Northern Ireland History, Troubles and the Solution

The North Channel coast south of Torr Head, Northern Ireland

I. Geography & Population Area Area 14,139 sqkm 14,139 sqkm Total amount of population Total amount of population 1.64 million 1.64 million Capital city Capital city Belfast Belfast

Ulster Museum in Belfast

Queen ’ s University in Belfast

Grand Opera House in Belfast

Geographical features Terrain Terrain low hills low hills central lowlands and Lough Neagh central lowlands and Lough Neagh lake district in the south-west lake district in the south-west Lower/Upper Lough Erne Lower/Upper Lough Erne the Giant ’ s Causeway the Giant ’ s Causeway

High columns of the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland.

“Steps” of hexagonal basalt columns formed by the rapid cooling of lava upon contact with the sea, the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland.

People in N.I. Social lives Social lives normality with additional troubles normality with additional troubles low murder-rate low murder-rate lowest wealth per head lowest wealth per head large-scale manufacturing industries large-scale manufacturing industries

II. History Early Ulster Early Ulster Celtic Kingdom of Ulster Saint Patrick the 5 th century A.D.

Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Normans Viking Raids from late 8th century Norman colonies and end of Gaelic Irish state

1169 King Henry II invasion 1169 King Henry II invasion 1171 Claimed sovereignty over Ireland 1171 Claimed sovereignty over Ireland 17 th century Ulster Plantation 17 th century Ulster Plantation uprisings and repressions uprisings and repressions late 18 th c. ideas of French Revolution late 18 th c. ideas of French Revolution to create an “ independent religiously tolerant state ” to create an “ independent religiously tolerant state ”

Changes of the name of the U.K. Changes of the name of the U.K The United Kingdom of GB and Ireland 1921-now The United Kingdom of GB and Northern Ireland

Efforts to pursue independence Efforts to pursue independence 1912 the 1 st and 2 nd Home Rule Bill 1912 the 1 st and 2 nd Home Rule Bill 1914 the 3 rd Home Rule Bill 1914 the 3 rd Home Rule Bill 1916 the Easter Rising 1916 the Easter Rising 1919 IRA 1919 IRA Sinn Fein Sinn Fein 1920s Irish Free State 1920s Irish Free State

Conflicts in Northern Ireland Conflicts in Northern Ireland Religious difference: Religious difference: Catholics (40%) Catholics (40%) Protestants (60%) Protestants (60%) Ethnic difference: Ethnic difference: Irish Irish British (English & Scottish descendants) British (English & Scottish descendants)

Differences between Irish & British Differences between Irish & British Irish British Irish British Origin Celtic Anglo-Saxon, Norman Religion Catholics Protestants

Differences between Northern & Southern Irish people Differences between Northern & Southern Irish people Northerners Southerners Northerners Southerners Origin Scottish, English & Irish Celtic Religion Protestants & Catholics Catholics Identity British (& Irish) Irish 1921 Partition in Ireland

Flag of the Republic of Ireland

Catholics vs Protestants in 1960s 1960s 1960s Catholics ’ Civil Rights Movement Catholics ’ Civil Rights Movement Protestants ’ counter demonstration Protestants ’ counter demonstration the 1st group of British soldiers into Northern Ireland the 1st group of British soldiers into Northern Ireland

British soldiers vs Irish Effects of British soldiers ’ entry on Irish Effects of British soldiers ’ entry on Irish Division in IRA Division in IRA Official IRA Official IRA Provisional IRA Provisional IRA Upgrade of British armed forces in Northern Ireland Upgrade of British armed forces in Northern Ireland

Catholics vs Protestants since 1970s Illegal parliamentary groups by Protestants Mutual revenges Gettoised regions Impossibility of integration

Attempts by Irish & British government 1971 “internment” policy adopted by Northern Irish government —— mistake 1972 “Bloody Sunday” 1973 power-sharing mechanism —— collapse direct rule from London

Parliament House at Stormont, east of Belfast, Northern Ireland

Towards a Solution? 1980s IRA ’ s flare-up of hunger protest 1980s IRA ’ s flare-up of hunger protest “ the Bullet and the Ballot Box ” “ the Bullet and the Ballot Box ” The intervention of Southern Irish The intervention of Southern Irish 1. Suspicion of Southern Irish government by Protestants agreement between British & Southern Irish government 3. “ Ulster says no ” by Protestants 4. Late 1980s and early 1990s bomb attacks in London 1993 the Downing-Street Declaration 1993 the Downing-Street Declaration

Good Friday Agreement Good Friday Agreement power sharing attempts in 1970s & 1980s power sharing attempts in 1970s & 1980s peace talks in Belfast in 1998 peace talks in Belfast in 1998 Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) independent entity governed by 3 jurisdictions independent entity governed by 3 jurisdictions Northern Ireland Assembly Northern Ireland Assembly assembly suspended on several occasions assembly suspended on several occasions (e.g. 14 October 2002 until 7 May 2007 ) (e.g. 14 October 2002 until 7 May 2007 )

Statue of Reconciliation

Questions for consideration Open discussion Open discussion Why is Northern Ireland so important to U.K.? Can you show its importance in different aspects? Why is Northern Ireland so important to U.K.? Can you show its importance in different aspects?

Elizabeth II, 1985.