
What are the groups invloved in Ireland religious conflict?
the Troubles, also called Northern Ireland conflict, violent sectarian conflict from about 1968 to 1998 in Northern Ireland between the overwhelmingly Protestant unionists (loyalists), who desired the province to remain part of the United Kingdom, and the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic nationalists (republicans), who wanted Northern Ireland to become part of the republic of Ireland.
Is Ireland still really religious?
Republic of Ireland abandoning religion faster than almost every other country in the world. Worldwide, only Vietnam experienced a greater drop in those describing themselves as religious.
What is in the main religion in Ireland?
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- Henry McDonald Nov 29: Brexit might be why Bertie Ahern has joined the unionist bashing
- Owen Polley Nov 27: Windsor Park 1993 NI-Republic football match was case study in nationalist myth making
What are the reasons for religious conflict?
- Ensuring commitment to dialogue between the (5+1) group and Iran.
- Seeking a comprehensive, fair, appropriate and long-term solution.
- Follow the principle of solution step by step and alternately.
- Creating a suitable atmosphere for dialogue and negotiation.
- Ensuring a comprehensive approach to address the symptoms and root causes of the crisis.

What are the conflicts in Ireland?
List of wars and rebellions in IrelandYear(s)ConflictNotes1870–93Land War1916Easter RisingPart of the Irish revolutionary period1919–22Irish War of IndependencePart of the Irish revolutionary period1922–23Irish Civil WarPart of the Irish revolutionary period21 more rows
Why is Ireland considered a space of religious conflict?
The republican Catholics were fighting to break away from British rule and create a unified Irish Republic. The themes of this conflict are pervasive throughout history-persecution, ethno-religious conflict, and rebellious uprising. This event is unique, however, in the proximity, both in terms of time and space.
What was the IRA fighting for?
The Irish Republican Army (IRA; Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann), also known as the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and informally as the Provos, was an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland, facilitate Irish reunification and bring about an independent, socialist ...
Which two religions are in conflict in Northern Ireland?
However, the main conflict in Northern Ireland, which impinges on all other conflicts to a certain extent, is the conflict between the Protestant and Catholic communities.
Why do Catholic and Protestant fight in Ireland?
Unionists and loyalists, who for historical reasons were mostly Ulster Protestants, wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. Irish nationalists and republicans, who were mostly Irish Catholics, wanted Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland.
How does religion affect Ireland?
In Ireland, there is no official state religion, and the Irish Constitution guarantees the individual's freedom to profess and practise a religion. Nonetheless, the Catholic Church and the Irish state have a longstanding historical, cultural and political connection.
Why is Ireland divided?
In the December 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won the overwhelming majority of Irish seats. In line with their manifesto, Sinn Féin's elected members boycotted the British parliament and founded a separate Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann), declaring an independent Irish Republic covering the whole island.
What ended the troubles in Ireland?
1968 – 1998The Troubles / Period
Is Ireland still under British rule?
The southern region became the Irish Free State, which, despite its name, was still a part of the British Commonwealth. In 1937, the southern region became the sovereign nation of Ireland (or the Republic of Ireland). It joined the European Union in 1973 and is still a member nation today.
Does the IRA still exist?
It is an illegal organisation in the Republic of Ireland and designated as a proscribed terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Who were the IRA against?
In 1969, the more traditionalist republican members split off into the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin. The Provisional IRA operated mostly in Northern Ireland, using violence against the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army, and British institutions and economic targets.
Is Ireland Catholic or Protestant?
Ireland has two main religious groups. The majority of Irish are Roman Catholic, and a smaller number are Protestant (mostly Anglicans and Presbyterians). However, there is a majority of Protestants in the northern province of Ulster. More Catholics than Protestants emigrated to New Zealand.
Why were churches excluded from the political process in Northern Ireland?
The wholly exclusion of churches from the political process in Northern Ireland because of internal disagreement anticipation over resolution was far fetched because they were used as feed back contacts during decommissioning and on how conflict history should be portrayed.
What is Northern Ireland's past?
Northern Ireland’s past is distinct by its religious conflicts that began the time when Celtic pagans realized their customs and religion cluttered by Christians with scripture and wielding swords. When Ireland was under British rule in the 18th century, the prohibited Catholics not to hold office in the parliament of Ireland, a rule that ran for another century up to 1829 when it was reversed. And then the acquirement of parliamentary majority by Catholics was the beginning of routinely passing legislation in opposition to birth control and divorce to implement church ideology.
What led to the Catholic organization and counter attack in 1790s in the Ulster south region?
With the permission of Catholics to trade and purchase land which had been banned previously, attacks from Protestants increased on the community that led to catholic organization and counter attack in 1790s in the Ulster south region.
