A Brief History of Ireland

The Celts arrived in Ireland somewhere around 300 BC and ruled the country for next 1000 years, leaving behind marks of their art and culture which can be found even today. Christianity came to Ireland only around the 3rd and 5th centuries. The Vikings ruled from the 8th century onwards until it became a part of the English kingdom in 1169. A long struggle for independence ensued until in 1922, after the Irish War of Independence, the southern twenty-six counties of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom (UK) to become the independent Irish Free State, and after 1948, the Republic of Ireland.

Six counties in the north east known as Northern Ireland remained part of the UK but instability in the North began to reveal itself in the 1960s. For many years, there was violent conflict between those campaigning for a united Ireland and those wishing to stay in the United Kingdom and this came to be known as the “Troubles”. Irish governments have sought the peaceful reunification of Ireland and have usually cooperated with the British government.

On July 28, 2005, the Provisional Irish Republic Army (PIRA) announced the end of its armed campaign and on September 25, 2005 international weapons inspectors supervised the full disarmament of the PIRA.