UK History - Northern Ireland
Ireland was initially conquered in the late twelfth century by
Normans acting on behalf of Henry II of England, although England’s
rule and influence was limited until the practice of ‘settlement’
began in the seventeenth century. This involved large-scale immigration
by Protestant Scots to the province of Ulster in the north-east
of Ireland, and confiscation of Irish land and its subsequent handover
to the English nobility. The movement for Irish independence led
to the agreement in 1921 to divide Ireland into Northern Ireland
and the Republic of Ireland. In 1969 violent conflict flared in
Northern Ireland between Nationalists (people in favour of a United
Ireland, mainly Catholics) and Unionists (people who wish to remain
part of the United Kingdom, mainly Protestants). Paramilitary ceasefires
were declared in 1994 eventually leading to peace talks. In 1998
a multi-party agreement was reached, and approved by the majority
of Northern Irish people. A new political era began when power was
officially handed over to a joint government of Unionists and Nationalists
on 2 December 1999.
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