how did the northern ireland conflict start? what was the cause?

Answer 1

This is a short potted answer. There are many other factors, some of which you can read about in the attached link.

The origins of the conflict go all the way back to the 17th century when England under the Protestant protectorate of Oliver Cromwell finally succeeded in subduing the Irish who had been in constant rebellion. His regime was extremely harsh, for example he executed the entire population (including women and children) of Drogheda. The last hope of a Catholic Ireland was crushed at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when William of Orange defeated the Catholic James II.

Much of the north of Ireland became colonised by Scots and English Protestants, which then served to divide this part of the country from the predominant Catholic Irish populace, both religiously and economically, as the Protestants tended to hold the better agricultural land.

The early 20th century saw Protestant fighting Catholic on the issue of home rule. The Protestants feared a majority Catholic rule and the Catholics wanted total independence for a united Ireland. This period saw the creation of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) as we know it today. In 1921 a treaty was signed which split Ireland into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, which became a republic in 1949.

An uneasy peace lasted until 1968/1969 when violence flared in Londonderry and Belfast. This lasted through into the 90's and became known as "The Troubles".

Answer 2

The roots of the conflict are going way back to medieval times. The English colonized Ireland and because the northern part was the most rebellious lands from the local aristocracy and landowners was taken and given to Protestant colonists (planters).

After the Republic became independent the North was left out because the majority of the people were Protestant and did not want to join the new republic.

For a long time the Catholic population was discriminated against. Inspired by the civil rights movement in the USA they organized their own civil rights movement in the 1970s which led to violence, rioting, internment and caused Britain to put the province under direct rule.

I used to live in Belfast (for a short while) and the population is still segregated along ethnic (Irish v British) and religious (Catholic v Protestant) lines. Apartheid is still going strong in Northern Ireland.