FOREWORD

As Peter Neville writes in his detailed and fascinating book, the ancient name of Ireland is Erihu. Translated, it means "the most beautiful woman in the world." Like other beautiful women, Ireland was coveted and fought for. She was admired, despised, imitated, sought after and viciously attacked. The metaphor is strengthened not only by the mysterious and attractive nature of the country, but also by the fact that it is one of the most prolific in the world: the sons and daughters of Ireland are scattered around the globe from Boston to Melbourne, from Liverpool to Toronto.

Ireland has a unique geographical position: no European country has climbed so far to the west. The hurricane must have blown it into the Atlantic Ocean, they also made the Emerald Isle so green. For the legions of Imperial Rome, Ireland was a little further away than they would have liked. While other peoples of the British Isles experienced Roman power, the Irish escaped such a fate. The characteristic Celtic culture of the island, however, was not kept in an isolated cocoon. The Romans failed to set foot on this land, but the Vikings, Normans and especially the British succeeded.

The leitmotif of Ireland's history is the tension she experienced in playing two conflicting roles. On the one hand, Ireland was the victim of foreign aggression. She was even made a silent participant in the colonial struggle, when the Protestant colonists in the north acted as a counterweight to the Catholic, potentially rebellious majority. The headache of British politics is the Ulster problem, epitomizing bloody episodes in Irish history, including Cromwell's invasion in the 1640s and the looting of the Black and Browns in comparatively recent times. Anglo-Saxons and Gaels, Protestants and Catholics have been at war with each other for centuries.

On the other hand, Ireland has been an active and often enthusiastic partner in the spread of the English language and British influence throughout the world. Especially after the union of 1800, when the Irish - Catholics and Protestants - joined the British political, economic and imperial life. Irish members of parliament sat and still sit in the House of Commons, Irish generals commanded Irish units in the era of the empire's conquest campaigns, suppressed the freedom of peoples, with whom Irish nationalists later shared common views. The Industrial Revolution, the famine years, and the massive urbanization of Britain forced hundreds of thousands of Irish people across the Irish Sea in search of work and a better life.

Opposition to Anglo-Saxon dominance never faded, even as the Irish grudgingly acknowledged English supremacy in the British Isles and throughout the empire. The resistance movement, in which now only the IRA remained, continued for many years, and the Irish - whether at home, or in the United States, or in Australia - used every opportunity to harm British interests. The attitude of the British changed - from violence to kindness, from tolerance to contempt, from admiration to ridicule.

The eventful and complex past of the Irish is well presented in this lively and engaging book. Ireland is the source of many legends, but its history is often more surprising than any fiction. This is a country of poets, playwrights and novelists, but at the same time a country of eloquent politicians, famous warriors and unbending rebels. The Republic of Ireland has become an integral part of the European Community. The Irish recently elected a woman as their president for the first time. Despite the vagaries of history, Ireland has always been an extremely hospitable country, and those who visit it are delighted.

Denis Judd

CHAPTER 1

From Tara to Saint Patrick

Geography

Ireland is the western tip of the group of islands known as the British Isles. Nevertheless, it is distinguished from England, Wales and Scotland by peculiar characteristic features. From the north (Ulster) to the southwest (the wild coast of County Kerry), the country stretched 350 miles, and from the northwest to the southeast, 200 miles. Ireland is washed by a large sea - the Irish - and one of the world's largest oceans - the Atlantic.

The sea has had a defining influence on Ireland throughout its history. No point on the island is more than 100 miles from the sea.

Ireland has a temperate climate, neither too hot nor too cold, although the country's southwest boasts subtropical vegetation. Three mountains rose above 3,000 feet, and a series of low mountain ranges stretched along the coast. The space, enclosed in mountain rings, is a low swampy plain with large reserves of peat. This is the only natural resource of the island. Unlike England, Wales and Scotland, there is no coal or iron ore here, but peat deposits are the best in Europe.

The evolution of ancient peat deposits was a long process. It began when the glacier left the territory of central Ireland, leaving behind small lakes. Over time, the lake vegetation withered, regenerated and turned the old lakes into swamps (like Norfolk) and peat bogs. Ireland once had about 311,000 hectares of peatland (for centuries, peat cubes were cut there and used as fuel), but by 1985 only 54,000 acres remained. The peat bogs were disappearing at an alarming rate. Their economic value is evident in a country without coal deposits. In 1921, the country gained independence, and peat began to be used as fuel for power plants built on Ireland's largest river, the Shannon. Ireland did not soon realize the historical and ecological value of peatlands. It turned out that the peat bogs of the central plain are not only a huge reserve of rare plants and birds, they are also a repository of human remains and artifacts from 9000 BC. Even now, peat fire, along with clover, is a symbol of Ireland.

Modern Ireland is divided into four provinces: Ulster, Leinster, Connacht and Munster (Munster). In the medieval period, a fifth province was mentioned - Meath, or Midland, with time it disappeared. Nevertheless, the names of the surviving provinces, like much else in Ireland, have ancient roots. In the distant past, according to legend, the northern half of the island was known as Leth Cuinn ("Share of Conn", after the mythical hero Conn), the southern half was called Leth Moga (or "Share of the Magician" in honor of another mythical hero named Mag Nuadu ). Leth Cuinn became the northern provinces of Ulster and Connaught, and Leth Moga became the southern provinces of Leinster and Munster.

Political section

After the Boer War (1918-1921), Ireland was divided, with the six northern counties (Armagh, Antrim, Down, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry) remaining part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is often referred to as Ulster, but this is incorrect because of the nine counties of Ulster, three (Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan) became part of independent Ireland. In Northern Ireland, or the "Six Counties", two thirds of the population are Protestants (1.6 million people practice this religion) and a third are Catholics.

Unusual, like the country itself. We are not going to retell the entire chronology of the formation of Ireland, but it is necessary to note the milestones that greatly influenced the country. Indeed, in the historical "today" of any country, its relationship with the past is necessarily traced.

In Ireland, its historical face appeared already several thousand years before the birth of Christ, which was represented by stone structures (megaliths or dolmens) of the Neolithic era.

A feature of this period is an unusually large number of such structures in Ireland. In total, over 1,000 megalithic structures have been discovered here. The best known of these are Poulnabrone dolmen in Buren National Park, Glantane East in County Cork, and Knot in County Meath. By the way, in the building, one of the oldest maps of the moon, made on stone, was found.

The first weighty description of Ireland was given already in the 2nd century AD in the writings of the historians of Rome (Tacitus) and Ancient Greece (Ptolemy), where they mention several tribes of Celts who appeared here in the 1st millennium BC.