How did the penal laws affect the British Protestants?
The political dominance of British Protestants was guaranteed by the endorsement of the penal laws that curtailed legal, political and religious rights of Catholics and other Anglican church of Ireland (state church) dissenters like Presbyterians. The fall of the penal laws at the end of the 18th century increased land rivalry due to the lifting ...
Why did the Nationalists hailed the army?
In the start nationalists received and hailed the army as they had lost trust in the police force to act impartially, but later the heavy handedness of the army soured the relations. Violence political explosion peaked in 1972 in Northern Ireland with hundreds of civilians losing their dear lives.
When was Ireland under British rule?
When Ireland was under British rule in the 18th century, the prohibited Catholics not to hold office in the parliament of Ireland, a rule that ran for another century up to 1829 when it was reversed.
Who blamed the LRA for the escalation of violence?
The escalation of violence was blamed on the Provisional LRA by the unionists who argued that the LRA’s new role was to defend the catholic community instead of looking for working class alliance across both societies as was the goal of the officials.
What was the United Irishmen's war?
While the United Irishmen has noble ideas about uniting religions, it was more an alliance of Presbyterians and Catholics against Anglicans. Still a religious war, just with the sides switched a little.
What is the history of Ireland?
In fact the history of Ireland is basically the history of Protestants and Catholics warring among each other. There are numerous incidents where Catholics or Protestants were killed solely because of their religion. There is a serious problem in separating actions based on religion from those based on nationality.
Why were Catholics dispossessed?
While it is true that the dispossession of Catholics was also a factor, they were dispossessed because they were Catholics and given to people on condition they were Protestants. In response Oliver Cromwell massacred thousands of Catholics.
What was the battle between the two kings?
The War Of The Two Kings (1689-1691) was fought over whether the King would be a Catholic or a Protestant. This culminated in The Battle of the Boyne which is celebrated to this day a victory of Protestants over Catholics. The Catholics received aid from France because both countries were Catholic.
Did the paramilitaries claim religion was important?
Not their political opinions. The paramilitaries claimed religion was not important, but then again they claimed they did not target innocent civilians, something they blatantly did. They should be judged on their actions not on their words, regardless of how noble they may sound.
Is a Catholic a nationalist?
It is almost unheard of for a Catholic to be a Unionist or a Protestant to be a Nationalist (there are one or two exceptions but the rule holds in the overwhelming number of cases). Religion has hugely affected Irish history. It has caused war, violence and the deaths of thousands.
Was the Yeomanry a nationalist rebellion?
Also, the Yeomanry which suppressed the uprising was comprised of Protestant Irishmen which shows it wasn’t an entirely nationalist rebellion. In fact civil war would probably be more applicable. 1916 and the War of Independence are claimed as nationalist wars, yet few Protestant Irishmen fought in the IRA.
What was the religious conflict between the Irish and the British?
For centuries, Ireland has struggled to gain its independence from the United Kingdom, which is ruled by the king or queen of England. At an early point in history, this conflict began to take on a religious pitch.
What was the struggle in England?
From Henry VIII's rule onward, the struggle in England (which included Ireland at this time) was one of religious context. Though he was succeeded by both Catholic and Protestant monarchs, each one - regardless of religious affiliation - persecuted "heretics" with burning, hanging, imprisonment and various grisly methods of torture. This prompted many to leave England in search of new land where they could practice their religion without the fear of oppression.
What was the bloody history of the Protestant Revolution?
Though temperatures have cooled slightly between the two countries, the bloody history of the Protestant Revolution in England can be linked directly to the modern-day conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
When did England give the Irish independence?
In 1921 , England signed a treaty with Southern Ireland to make it an "Irish Free State.". Though this did not grant the country complete independence, it did release tension and gave some measure of governing power back to the Irish.
Who was the king of Ireland in 1541?
Henry VIII was also named King of Ireland by Irish Parliament in 1541 after crushing a rebellion led by Thomas Lord Offaly who had attempted to organize a Catholic crusade against the newly Protestant king.
Who took control of Ireland in 1167?
Prior to 1167, Ireland was ruled by a system of small kingdoms. In this year, however, King Henry II of England invaded and took control of the island. The Irish staged several revolts and fought for their independence over the course of many centuries.
What was the Church of England founded on?
In the early 14th century, King Henry VIII - seeking divorce from his wife, Queen Catharine of Aragon - broke with the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England. This religious organization was based on the Protestant teachings of Martin Luther and John Calvin, with the king in power over the Pope. Henry VIII was also named King of Ireland by Irish Parliament in 1541 after crushing a rebellion led by Thomas Lord Offaly who had attempted to organize a Catholic crusade against the newly Protestant king.
