Irish History and Irish Facts

For historians, Irish history is just another part of European history. But for the people living there, Irish history defines them. The battles they fought, the divisions the country has suffered over the years, the peace processes they engaged in – all these describe a history full of conflict, but also full of hope.

Irish history begins in 8000 BC, when archeologists can place the first settlements on Irish soil. The missionary Saint Patrick marked an important period in the country’s religious profile because he was the one who brought Christianity on Irish land. Not even the Vikings could dominate the strong and fierce people of Ireland because, after a century of constant invasions from the Nordic tribes of Europe, the Irish settlers eventually dominated the invaders.

There are lots of Irish facts that make a wonderful history of those lands, like the one that explains how sectarian conflict has become so popular in Ireland. The first sectarian conflict began when Scottish and English Protestants migrated from their countries and settled in Ireland, a country that was predominantly catholic. At that time, the ruler of Ireland was a prince named John Lackland, but also known as Lord of Ireland. He was given the title directly by the Pope. In this context, the protestant settlements created a new rivalry between Catholics and Protestants, a rivalry seen even today.

Irish history tells us that a rivalry that was born even centuries ago can still live in the present. The Irish people experienced an Irish Civil War and a War of Independence. They also suffered from a very bloody conflict knows as the 'The Troubles', in a period of massive ethnic, religious and political differences. A fragile peace was established in the 90’s, but tensions still rise to the surface from time to time.