From the 5th century, it begins to convert to Christianity. And this is not only the merit of St. Patrick, who is considered the baptist of Ireland, but also other, no less famous Saints, such as St. Columba, and others.

Ireland by this time was divided into numerous petty kingdoms. But, surprisingly, in 697, in the town of Birr, County Ofali (Co.Offaly), an agreement was adopted between these rulers “On the innocent” (Low of the innocents). This treaty indicated the prohibition of violence against the civilian population during internecine wars. Considering the year in which this treaty was made, its intentions properly characterize the Irish.

Ireland during this period becomes a very important center of monastic life and learning throughout Europe, with the main monastery on the island of Iona. Now this island belongs to Scotland, and the time we are describing is considered the "Golden Age" of Ireland and is characterized by an unprecedented flowering of the culture of early Christianity, including metalwork, stonework and writing manuscripts.

The most famous and well-preserved such book is considered to be the Book of Kells or the Book of Columbus, which was written in the Kells Monastery, County Meath, founded by St. Columba of Iona himself.

Most likely, this book was started in the monastery of the island of Ionne, but due to the Viking raids, the monks, led by St. Columbus, moved to Kells Abbey (Kells Abbey), where the book was finished (800 AD). This is one of five versions of the location of the book.

Now, this amazing manuscript is kept in the Library and can be viewed at a special exhibition.

Approximately, mass Viking raids date back to this time, as a result of which many monastic settlements were plundered, such as, for example. To expand their conquests, the Vikings found their settlements - cities. So, for example, the city was founded, approximately in 988. And only in 1014, the combined forces of the Irish, led by King Brian Boru, defeated the Vikings near Clontarf.

A little later, Clontarf Castle was built in this area, which is now located within the city and turned into a 4-star hotel.

Due to the death of King Brian himself during the battle, the Irish could not resolve the issue of uniting the country after the victory. Moreover, one of the petty kings, asked for help from the Anglo - Normans, who "helped" establish their own dominance. As a stronghold of their power, the Anglo-Normans built castles on the occupied territory, some of which, such as King John's Castle in Limerick, have survived to this day.

By the 16th century, the Anglo-Normans had, in fact, already dissolved into the Celtic culture. But a new trouble came to Ireland in the person of the British, who, having strengthened power in England, were able to establish dominance over the island of Ireland. This was done by the English King Henry VIII (King Henry VIII).

In the next post

The island position and proximity to Britain largely determined the history of Ireland. The island has been inhabited for approximately 7 thousand years.

The Mesolithic culture was brought with them by hunters from Britain, who were the first settlers on the island. Behind them, in the 3rd millennium BC, came the farmers and pastoralists of the Neolithic era. A wave of Celtic invasions swept the island in the 6th century. BC. The country was fragmented into more than 150 kingdoms, and although the Celts failed to unite Ireland politically, they laid the foundations of linguistic and cultural unity.

The introduction of Christianity in the 5th c. associated with the name of St. Patrick. Ireland did not know the barbarian invasions of the early Middle Ages, and this is partly why the 6th and 7th centuries. were marked by the flourishing of learning, art and culture, the centers of which were concentrated in monasteries.

In the 9th-10th centuries. the country was subjected to regular Viking raids, which, due to its fragmentation, could not resist. The Vikings imposed tribute throughout Ireland, but at the same time, being engaged in trade, they contributed to the development of urban life in Dublin, Cork and Waterford. The end of the domination of the Vikings was put by the victory of the High King ("Ardriage") Brian Boru at Clontarf in 1014, however, the emerging trend towards the creation of a single state was stopped in 1168 by the invasion of the "Normans" - English barons, descendants of the North French knights. It was they who placed almost 3/4 of Ireland under the political control of the English crown and for 400 years planted their own culture, introducing their own laws and institutions of power (including parliament). 1297 was marked by the opening of the session of the first Irish Parliament in Dublin. In 1315, Ireland was occupied by the Scots and Edward the Bruce proclaimed himself king, but soon died. In 1348, about 1/3 of the island's population died from the plague. In 1541, Henry VIII of England proclaimed himself King of Ireland. Since that time, the erosion of the Irish clan system has accelerated sharply. The religious changes that took place in England were reflected in Ireland, and although the descendants of the Normans, called the "old Englishmen", did not accept the Protestant Reformation, the Irish Anglican Church was formed in the country.

Revolts broke out in the country more than once, which had a national and religious background, but they all ended in defeat, and in 1603 the Gaelic resistance was finally broken, and the English crown for the first time managed to politically unite all of Ireland.

Another uprising in 1649 ended with the complete defeat of the Irish by the troops of Oliver Cromwell and massive land confiscations. In 1688, most Irish Catholics came out in support of the deposed English Catholic King James II, but they were defeated at the Battle of the Boyne (1690). Protestants belonging to the Anglican Church monopolized power and land ownership in the country.

In 1798, under the influence of the French Revolution, a new uprising broke out in Ireland, led by Wolf Tone, aimed at creating an independent republic. It was suppressed and Ireland lost the remnants of political autonomy.

In con. 1840s As a result of a poor potato harvest, famine struck Ireland: in 1846-56, the country's population decreased from 8 to 6 million people. (1 million people died and 1 million people emigrated). The Great Famine had significant political implications.

In 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed, according to which 6 counties of northeastern Ulster were constructed as Northern Ireland, and the remaining 26 counties formed the Irish Free State with its capital in Dublin, which was part of the British Empire as a dominion. The first government of the new state was headed by William Cosgrave. In 1937 a new constitution was adopted.

Ireland remained neutral during World War II.

In 1948, the fully independent Republic of Ireland was proclaimed.

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Plan
Introduction
1 Struggle for autonomy
2 Anglo-Irish War
3 Northern Ireland
4 Labour's devolution program
Bibliography

Introduction

Ireland in the 17th century

In the XII century. The Normans first appeared in Ireland and subsequently founded the colony of Pale.

Gradually, towards the end of the 16th century, English rule was established throughout Ireland. Since that time, the oppression and infringement of the rights of the indigenous Irish population began.

In particular, in 1366, the so-called Killkennian Statutes were adopted, according to which all the British, under the threat of confiscation of land and imprisonment, were ordered to speak only English, dress only in English clothes, it was forbidden to sell horses and weapons to the Irish, and in wartime and products nutrition.

It was also forbidden in the English territories to admit the Irish to church posts and to provide them with premises for religious purposes. The infringement of the Irish reached the point that for the murder of an Irishman, an Englishman was not only not punished corporally, but was not even fined.