How many people were Catholic in Northern Ireland?
Two-thirds of its population (about one million people) was Protestant and about one-third (roughly 500,000 people) was Catholic. Well before partition, Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, had attracted economic migrants from elsewhere in Ireland seeking employment in its flourishing linen-making and shipbuilding industries.
When did Ireland become independent?
In 1920, during the Irish War of Independence (1919–21), the British Parliament, responding largely to the wishes of Ulster loyalists, enacted the Government of Ireland Act , which divided the island into two self-governing areas with devolved Home Rule-like powers.
What are the counties of Ulster?
Of the nine modern counties that constituted Ulster in the early 20th century, four— Antrim, Down, Armagh, and Londonderry (Derry)—had significant Protestant loyalist majorities; two— Fermanagh and Tyrone —had small Catholic nationalist majorities; and three— Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan —had significant Catholic nationalist majorities. In 1920, during the Irish War of Independence (1919–21), the British Parliament, responding largely to the wishes of Ulster loyalists, enacted the Government of Ireland Act , which divided the island into two self-governing areas with devolved Home Rule-like powers. What would come to be known as Northern Ireland was formed by Ulster’s four majority loyalist counties along with Fermanagh and Tyrone. Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan were combined with the island’s remaining 23 counties to form southern Ireland. The Anglo-Irish Treaty that ended the War of Independence then created the Irish Free State in the south, giving it dominion status within the British Empire. It also allowed Northern Ireland the option of remaining outside of the Free State, which it unsurprisingly chose to do.
What is Northern Ireland?
What would come to be known as Northern Ireland was formed by Ulster’s four majority loyalist counties along with Fermanagh and Tyrone. Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan were combined with the island’s remaining 23 counties to form southern Ireland.
Who wrote the book The Troubles?
WRITTEN BY. Jeff Wallenfeldt. Jeff Wallenfeldt, manager of Geography and History, has worked as an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica since 1992. See Article History. Alternative Title: Northern Ireland conflict. The Troubles, also called Northern Ireland conflict, violent sectarian conflict from about 1968 to 1998 in Northern Ireland between ...
Did the Scottish and English settlers assimilate with the Irish?
Unlike earlier English settlers, most of the 17th-century English and Scottish settlers and their descendants did not assimilate with the Irish. Instead, they held on tightly to British identity and remained steadfastly loyal to the British crown.
Is it illegal to fly the Irish flag in Ireland?
Neither Irish history nor the Irish language was taught in schools in Northern Ireland, it was illegal to fly the flag of the Irish republic, and from 1956 to 1974 Sinn Féin, the party of Irish republicanism, also was banned in Northern Ireland.
What is the dominant religion in Ireland?
Updated December 28, 2019. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Ireland, and it has played a significant political and social role in the community since the 12th century, though the Constitution guarantees the right of religious freedom. Of the 5.1 million people in the Republic of Ireland, a majority of the population—about ...
What is Protestantism in Ireland?
Protestantism in Ireland is focused heavily on self-reliance and responsibility for oneself. Members of Protestant denominations are able to communicate directly with God without first interacting with a spiritual leader, placing the responsibility of spiritual learning on the individual.
Why is Catholicism declining?
In the past 40 years, Catholicism has seen a dramatic decline, particularly in the younger generations, as a result of Church scandals and progressive socio-political movements. Additionally, as immigration to Ireland increases, populations of Muslims, Hindus, and non-Catholic Christians continues to grow.
What are the scandals in Ireland?
In Ireland, these scandals have included mental, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of children, the fathering of children by priests, and major cover-ups by members of the clergy and of government.
What was the first Celtic deity?
According to Irish folklore, the first Celtic deities, the Tuatha Dé Dannan, descended into Ireland during a thick fog. The deities are thought to have left the island when the ancient ancestors of the Irish arrived. During the 11th century, Catholic monks recorded these Irish mythological stories, altering the oral histories to reflect Roman Catholic teachings.
How many people are Catholic in Ireland?
Of the 5.1 million people in the Republic of Ireland, a majority of the population—about 78% —identifies as Catholic, 3% are Protestant, 1% Muslim, 1% Orthodox Christian, 2% unspecified Christian, and 2% are members of other faiths. Notably, 10% of the population identify themselves as nonreligious, a number that has continued to increase.
When was the Catholic Church removed from the Constitution?
Though reverence for the Catholic Church was explicitly removed from the Constitution in the 1970s, the document retains religious references. However, progressive political changes, including the legalization of divorce, abortion, and gay marriage, have mirrored the decline in practicing Catholics.
