Unresolved Problems

Religion "N. Ireland"

 

1. Invasions and wars have occurred throughout the history of Ireland.

 

A. The Celtics settled in Ireland around 400 BC, they were constantly invaded by the Vikings from 1016 BC to 800 AD.

 

B. In 1066 AD - French "Norman" invaders controlled the Celtics.

 

C. 1172- King Henry the 2nd of England declared himself Lord of Ireland

 

D. In 1534 King Henry the 8th of England broke from the Catholic Church and also declared himself king of Ireland

 

E. Most Irish remained devoutly Catholic but descendants of king Henry the 8th tried to force the Irish to give up Catholicism. After many battles, the English won and then gave away large parcels of Irish land to English Protestant settlers.

 

F. There was a split between religion and economics. The protestant minority controlled the wealth, while the Irish fell into poverty.

 

G. In 1921 England divided Ireland into 2 parts. The North remained English, but the South became " a free state." Although, England took the best fertile land for itself.

 

H. Today this problem continues! 2/3 of the people in N. Ireland are Protestant, and the rest are Catholic. Most Catholics want to reunify (kick England out of N. Ireland) Ireland, Protestants do not.

 

I. Extremists on both sides try to win with violence. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) use bombs to kill innocent people in N. Ireland to make their point and scare the British. This is terrorism!

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