The Reformation and the confiscation of monastic lands in the late 30s of the 16th century were also accompanied by the confiscation of Irish lands and their transfer to English colonists.

While religious persecution caused new and new uprisings throughout Ireland. During the English bourgeois revolution, an uprising broke out in Ireland, which lasted about 10 years. In 1649, Oliver Cromwell arrived there to suppress the uprising. The fight against the rebels was accompanied by cruel terror against Catholics, mass looting and extermination of the population. In 1652 and in 1653, by the act of "eliminating Ireland" and the act of "settlement", O. Cromwell authorized the confiscation of land from everyone who was related to the uprising, all lands taken from the Catholics were divided among members of parliament, entrepreneurs and soldiers Cromwell.

Catholic clergy were forbidden to stay in Ireland, and the Irish Parliament was included in the English. All these harsh measures strengthened the shaken position of England in Ireland. Religious dominance was formalized by the declaration of Protestantism as the state religion by William of Orange after the victory in the "Jacobite Wars" of 1689-1691.

He also deprived Catholics of the right to purchase and rent land, the right to education for Catholic children, and imposed huge taxes on the entire population for the maintenance of the Anglican Church. During his reign, the economic situation throughout the country deteriorated significantly, as the most significant industries that could compete with England were deliberately put into decline.

From about the same time, the formation and development of national identity began.

The struggle for autonomy

In 1684, the "Philosophical Society" was founded, which was the first to oppose the injustice of the British towards the Irish population.

For the same purpose, the "Catholic League" was founded in 1775 to defend the rights of Catholics. Since that time, the opposition in Parliament began to grow, programs began to be developed to provide Ireland with economic freedom and political autonomy. The first author of this kind of program was Henry Grattan, who became the head of the movement for the autonomy and independence of the Irish Parliament.

These sentiments, as well as the announcement of a boycott of English goods in order to force the British government to lift trade restrictions, led to the fact that in 1782 the Irish Parliament received full legislative independence.

Acts were adopted that improved the position of Catholics, in particular, they were provided with the right to vote. The next step was the signing of a bill of union between the parliaments of Ireland and Great Britain. The Irish were now to send their members of the House of Commons to the English Parliament. But even these measures did not provide complete political freedom in Ireland, so in 1823 a "Catholic Association" was created, the purpose of which was the emancipation of Catholics. The Catholic Emancipation Act, which allowed Catholics to hold public office, was signed in 1829.

After that, the main goal of the Irish was to achieve self-government, and then independence. In 1870, the Association for Local Government was formed, the purpose of which was to promote the self-government of Ireland, for which it actively put forward its candidates to Parliament. In 1837, this organization was transformed into the Home Rule League. In 1886 and in 1893, one of its members, Gladstone, twice proposed a program for a bill to give Ireland its own parliament and executive authorities to solve the problems of the province.

Under his program, the United Kingdom continued to carry out legislative activities on a number of issues, such as defence, foreign policy and colonial administration and control of finances.

But both of these bills were not passed. In 1912, a third Home Rule Bill was proposed, which, after being rejected three times by the House of Lords, was to be considered law. For several years, the military organizations of Protestants and Catholics were preparing for performances, but their preparation was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, as a result of which it was decided to postpone the introduction of the gormul until the end of the war. In 1916, a group called the Irish Republican Brotherhood, with the support of the Irish Citizen Army and members of the union militia, organized the so-called Easter Rising in Dublin.

During the mutiny, several buildings in the city center were captured and the "Proclamation establishing the Republic of Ireland" was issued, but the mutiny was put down by British naval artillery. This rebellion gave impetus to a further and larger struggle for Irish independence. In the 1918 general election, the Irish Republicans won the majority of seats in Parliament. They proclaimed Ireland an independent country and formed the first Dale, that is, their own parliament, under the leadership of Eamon De Valer.

These events sparked the Anglo-Irish War, which lasted from 1919 to 1921.

Anglo-Irish War

The war ended with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1921, under which 26 Irish counties were granted independence, and 6 counties were granted the right to independently secede from Great Britain, Northern Ireland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom with its own parliament and government, which formed basis of the Ulster conflict.

In the rest of the island, the creation of the Irish Free State, the predecessor of the modern Republic of Ireland, was proclaimed. In 1937, a new constitution was adopted there, according to which the former dominion became the sovereign state of Eire. And in relations with Northern Ireland, the most important clause of the constitution was the article on the need to reunite a single Irish state.

In 1949, Ireland declared itself an independent republic and withdrew from the Commonwealth.

Northern Ireland

After the secession of the Republic of Ireland and throughout the century, there were numerous terrorist attacks carried out by the Irish Republican Army in order to prevent the Northern Irish government from exercising its authority in this territory. From time to time the IRA carried out attacks on Northern Ireland, such as in the 1930s, during World War II and in the early 1950s.

The most significant campaign against the northern counties was launched between 1956 and 1961.

The traditional predominance of Protestant forces in the parliament led to a gradual increase in discontent on the part of the Catholics.

In 1967, activists in the Catholic movement created the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, which demanded civil equality for Catholics and Protestants. Their rallies under the slogans of protecting the rights of the Catholic population led to the intensification of the activities of radical religious and political groups and to a new aggravation in interfaith relations. The apogee of this kind of clashes was the events in Londonderry, where the police dispersed a peaceful demonstration of Protestants, in response to this, protestant extremists provoked armed riots in Belfast the following year.

In order to avoid the recurrence of such cases in 1969, regular army units were introduced into the territory of Northern Ireland. But these measures did not help improve the situation in this part of the country, and in 1972 a regime of direct rule was introduced in Northern Ireland. This led to the most severe riots and uprisings. The apogee can be considered the events of "Bloody Sunday" on December 30, 1972, when British troops opened fire on the rebellious Catholics and killed 13 people. In response, the rebels broke into the British embassy in Dublin and burned it to the ground.

A total of 475 people died in Northern Ireland between 1972 and 1975. To relieve tension in the country, the British government decided to hold a referendum. The referendum was boycotted by the Catholic minority, and the government decided to act bypassing the opinion of the population, and in 1973 the leaders of Great Britain and Ireland signed the Sunningdale Agreement creating the Council of Ireland, an interstate consultative body of ministers and members of parliament of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but the ratification of this agreement was thwarted by protestant extremists.

The attempt to recreate the assembly in 1974 and the elections to the convention in 1976 ended similarly. The first successful attempt of cooperation between Great Britain and Ireland in the field of resolving the conflict in Northern Ireland was the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, which confirmed that the territory of Northern Ireland belonged to Great Britain, as long as the majority of its inhabitants supported it.

