Emerald Ireland, filled with myths about leprechauns and elves, has always aroused the interest of scientists and archaeologists. After all, the island is considered one of those places where people settled a very long time ago - eight thousand years before our era. And the area of the island of Ireland is 84 thousand square meters. km, which allows it to occupy the third line in the list of the largest islands in Europe. In addition, until now, archaeologists have not been able to reveal the purpose of megalithic structures and dolmens, which are found in large numbers on the territory of the country. Incredibly, so far the area of Ireland has not yet been fully explored, which means that the history of these amazing lands can be replenished with interesting facts.
The first inhabitants of Ireland
Scientists believe that the first population of Ireland came here immediately after the end of the Ice Age, when the climate made it possible to feel comfortable on these lands. The entire area of Ireland was quickly populated, and the locals allegedly began to build variousmegalithic structures. It is still unknown why the ancient Irish erected these strange structures. But, for example, dolmens are considered funerary monuments. Although some scientists claim that they have a sacred meaning, and with their help the island population contacted the spirits. By the way, in one of the megalithic buildings, archaeologists found the oldest stone map of the starry sky, which depicted the Moon and its relief in great detail.
Pre-Christian Ireland
Approximately in the second millennium BC, Celtic tribes landed on the island. They began to migrate from Eastern Europe and gradually settled not only on the mainland, but also on the nearby islands. The entire area of Ireland was mastered by the Celts very quickly, they used iron weapons, were distinguished by militancy and a passion for military campaigns. They destroyed part of the local population, and the rest of the islanders gradually merged with the Celts into one nation. It is worth noting that the conquest of the island had a very good effect on its culture and development. The Celts brought with them new technologies, language, writing and religion. Almost all Irish myths are some interpretation of Celtic history and beliefs.
It is with the Celts that the Druid tribes are associated, which left a deep mark on the culture of many European peoples. Some historians argue that it was the Druids who brought their vast knowledge to Ireland and taught the children of the locals about their culture and religion. Until now, most of the legends talk aboutwise and just wizards who helped the Irish develop agriculture and generously shared their deep knowledge of cosmology, agriculture and healing.
Christianization of Ireland
About the beginning of the fifth century, the first missionaries began to enter Ireland, trying to convert the local population to Christianity. It is worth noting that in addition to St. Patrick, who is considered the most important Irish saint, other ministers of the church also contributed to the Christianization of the island - St. Columbus, for example, or St. Kevin. But Saint Patrick, who was born in Britain and spent more than five years in Irish slavery, is still recognized as the official baptist of Ireland.
Since the area of Ireland is quite large, and the population is numerous, Christianization took place in several stages over several centuries, acquiring its characteristic features in the process. Ireland was not characterized by the destruction of the pagans and the planting of a new faith. The missionaries gradually convinced the local population, built monasteries and actively educated the Irish. This led to the fact that during the period of the cultural decline of Europe, Ireland became a prosperous country where Christianity did not limit the population, but, on the contrary, supported it. The monks contributed to the development of writing, created unique illustrations for church subjects and stunning sculptures. Many archaeologists and historians refer to the 5th-6th century as Ireland's "golden age".
Viking raids
Ireland (area, territories and auspiciousclimate contributed to this) constantly attracted the attention of neighbors. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Irish began to be subjected to constant Viking raids.
They ravaged settlements and monasteries, many of which were destroyed to the ground. To increase their influence, the Vikings began to establish their own cities and gradually assimilated among the indigenous inhabitants of the island. Around 988, the city of Dublin was founded, which began to play a very important role in the development of the island. In parallel, the Vikings founded port cities, which were of great importance for their way of life. Gradually, monasteries began to be restored on the island, and the conquerors ceased to treat the monks with distrust. They have learned to coexist peacefully.
The Irish have repeatedly tried to stop the Viking invasion, but only at the beginning of the 11th century Brian Boru (high king) managed to defeat the conquering army.
Establishment of British power
The vast area of Ireland (in sq. km - 84 thousand) could not fail to attract the attention of the British sooner or later. From the 11th century they began to approach the major Irish cities, gradually conquering them. From the beginning of the 12th century, King Henry II declared himself Lord of Ireland and established his authority over some part of the island. The Anglo-Norman lords also did not fail to get a large piece of Irish land and began to collect it under their rule.
By the beginning of the 17th century, the British had already firmly settled on the island and confidently established their own rules. The Irish language, traditions and customs were gradually supplanted. But in this period of time, this trend is not yetbecame widespread, so the Irish patiently demolished the order of the new government.
