NORTHERN IRELAND
The island of Ireland includes two quite separate countries: the Republic of Ireland, which is independent from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom. About 2 million people live in Northern Ireland. The largest city, which also is the capital, is Belfast.
HISTORY
Northern Ireland was created in 1921, when Ireland was partitioned between Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland by an act of the British parliament. Unlike Southern Ireland, the majority of Northern Ireland´s population were unionists or loyalists, who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom, and most of these were Protestants. An important minority, mostly Catholics, were nationalists or republicans who wanted a united Ireland independent from Britain. And like this the island parted in to two borders. Later in 1960´s this developed. The Protestant majority was the country that had the best schools, the best jobs and best housing. This caused anger among the Catholic minority, and it began a conflict between these two communities, involving state forces and violence also known as “The Troubles”, which kept going for many years. In 1972, British soldiers shot down 26 Catholics participating in a peaceful march. This tragic event became known as Bloody Sunday.
HISTORY
Northern Ireland was created in 1921, when Ireland was partitioned between Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland by an act of the British parliament. Unlike Southern Ireland, the majority of Northern Ireland´s population were unionists or loyalists, who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom, and most of these were Protestants. An important minority, mostly Catholics, were nationalists or republicans who wanted a united Ireland independent from Britain. And like this the island parted in to two borders. Later in 1960´s this developed. The Protestant majority was the country that had the best schools, the best jobs and best housing. This caused anger among the Catholic minority, and it began a conflict between these two communities, involving state forces and violence also known as “The Troubles”, which kept going for many years. In 1972, British soldiers shot down 26 Catholics participating in a peaceful march. This tragic event became known as Bloody Sunday.