The agreement also provided for the holding of regular conferences at the level of members of the governments of the two countries. The first positive consequence of this agreement was the adoption in 1993 of the Downing Street Declaration, which declared the principle of inviting all interested parties to the negotiating table, provided they renounce violence. As a result of these agreements, the Irish Republican Army first declared a ceasefire, and soon Protestant military organizations followed suit.

In the same year, an international commission was created to manage the disarmament process. However, the organization refused it, which greatly complicated the negotiation process. A new terrorist attack, organized by members of the Irish Republican Army in London on February 9, 1996, interrupted the truce.

Irish.

Each nation is unique in its own way. However, some of them are surrounded by numerous myths. The classic example is the Irish. It is difficult to characterize them with some stereotypes. There is even a legendary expression attributed to Sigmund Freud: "This is a race of people in relation to whom psychoanalysis does not make sense."

The image of the Irish is surrounded by myths, they should be debunked. This nationality is very interesting, but by no means as bright as is commonly believed.

The Irish are friendly people. It is believed that the Irish will gladly give you the last shirt. But often they will prefer not to share it, but to sue because of it. Especially often lawsuits happen in families because of inheritance.

In general, the Irish are friendly, but a lot depends on who you are, where you are and what you do. Ireland is called the "land of a thousand greetings", but one has only to earn a bad reputation and the picture will change radically.

All Irish people are religious.

When a time of crisis comes, or danger threatens, any Irishman, even an atheist, will call on all the saints for help. But this does not mean deep religiosity; rather, it is a reflex laid down from birth. It is believed that 90% of Irish citizens are Catholics. In fact, only 30% of them have ever been to church at all.

They mention the name of the Lord when they fall or become dislocated, as do many of us.

The Irish can't sing. Ireland can be proud of its singers.

Suffice it to recall the names of Ronan Keating, Chris de Burgh and Daniel O'Donnell. And the main musical export product is the group U2. However, one should not assume that any Irishman will be able to sing a rebellious national song at any time. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that local ballads can brighten up evenings perfectly.

The Irish sing about love, about snowfall and gentle light, making listeners cry. This love of music is part of the national spirit.

The Irish are irreconcilable. In 1981, Bobby Sands, leader of the IRA, died as a result of a hunger strike. This attracted the attention of the entire world community to the problem of relations between England and Northern Ireland. To annoy London, the Irish government even decided to change the name of the street where the British embassy was located.

It was decided to rename Churchill Boulevard as Bobby Sands Street.

History of Ireland

Then the British embassy was forced to change its address. Now all printed materials were sent to the side street and house. So the embassy was able to refuse to use the rebel's name. Yes, and the term "boycott" is of Irish origin, coming from the name of Captain James Boycott. The inhabitants of this country really have integrity and the spirit of the struggle for justice.

All Irish people are redheads with freckles.

This is a common stereotype that all people of this nationality have red hair. But there are many natural blondes here, as well as black-haired men. Irish people often have brown or blue eyes. In our time, the country has become multicultural, only 9% of redheads by nature remain here.

All Irish people are pugnacious. It is believed that the Irish are so passionate that they are looking for a reason to fight.

That's just those who run amok in public places are not approved, but simply considered a fool. And having received such recognition, there is a risk of maintaining the “stigma” for life.

All Irish people are drunkards.

The catchphrase says: "God invented whiskey to protect the whole world from the power of the Irish." According to statistics, no more alcohol is drunk here than in any other European country. The myth appeared due to the fact that the Irish do not hide the pleasure they get from drinking. Dublin has one pub for every 100 inhabitants. And appearing drunk in public here is even considered a crime. Locals do not have to get drunk to be cheerful.

The company may make more noise because of communication, and not because of alcohol.

The Irish are great storytellers and storytellers. There are those who will delight listeners with interesting stories, while others are not given it.

Interestingly, Amanda McKittrick (1869-1939) was born in Ireland. She was called the worst writer in history by English literary experts. She published her own series of novels, winning the attention of many fans. The woman believed in her talent, despite the attacks of critics. She called them donkey-headed ticks and corrupt crabs, people with the talents of a janitor.

And today we remember her, not her critics.

All Irish people are stupid. The English have been teasing their islander neighbors for centuries, thinking they are dumb.

Edmund Spenser was especially famous, who devoted a lot of space to attacks on the Irish in his poems. He argued that the neighbors are far from much more educated Englishmen. Do not forget that it was Ireland that gave the world James Joyce (he is considered the true heir of Shakespeare), as well as other prominent poets and writers.

The Irish are vindictive.

Locals can easily flare up, but they just as quickly retreat. If the Irish remember your past mistakes, then as a joke. Here it is customary to treat life with humor and make fun of yourself, so you should not be offended. There is even a comic term "Irish Alzheimer".

It refers to the fact that the Irish sometimes "forget" about the birthdays of their relatives, not wanting to congratulate them. But this is just a joke.

All Irish people love green. Following this statement, we can say that the Spaniards are fans of red, and the Dutch love orange.

If the Irish wear all green on their main holiday, this does not mean a general obsession with color at other times. There are traditions according to which people choose green scarves and hats for public events.

This is where the love for the “national” color ends. And with those on whom there is nothing green, they will still communicate.

The Irish speak Irish. The national language is indeed Irish, but it is only spoken in a few secluded places in the west of the island.

Most Irish people speak English.

The Irish live in Ireland. About 4 million people of this nationality live in Ireland itself. But people with Irish roots are scattered all over the world. It is believed that most of them in the United States - up to 36 million. They are found in Canada, Australia, Argentina and Mexico. And all these people have fun celebrating their national holiday - St. Patrick's Day.

And the reason for the great migration was the "Great Famine", when people on the island died en masse due to a poor potato harvest. Then many poor people decided to emigrate to the United States. There are currently about 80 million Irish people in the world.

Count Dracula is of Irish descent. Surprisingly, it is. The writer Bram Stoker, who created the cult book, has never been to Eastern Europe at all.

He was born in Dublin and raised in Ireland. It was here that he heard enough of local legends about mysterious creatures who drank human blood. And there is a very specific story about the leader Abhartach, who, according to historians, was the very king of vampires.

Popular myths.

Popular facts.

Page 1 of 8

Yu. M. Saprykin "History of Ireland", Chapter 1.

On the territory of Ireland, several monuments of the Stone and Bronze Ages have been discovered. The earliest of them arose in the sixth millennium BC. Although the transition to the Neolithic did not appear until the third millennium, the Bronze Age began very early. For a millennium to a year and a half. e. Bronze and gold items from Ireland were exported to the mainland.

