Why is Ireland divided into two parts? Whats the story behind it?

Question

I found from Wikepidia that it has happened in 1921, but why?

Answer 1

This is a very simple question that has an extremely complex answer. Essentially there were two main communities in Ireland. The majority Catholic community, which was the main body of the population, and the Protestant community, who effectively had the power and ruled. Both communities saw themselves as Irish, but the Protestant community also saw themselves as British. This can still be seen in Northern Ireland today. Some of the answers above mention England a lot when it would be more accurate to say Britain or the United Kingdom. The Protestant King James VI of Scotland, who became King James I of England was partly responsible for what became known as 'the plantation' of Protestant people into the North of Ireland. Many of these folk can trace their origins back to Scotland. The Irish struggle for independence from Great Britain is a long and bloody story, with the recognition of Catholic rights with Catholic emancipation, the horrors of the Potato Famine and the exodus of many Irish people from the land of their birth, not to mention the people who died during the fighting itself. It should be noted however that history is never clear cut. Many of the foremost movers for Irish independence were themselves Protestant like Charles Stewart Parnell. So the desire for freedom wasn't always split down religious sectarian lines. During the years after the First World War, Britain finally relinquished its hold on most of the island of Ireland. My understanding is that the six counties that comprise what is now called Northern Ireland voted to stay within the United Kingdom, as at the time they had a predominately large Protestant population who saw themselves and still see themselves as being British and Irish. In recent years the Catholic population in the North is approaching, or may even have overtaken, parity with the Protestant community, so change, through peaceful means using the democratic process, may one day see the reunification of Eire without the strife and bloodshed seen in the past.

Answer 2

Until 1921, Ireland was English territory. The English would not let the Irish speak their language, practice their religion, or even dance. That's why step dancing looks like only their feet are moving. If they were behind a bush, it would look like they are jumping.) England moved many English Protestants into the area who took large chunks of land for themselves. Most of these people were concentrated in the North. The Irish Republican Army, IRA, fought to get the English out of Ireland and to leave the country to the Irish because the English kept the Irish poor and illiterate in their own country. Round about the Potato Famine, some Irish had had enough. I'm not exactly how long they'd fought, but by 1921, England gave the south back to Ireland and it became the Republic of Ireland. England still retains the north as part of Great Britain since majority of that area were originally English and Protestant and did not want to be part of the Republic. A cousin of my great grandmother, Johnny Redmond, was the first Vice President of the Republic.

Answer 3

It goes back a lot further than 1921. Try researching 'the Battle of the Boyne' and 'Oliver Cromwell in Ireland' and you will see the roots of the conflict go way back into the history books.

Ireland has been used as the battleground between catholic and protestant factions in Britain time and again, and this is one of the root causes of the problems.

There are many other causes; Catholics in Ireland wanting to be separate from the UK, but protestants just as vehemently wanting to stay part of the UK. This led to partition in 1921, which created it's own problems.

Answer 4

It goes back to partition in 1922. There are 32 counties in the whole of Ireland. 23 counties wanted to break away from the British crown, and set up the Irish Free State, or Eire. The remaining 9 counties made up Ulster, or Northern Ireland. In order to appease the Irish Free State, Winston Churchill subdivided Ulster and gave 3 further counties - Donegal, Cavan and Leitrim to Eire, leaving 6 counties in Ulster to this present day.

Answer 5

England held Ireland in part of its empire, although there was continuous rebellions, which made Michael Collins famous. When England held Ireland the brought a lot of protestants to Ireland which is a catholic country, a common tactic in Empires. Eventually after a number of uprisings by the irish gorilla fighters, the English decided to give the irish back there country only to keep northern ireland. To this day there is violence and religious hatred between the 2 countries.

Answer 6

Because the Brits conquered Ireland like thousands of years ago. I have Irish blood too and really think this sucks. Northern Ireland is Protestant and controlled by the Brits. Eire or the Republic of Ireland is Catholic and controls itself. I bet you the day the two Irelands will become one will be the same day Israel and Palestine solve their problems and live as friends. Sound hopeful enough?

Answer 7

The short history is:

England conquered Ireland during the height of their power but lost the south in the Irish rebellion. Thus the part that England was able to hold onto was North Ireland.

Answer 8

It is too long and boring to go into - I guess Searching the web would be a better idea.. But to cut a long story short.. Eire (Southern Ireland) is a Catholic country and Northern Ireland (Ulster) is predominantly Protestant & part of the United Kindom.

Answer 9

Basically the majority in the north wanted to remain under British rule while the majority in the south wanted to be independent.
This is a very simplistic synopsis. The reality is much too complex to go into here. Get your self a good book on recent Irish history.

Answer 10

A simple thing called democracy. The majority of people in the North wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom. They were also well armed, and well trained - a large number of their young men had just returned from fighting in WWI. They did not want to join a majority Catholic country which sought to have the Catholic church in a position of political authority, and many said that they would fight tooth and nail to prevent them leaving the union.