head of the Anglican Church'. The Irish Catholics resisted and revolted against the Reformation, but their attempts were put down by Henry's army. By imposing this Reformation by force, Henry created further rreligious division.
In 1541, he was declared king of Ireland by the Irish parliament.
His daughter, Elizabeth I, continued her father's quest and found that Northern Ireland, known as Ulster, was a difficult area to bring under her rule. Finally, the soldiers of Ulstar were defeated by Elizabeth's army in 1603. New policies were attempted, including 'plantation' (= organised colonisation). Settlers from England and Scotland were given land confiscated from rebellious Irish families.
During the 17th century things became worse in Ireland. Catholics, in support of king Charles I, rose in rebellion in 1641, trying to take advantage of the turmoil of the English civil war (1642-1649). In 1649, Cromwell crushed the catholic army and killed many civilians which caused more biterness between Protestants and Catholics.
Everything changed forty years later by the accession of James II. As he was a Catholic king, he was supported by the Irish. Unfortunately William of Orange, who was the Protestant husband of James' daughter, his troops defeated the Catholic armies of King James at the 'Battle of Boyne' and so he lost the throne to William. 'Penal laws' were passed, limiting Catholic property ownership, education and right to bear arms. During the 18th century, political turmoil and revolution in America and France fired the desire of Ireland for independence. This battle is still remembered in Northern Ireland today. The 'Orange Order' was established a century after the Battle of Boyne and commemorates the victory of Prince William of Orange.
The Great Famine
A famine occurs when a group of people die because of a severe shortage of food. The great Famine, which has had a deep effect on the Irish population, lasted five years between 1845 and 1850. In the 19th century most Irish depended on potato-farming but when the potato harvest was destroyed by blight all the poor people starved. By the end of the famine around 1 million people had died of starvation and another 1 million people were forced to emigrate to America. The Irish had bitter feelings towars the British Government because they believed it had done enough to help.
North-South Division
Throughout the 19th century, Ulster was industrialised in a similar way to the North of England. As such the Ulster economy wasn't as badley affected by the poor potato harvest as the west of Ireland. Therefore, people of Ulster found that the union with Britain had brought them prosperity. The Irish nationalists strived for independence from Britain, but the poeple of Ulster claimed they would rather fight than give up the union with Britain. This led to an even stronger division. After a long and violent struggle the solution to the Irish issue came in the form of the partition of Ireland into two parts under the Government of Ireland Act. This meant that the Southern part of Ireland became a Free State. The Northern part remained part of Britain. Finally, in 1949, full independence for Southern Ireland was achieved and declared itself a republic. The Irish Republic is completely separate and independent from Britain. Its government is located in Dublin.
From 1960 onwards
The Great Famine
A famine occurs when a group of people die because of a severe shortage of food. The great Famine, which has had a deep effect on the Irish population, lasted five years between 1845 and 1850. In the 19th century most Irish depended on potato-farming but when the potato harvest was destroyed by blight all the poor people starved. By the end of the famine around 1 million people had died of starvation and another 1 million people were forced to emigrate to America. The Irish had bitter feelings towars the British Government because they believed it had done enough to help.
North-South Division
Throughout the 19th century, Ulster was industrialised in a similar way to the North of England. As such the Ulster economy wasn't as badley affected by the poor potato harvest as the west of Ireland. Therefore, people of Ulster found that the union with Britain had brought them prosperity. The Irish nationalists strived for independence from Britain, but the poeple of Ulster claimed they would rather fight than give up the union with Britain. This led to an even stronger division. After a long and violent struggle the solution to the Irish issue came in the form of the partition of Ireland into two parts under the Government of Ireland Act. This meant that the Southern part of Ireland became a Free State. The Northern part remained part of Britain. Finally, in 1949, full independence for Southern Ireland was achieved and declared itself a republic. The Irish Republic is completely separate and independent from Britain. Its government is located in Dublin.
From 1960 onwards
From the beginning the Stormont Parliament was dominated by Protestants. Irish Catholics, who where in a minority, found that they did not have equal opportunities. In 1969 civil unrest in Belfast led to a three-day explosion of nationalist rioting in Derry. A political response came in the shape of the joint 'Downing Street Declaration' that stated support for equality and freedom from discrimination. However, the hostility between the two groups became worse. In 1972, the British sent in the British army to keep the peace. Many people have died. One of the most remembered events is ' Bloody Sunday'. British soldiers opened fire on Catholics during a civil rights march in londonderry.
The Anglo-Irish Agreement was an important step in the peace-making process. It confirmed that Northern Ireland would remain independent as long as that was the will of the majority. After many years of violence, especially by the IRA (Irish Republican Army), unionists, loyalists, nationalists and republicans sat together in 1997 to seek a solution. These negotiations resulted in the Good Friday Agreement. Unfortunately it did not stop violence. The whole world was shocked by the Omagh bombing in 1999 by the RIRA. Six years later, the IRA finally agreed to decommissioning.
The Anglo-Irish Agreement was an important step in the peace-making process. It confirmed that Northern Ireland would remain independent as long as that was the will of the majority. After many years of violence, especially by the IRA (Irish Republican Army), unionists, loyalists, nationalists and republicans sat together in 1997 to seek a solution. These negotiations resulted in the Good Friday Agreement. Unfortunately it did not stop violence. The whole world was shocked by the Omagh bombing in 1999 by the RIRA. Six years later, the IRA finally agreed to decommissioning.