In VI.

BC. There are Celtic tribes, or, as the Romans called them, Scott. At that time, their migration from the region of Central Europe, Gaul, the United Kingdom, northern Italy and the Iberian Peninsula was. In Ireland, they probably moved in two streams - from northern Galicia and northern Britain. The first conquerors of Ireland are the Celtic tribes, and then Belgium, the British, the Picts and others. The newcomers oppose the use of a locksmith's tool used by the locals using iron-derived tools.

At the beginning.e. they apparently took over the whole island. From the chronologies it is known that this is about 10 I of the first century. AD in Ireland was the resurrection of people of plebeian origin who succeeded in destroying all nobility. “This shows the dominance of the Scottish liberators over the elderly,” notes Engels.

But from the V side on. The AD (Scots) Celts, mixed with the local population, were Goidelic as a distinct dialect of the Celtic languages, and the people began to call themselves goidelami (anglicised as Gaels).

Irish material culture

Cattle has been one of the important occupations of the Irish since ancient times.

They raised cattle, horses, pigs and sheep. It is clear from the Bregon Act, the barbaric Law of Ancient Ireland contained in the collections of legal debates The Great Book Antiquity, that disputes over the ownership of cattle are very common among the Irish, and the amount of fines imposed on various offenses expressed in a given number of cattle.

Cattle were primarily a medium of exchange. The theft of cattle is spoken of in the sagas, ancient tales of heroes. Animal husbandry significantly influenced the idea of ​​the ancient Irish about the calendar, their customs and rituals.

At the same time, the inhabitants of many parts of Ireland, in particular the central plains and the south-western island, have long been engaged in agriculture, including livestock.

In the laws of race, among the natural sacrifices, the leaders mentioned barley, oatmeal, wheat, malt; as the typical food of a poor man, called a jug and a piece of cake.

Oats were the main cereals. The favorite dish of the Irish was oatmeal; Wheat bread is used primarily for familiarization and then for its treatment.

On August 1, a harvest festival took place. In the annals - sagas - the years were noted, in particular, as the years of people's well-being.

In agriculture, a constant system of soil formation was carried out with periodic replacement of arable land. Since ancient times, the Irish have protected the plug. The fork brought Kelte with her. Often cultivated land was under forest. The grains have been crushed by stone seedlings since the 5th century BC. AD were water mills. The inhabitants of the coast practiced fishing as a supporting profession.

The boat was not separated from agriculture, they themselves were engaged in farmers; they cut linen and wool, weaved, made leather, hung clothes and shoes, made ceramics; blacksmith crafts and jewelry were considered privileged professions; The products of blacksmiths and jewelers were intended mainly for leaders and nobles.

The Irish settled in convenient and safe places in the river valleys and hills.

The main building material was wood.

history of ireland

the simple Irish Corps is usually a round cage of bushes and reeds and muddy clay, with a window opening, with a thatch roof supported in a middle column; smoke from the fireplace passed through a hole in the roof. The floors were clay. On the walls stood a chamber (“boxes”) on which they burned.

The ancient fortress - fortifications on hills with fortified ditches and palisades - is Croachan in Connaught, Tara in Meath, Emen Mah Ailich in Ulster.

On the site of modern Dublin, Eblan was.

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M.: Thought. 1980. 390 p.

Publisher's note:

The monograph outlines the centuries-old history of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. The book gives a picture of the socio-economic and political development of the country, examines the most important facts and events that characterize this development. Particular attention is paid to showing the heroic struggle of the Irish people for independence and national self-determination.

I. Ireland in the Early Middle Ages

Material culture of the Irish
The social structure of Ireland
The emergence of feudal relations
Emergence of the state
Adoption of Christianity
Culture of Ireland
Norman invasion of Ireland
Battle of Clontarf

II. The invasion of Ireland by the Anglo-Norman feudal lords. Pale and unconquered Ireland

English invasion of Ireland
Henry II of Ireland
The struggle of the Irish against the conquerors
Peil - English colony
Pale - a stronghold of aggression of the English feudal lords in Ireland
Unconquered Ireland
Rise of the Anglo-Irish nobility
Peil's decline in the 14th-15th centuries

III. Ireland under the Tudors and the first Stuarts

The beginning of the strengthening of the power of the English king in Ireland
The policy of surrender and new grant of estates and the beginning of massive land confiscations
The colonization of Munster and the "dispensation" of Connaught
National Liberation War (1594-1603)
Colonization of Ulster
Abolition in 1605 of the clan system
Checking and correcting land titles
Strafford's policy in Ireland
New English in Ireland
Aggravation of contradictions in Ireland in the first half of the 17th century.

IV. Irish rebellion 1641-1652 and completion of the English conquest of Ireland

The beginning of the English bourgeois revolution and the maturing of the Irish uprising
Start of the Irish Rebellion
The Long Parliament and the Irish Rebellion
Formation of the Irish Catholic Confederation
Truce of 1643 and aftermath
Aggravation of internal strife in Ireland
Ireland - a stronghold of royalist forces
Cromwell's conquest of Ireland
The new "dispensation" of Ireland and its consequences
Ireland after the restoration of the monarchy in England. Second Irish Rebellion 1689-1691

V. Period of action of punitive laws (1692-1776)

Violation of the Treaty of Limerick
Punitive Laws
The ruin of the Irish industry
agricultural relations. The Condition of the Working Masses
Laws against unions of apprentices and workers
Rule of Ireland in the 18th century
The first symptoms of Anglo-Irish discontent. Swift's pamphlets
Liberal opposition
Catholic Committee. Formation of the national movement
Popular resistance. Tori and Rappari
Strengthening of the peasant movement in the 60-70s. "White Boys" and other secret societies

VI. The rise of the national liberation struggle at the end of the XVIII century.(chapter prepared as a separate file)

American Revolutionary War and Ireland
Volunteer movement
Henry Grattan
The first successes of the national movement
Winning parliamentary autonomy
The failure of the campaign for reform. Split among the volunteers
Ireland in the second half of the 1980s. Facing new storms
Deepening social conflicts in the Irish countryside
Impact of the French bourgeois revolution on Ireland
"United Irish"
Wolf Tone
The transition of the reaction to the offensive. Terror and provocation
Under the banner of an independent republic
Revolt of 1798
Union of 1801
Emmet's conspiracy