Surprisingly, the division of the population into old and new became very clear in the 17th century. Native Irish and early English Catholics formed the basis of this society, but it was they who became outcasts. The English settlers, identifying themselves with the new government, shunned the local population, which became poorer every year.
Irish oppression: British-led development
The British, who are mostly Protestants, actively oppressed the Catholics, who were almost all Irish. By the 17th century, this had taken on truly monstrous forms. Catholics were forbidden to buy land, have their own churches, receive higher education and speak their own language. The uprisings began in the country, which resulted in a long inter-religious conflict, which led to the division of the country.
By the end of the 18th century, the Catholics had no more than five percent of the land, and the culture was preserved only thanks to the efforts of underground societies that met on weekends and held educational lessons for the younger generation.
In the first quarter of the 19th century, there was a thaw in relations between Ireland and Great Britain. It was made possible by the work of Daniel O'Connell, who persuaded the English Parliament to pass several laws to make life easier for Irish Catholics. This patriot with great enthusiasm defended the rights of his fellow citizens and sought to recreate the Irisha parliament that would allow the inhabitants of the island to influence the policy of the country.
Independence War Background
Perhaps the history of Ireland would have taken a different path, but in the middle of the 19th century, the country had three consecutive crop failures of potatoes, which were the main source of food for the Irish. The population began to starve, but according to the laws established by the British, they had to export grain to other countries. Every year the population of Ireland decreased, in the hope of a better life, the islanders began to emigrate from the country. Most of them settled in the USA, some tried their luck in England. In a short period of time, about two million families left Ireland.
At the end of the 19th century, the Irish began to push for self-rule more and more insistently. But it was then that the religious differences between the population of the country were clearly manifested - the northern part of Ireland was represented by Protestants, while the main population remained Catholics. Protestants opposed self-government, which caused tension in the country.
Despite the fact that the British agreed to some concessions for the Irish and signed a document on self-government, Ireland remained under the total control of Britain. This greatly disturbed the supporters of secession from the crown, and on April 24, 1916, an uprising was raised in Dublin, which lasted six days. At the end of it, almost all the leaders of the movement were executed, which caused the rise of the revolutionary movement in Ireland. In 1919 it was announcedcreation of an Irish parliament and an independent republic.
Island of Ireland: area, territories today
The Irish desire for independence led to hostilities with the British that lasted from 1919 to 1921. As a result, the rebels achieved what they wanted and became absolutely independent from Britain, but the price of freedom was the split of the country and society.
As a result, two states were formed on the map - the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. Moreover, most of the island belongs to the Irish Free State, the northerners occupy only one-sixth of the island.
What is the area of Ireland (Republic): a brief description
Since the declaration of independence, the Republic of Ireland has taken 26 counties into its structure, and the country's area is 70 thousand square meters. km. This is the largest state on the island.
Until the 80s of the last century, the country experienced serious economic difficulties, the population continued to leave the republic, and it was extremely difficult to find work in Ireland. But for more than 20 years, the situation has stabilized. The economy is experiencing stable growth, and young people who once left have again reached out to their homeland. According to the latest data, more than 50 percent of immigrants have already returned to Ireland. And this indicates that only positive changes await the country.
Northern Ireland: description and features
If we consider the total area of Great Britain, Ireland, a not so important place is allocated there (240.5 thousand sq. km and84 thousand sq. km, respectively). But the inhabitants of the northern part of the island were extremely pleased with the status quo in 1920.
Northern Ireland is just over 14 sq. km, the country included only 6 counties. It is worth noting that until 1998 conflicts between Catholics and Protestants continued in Northern Ireland. Quite often they were accompanied by armed clashes, and the UK sent its troops into the country more than once to resolve conflicts.
In almost 30 years, more than three thousand people have died on religious grounds. Only at the beginning of the 21st century did peace begin in the country, the warring parties reconciled and managed to agree on cooperation. In recent years, part of the population of Northern Ireland has been in favor of reunification with the republic and a return to a single state on the island. But this proposal is not supported by everyone in the country's parliament, which may serve as a pretext for another protracted conflict in the future.
Conclusion
In its entire history, Ireland has experienced many difficult moments and bloody armed conflicts, however, the spirit of the people remained unconquered by any of the conquerors. After all, every Irishman has the blood of Celtic warriors who knew how to defend their freedom and traditions.