VII. Ireland in the first half of the 19th century (1801-1848)

Ireland after the union
Catholic emancipation movement. Bill of 1829 Lichfieldhouse Agreement
Peasant "war against tithes" and its results
The beginning of an organized labor movement. Utopian socialist William Thompson
National movement of the 40s. Repilers. "Young Ireland"
The formation of a revolutionary situation. Irish Confederation
1848 in Ireland

VIII. agricultural revolution. Fenian movement
Ireland after 1848
Agrarian coup
The struggle of the peasants against the eviction from the land
Attempts to solve the agrarian question by constitutional means. Tenants' Rights League
Fenian movement
"Irish people". Repression against the Fenians
Revolt of 1867
"Manchester Martyrs"
Irish prisoner amnesty movement
The First International and the struggle for Irish independence. Irish Sections of the International Workingmen's Association
Towards new frontiers of the liberation struggle

IX. Ireland in the last third of the 19th century
Exacerbation of the Irish question in the 70s of the XIX century. Home Rulers. Charles Parnell
New program of the national movement. Michael Devitt
Irish National Land League. Entry into the struggle of the broad peasant masses (1879-1882)
The first attempt to introduce home rule. Orangeism (1885-1886)
The onset of reaction (1887-1891). Gaelic League
Allies of the Irish People in England
agrarian reform
Ireland at the turn of the 20th century Labor movement. The beginning of the spread of the ideas of Marxism

X. Ireland 1900-1918 The rise of the liberation revolution
Economic and socio-political shifts in Irish society at the beginning of the 20th century.
The main political groupings in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century.
Mass movement at the beginning of the 20th century.
Completion of the formation of the Irish nation. Ulster Crisis 1912-1914
Increased exploitation of Ireland by British imperialism during the years of the imperialist war. The maturation of the prerequisites for the national liberation revolution
Dublin uprising of 1916 and aftermath
The Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia and Ireland.
Formation of a national anti-imperialist coalition
The Irish Volunteers are the core of the national rebel army.
The workers' and peasants' movement in the last years of the First World War

XI. Irish National Liberation Revolution 1919-1923
Anglo-Irish War 1919-1921
The Irish working class in the struggle for the independence of the country. Class struggle during the Anglo-Irish War
Anglo-Irish Treaty of 6 December 1921 and formation of the Irish Free State
The second stage of the revolution. Civil War 1922-1923
Results of the Irish Revolution
Ulster during the Revolution. Split Ireland

XII. Ireland 20-50s. Attempts to gain independence on the capitalist path
Ireland under Cumman on Gael 1923-1931
Mass struggle against the Cosgrave regime
National-bourgeois transformations and socio-political struggle in the first half of the 30s
Irish fascism and its collapse
Ireland on the eve of World War II
Ireland during the Second World War and in the first post-war decade
Northern Ireland - a colony of British imperialism

XIII. Modern Ireland (late 50s-70s)
Internal political struggle around the "new course"
Socio-economic and political problems of the Republic of Ireland in the 60s-70s
Labor movement at the present stage
Foreign policy of the Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland Crisis

Ireland is an interesting country, the main attractions of which date back to the Middle Ages and the prehistoric period. And here you can see not only a huge number of ancient castles and fortresses, but also many natural wonders.

First of all, it is necessary to note Dublin, which is one of the oldest cities in Europe (IX century). It is remarkable not only for its beautiful landscapes (Dublin Bay and the River Liffey), but also for its medieval streets, squares and cathedrals. The most outstanding attraction of this city is the magnificent St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is also worth highlighting the obelisk in honor of the Duke of Wellington, Fifteen Acres Square, Dublin Castle, the residence of the English Viceroy of Ireland, Blackrock House, the labyrinth of streets around Temple Barpark, O'Connol Street and the Chester Beatty Library.

Small towns located near the capital are also very interesting. For example, in Dan Leray, the city yacht club, the Town Hall building and other ancient buildings are noteworthy.

Among other cities, it is necessary to highlight Cork, which is famous for its many ancient cathedrals and museums, Waterford, founded by the Vikings in the distant 914, and Donegal, where the legends of the famous headless horseman came from.

Also one of the most famous sights of Ireland is Newgrange, which is a huge mound surrounded by boulders. Not far from it there are two more ancient burial mounds - Naut and Daut.

Well, among the main natural tourist sites, the most famous are amazing natural formations called the Bridge of the Giants. Also popular is the place of Connemara, which is located in County Galway. The Aran Islands are also noteworthy, where there are mysterious ancient structures created by unknown tribes.

All sights case for reference

Kitchen

Irish cuisine is simple: it is based on hearty meat dishes from lamb or pork. One of the most popular dishes that you can try in any local restaurant is the traditional stew. Moreover, they prepare stew according to a variety of recipes, although most often it includes lamb neck, potatoes, onions and spices. Also worth trying are stew (braised lamb belly), Gaelic steak (beef sirloin with whiskey) and dublin kodel (a mixture of sausages, bacon and potatoes). In addition, all kinds of potato dishes (soups, pies, dumplings, buns, etc.) are widespread in Ireland. One of the most famous potato dishes here is colcannon made from mashed potatoes and cabbage. Boxty fritters are another traditional potato dish.

Fish and seafood dishes are also very common in Irish cuisine. Moreover, young herring, which is called white byte (white food), is considered a special delicacy here. In the local menu, you can also see dishes from red algae.

Well, another distinctive feature of the local cuisine is the wide popularity of cheese, which is even called “white meat” here, and the abundance of traditional pastries.

As for drinks, speaking of Ireland, it is impossible not to mention dark beer and whiskey. The most famous beer that can be tasted in any pub in the country is Guinness. Irish whiskey is also quite popular, and its taste is much milder than that of Scotch. In addition, you should try real Irish coffee with cream and whiskey.

Accommodation

All Irish hotels comply with the international classification and are annually inspected by the Irish Hotels Federation, so the living conditions and quality of service here always correspond to the declared category. Moreover, breakfast (buffet) is included in the price of accommodation here. Most Irish hotels have pubs and free parking.

If we talk about the hotels themselves, then their choice here is truly colossal: from high-class 4 and 5 * hotels to guesthouses and small private boarding houses. Travelers most often stay at Bed&Breakfast hotels, where guests are offered cozy rooms and home-cooked meals. Such establishments are scattered throughout the country and are considered one of the most affordable accommodation options.

In rural areas of the country, accommodation is possible in ancient castles with a medieval interior. Of course, the cost of living in such hotels is quite high, but in addition to traditional services, golf courses, swimming pools and spa centers are available to guests here.

Entertainment and recreation

Ireland is a very original and multifaceted country, so here everyone can find entertainment to their liking. Each city has art galleries, museums, nightclubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues. An excellent place to spend your leisure time can be an Irish pub, where people come to chat with friends or make new acquaintances. Fans of classical music are recommended to visit the National Concert Hall in Dublin first of all. In many Irish towns, theatrical performances with dinner and open-air concerts are arranged. Almost everywhere, performances with local dances are organized.

Fans of outdoor activities will also like it in Ireland. The country has a great many peninsulas and bays with excellent places, as if created specifically for practicing any kind of water sports. There are also many excellent fishing spots. The country is also famous for its golf clubs and hippodromes.

And, of course, it is impossible not to mention the Irish holidays and festivals. Of these, the most famous are the Oyster Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Early Music Festival, the Irish Gourmet Festival, the Blues Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Authors' Week Literature Festival, the November Opera Festival and the Theater Festival. Also notable is St. Patrick's Day (March 17), which is accompanied by fireworks, colorful shows, concerts and a sea of ​​beer.

Purchases

Ireland is a very developed country, so shopping here is very pleasant and exciting. The best place for shopping, of course, is Dublin. In this city you can buy literally everything - from designer clothes to antiques. Moreover, there are six large shopping districts, where numerous shopping centers, boutiques, department stores, jewelry stores and bookstores are concentrated.

Of course, there are plenty of shops in other Irish cities as well. The choice there, of course, is less, but the prices are lower. In addition, only in Galway you can buy the famous Claddagh rings, and in Limerick - real Waterford crystal.

Among the most popular Irish souvenirs, it is worth noting all kinds of goods with a green shamrock, records with national music, figurines of fairy-tale creatures and local musical instruments. Of course, the best souvenirs from the country can be whiskey, beer and Baileys milk liquor.

It must be borne in mind that citizens of countries that are not part of the European Union, when making purchases, should always take a special “tax free” form, which guarantees monetary compensation upon departure from the country (12–17% of the cost of purchases).

Transport

After the modernization of roads in Ireland, the demand for domestic flights has significantly decreased. Therefore, now domestic aircraft fly only between Dublin, Donegal and Kerry. The bus network covers almost all settlements, and the railway connects the capital with all major cities. The small islands that dot the western coast of the country can be reached from any nearest port, of which there are many.

If we talk about public transport, then it is represented by quite comfortable buses. In Dublin, the buses are double-decker and painted bright green. Tickets are purchased from drivers, and it is much more profitable to buy not a single ticket, but a travel card for a certain number of trips or days. In addition, in Dublin, tourists can purchase a Dublin Pass discount card, which provides a number of significant discounts, including on travel. There are also taxis in major cities of Ireland, however, their services are quite expensive: $ 3 per landing and $ 1.5 per kilometer.

Car rental companies are ubiquitous. In order to use their services, you will need international rights, two credit cards, insurance and a deposit ($500-1000). In addition, the age of the driver must be between 23 and 79 years old.

Connection

Ireland boasts an excellent quality of telephone communication. Moreover, in all cities of the country, telephone boxes and payphones are installed everywhere, so there will be no problems with communication here. At the same time, it should be taken into account that calls from telephone booths are the most profitable option, but calls from hotels are the most expensive.

Irish cellular communication is also of excellent quality (GSM 900/1800). International roaming is available to all subscribers of major Russian operators.

Internet in Ireland is ubiquitous: there are Wi-Fi access points in almost all hotels, airports and shopping centers. And often it's free. If we talk about Internet cafes, then they are not very popular in Ireland, and therefore not numerous.

Safety

Ireland is an absolutely safe and friendly country, the crime rate here is extremely low. Of course, this does not mean that in this country one should neglect the general rules of personal security, since pickpockets and scammers are still found here.

Ireland is absolutely safe from a medical point of view. No special vaccinations are required to travel here.

Business climate

Ireland is the most important economic, industrial and business center of Europe, where the offices and representative offices of the world's largest companies are based. The key sectors of the economy here are: the production of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and engineering, information technology. The main body that regulates the financial life of the country is the Central Bank of Ireland. In addition, the main European banking institutions are presented here, which are divided into three categories: industrial, settlement and commercial. Also in the country there is the Irish Stock Exchange, which is considered one of the oldest in Europe.

It is worth saying that due to the recent financial crisis, the banking sector and the country's budget have been seriously affected. But even despite this, Ireland is attractive for entrepreneurs. This is explained by the fact that the tax rate here is one of the lowest in the EU (12.5%).

Real estate

In Ireland, the procedure for selling real estate is no different from the generally accepted schemes in Europe. Therefore, here any foreigner can easily buy a home or a commercial facility. True, there are some reservations: the purchase cannot be fully disposed of for seven years, and the maximum limit on the area of ​​the purchased land is two hectares.

The main criterion that determines the cost per square meter is its location, so housing prices in the center of the capital are quite high here. Moreover, according to analysts, their growth is expected in the near future.

The locals are quite friendly and welcoming, but in Ireland, as in any country, there are general rules and norms of behavior for foreigners. So, tipping in Irish pubs is not customary, and, according to tradition, pub visitors buy drinks not only for themselves, but also treat others. In addition, it is not recommended to start conversations with the Irish about feminism and religion, as well as about relations with the UK. Smoking is prohibited in local restaurants, hotels and cinemas.

Visa Information

Citizens of the Russian Federation will need to obtain a visa to visit Ireland.

Irish visas can be of several types: tourist, transit, student and business visas. The term for consideration of visa applications is no more than 30 days. The Embassy of Ireland in Moscow is located at: per. Groholsky, d. 5.

Politics

Ireland is a republic.

The current constitution was adopted as a result of a plebiscite on July 1, 1937, and entered into force on December 29, 1937.

The President of Ireland (Irl. Uachtarán) (mostly a ceremonial post) is elected by the population for a 7-year term. The president has the right to convene and dissolve the lower house of parliament at the initiative of the government, he promulgates laws, appoints judges and other senior officials, and leads the armed forces.

The actual head of the executive branch is the Prime Minister (Taoiseach), nominated by the House of Representatives and confirmed by the President.

The supreme legislative body is the Parliament (Irl. Tithe An Oireachtais), which includes the President and 2 chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House of Representatives has 160 to 170 members elected by the people on the basis of universal, direct and secret suffrage under the proportional representation system.

The Senate consists of 60 members, of which 11 are appointed by the Prime Minister, 6 are elected by the National and Dublin universities, 43 are elected through indirect elections on special lists (candidates for these lists are put forward by various organizations and associations). The electoral college for elections to the Senate consists of approximately 900 members, including members of the House of Representatives, members of county and municipal councils. The term of office of both chambers is up to 7 years.

Story

The first people settled Ireland during the Mesolithic period, around 8000 BC, when its climate improved after the retreat of the glaciers. Gradually, its inhabitants became part of the Celtic population and culture. The name of the island in Irish is Erin ("peace", and later "western island"). The ancient Irish lived in separate tribal clans under the control of hereditary leaders, jointly owned land and were engaged almost exclusively in cattle breeding. Ireland was not part of the Roman Empire, but it is mentioned by Roman historians (Ptolemy, Tacitus, Juvenal).

In 432 Saint Patrick, a native of Britain, spread Christianity among the Irish. The tranquility that reigned on the island favored the development of learning among the monastics. Already from the 6th century, Ireland became the center of Western learning, preachers of Christianity on the mainland came out of its monastic schools; their main source was the monastery on the island of Iona. Irish monks made a significant contribution to the preservation of Latin culture during the early Middle Ages. Ireland of this period was famous for its arts - illustrations for manuscript books (see the Book of Kells), metalwork and sculpture (see the Celtic cross).

This education of the clergy disappeared as soon as the Vikings began to disturb Ireland with their raids, and soon began to establish settlements on the shores of the island (in particular, Dublin). Only at the beginning of the XI century, the Irish, led by King Brian Boru, defeated the Vikings. Brian Boru died at the decisive Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

At the end of the XII century, part of the territory of Ireland was conquered by the British under King Henry II. The English barons took over the lands of the Irish clans and introduced English laws and government. The conquered area was called the outskirts (the pale) and both in management and in its further development differed sharply from the not yet conquered, the so-called Wild Ireland, in which the British constantly sought to make new conquests.

When Robert the Bruce took possession of the Scottish crown and successfully led the war with England, the Irish leaders turned to him for help against a common enemy. His brother Edward arrived with an army in 1315 and was proclaimed king by the Irish, but after a three-year war that terribly devastated the island, he died in battle with the British. However, in 1348, the "Black Death" came to Ireland, exterminating almost all the English who lived in cities where the death rate was especially high. After the plague, English power extended no further than Dublin.

During the English Reformation, the Irish remained Catholic, which created a rift between the two islands that has survived to this day. In 1536, Henry VIII crushed the rebellion of Silk Thomas Fitzgerald, an English protege in Ireland, and decided to reconquer the island. In 1541, Henry proclaimed Ireland a kingdom and himself its king. Over the next hundred years, under Elizabeth and James I, the English consolidated control of Ireland, although they failed to make the Irish Protestants. However, the entire English administration consisted only of Protestant Anglicans.

During the civil war in England, English control over the island was greatly weakened, and the Catholic Irish rebelled against the Protestants, temporarily creating Confederate Ireland, but already in 1649 Oliver Cromwell arrived in Ireland with a large and experienced army, took the cities of Drogheda and Wexford by storm around Dublin. In Drogheda, Cromwell ordered the massacre of the entire garrison and Catholic priests, and in Wexford the army carried out a massacre already without permission. Within nine months, Cromwell conquered almost the entire island, and then handed over the leadership to his son-in-law Ayrton, who continued the work he had begun. Cromwell's goal was to put an end to the unrest on the island by driving out the Irish Catholics, who were forced either to leave the country or move west to Connacht, while their lands were distributed to English colonists, mostly Cromwell's soldiers. In 1641, over 1.5 million people lived in Ireland, and in 1652 only 850,000 remained, of which 150,000 were English and Scottish new settlers.

In 1689, during the Glorious Revolution, the Irish supported the English King James II, deposed by William of Orange, for which they again paid the price.

As a result of English colonization, the native Irish almost completely lost their land holdings; a new ruling stratum was formed, consisting of Protestants, immigrants from England and Scotland.

In 1801 Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish language began to be replaced by English.

At the beginning of the XIX century. about 86% of the population of Ireland was employed in agriculture, which was dominated by indentured forms of exploitation. Ireland served as one of the sources of the accumulation of English capital and the development of industry in England.

Since the mid 40s. 19th century the agricultural revolution began. The fall in the price of bread (after the abolition of the "Corn Laws" in England in 1846) prompted the landowners to begin an intensive transition from the system of small peasant leases to large-scale pastoral farming. The process of driving small tenants off the land (the so-called cleansing of estates) intensified.

The repeal of the "Corn Laws" and the disease of the potato, which was the main crop of the small landed Irish peasants, led to the terrible famine of 1845-1849. About 1 million people died as a result of the famine.

Emigration increased significantly (from 1846 to 1851, 1.5 million people left), which became a constant feature of the historical development of Ireland.

As a result, in 1841-1851. Ireland's population has declined by 30%.

And in the future, Ireland was rapidly losing its population: if in 1841 the population was 8 million 178 thousand people, then in 1901 it was only 4 million 459 thousand.

In 1919, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched active hostilities against British troops and police. On April 15-27, 1919, the Republic of Soviet Limerick existed on the territory of the county of the same name. In December 1921, a peace treaty was signed between Great Britain and Ireland. Ireland received the status of a dominion (the so-called Irish Free State), with the exception of the 6 most industrialized north-eastern counties (Northern Ireland) with a predominance of Protestants, which remained part of the United Kingdom. However, Great Britain retained military bases in Ireland, the right to receive "redemption" payments for the former possessions of English landlords. In 1937 the country adopted the official name "Eire".

In 1949 Ireland was proclaimed an independent republic. The republic's withdrawal from the British Commonwealth was announced. It was not until the 1960s that emigration from Ireland ceased and population growth was noted. In 1973 Ireland became a member of the European Union. In the 90s. 20th century Ireland has entered a period of rapid economic growth.

Economy

The Republic of Ireland's economic system is a modern, relatively small, trade-dependent economy that grew by 1995-2000. averaged 10%. The agricultural sector, once dominant in the system, is now being replaced by an industrial one; the industrial sector accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor force. While exports remain the main driver of Ireland's economic growth, growth in consumer spending and a recovery in both construction and business investment are also helping. The annual inflation rate for 2005 was 2.3%, down from the recent 4-5%. One of the problems of the economy is inflation in real estate prices (the average price of a residential building in February 2005 was about 251 thousand euros). The unemployment rate is very low and the incomes of the population are characterized by rapid growth, along with the prices of services (utilities, insurance, healthcare, lawyers, etc.).

Dublin, Ireland's capital, ranked 16th in the global cost of living rankings in 2006 (up from 22nd in 2004 and 24th in 2003). There have been reports that Ireland has the second highest average per capita income of all EU countries after Luxembourg, and ranks 4th in the world in this indicator.