3 Most Pivotal Events in Irish History
Ireland is rich with its own traditions and long standing history of fighting invaders including the Romans, the English, the Normans, and the Vikings. The country has collectively lived through struggles to achieve the peace it has today. All of these things have defined the fabric of the nation and added to the resilience of its people.
Some events, in particular, have changed the course of history for the country and had a permanent impact on it. Here are some of the most pivotal and defining events that will forever be remembered in Irish history.
1. Arrival of St Patrick
In 432 AD, Christianity arrived in Ireland with St Patrick. He openly denounced the pagan rituals that were prevalent in the country at the time and defied the High Kings. He was responsible for spreading the word of Christianity across Ireland and making the country one of the most active learning hubs for the religion. During his mission, he made at least 365 churches across the country, established missionary schools and convents, and consecrated hundreds of bishops.
2. The Potato Famine
In 1845, Ireland grappled with the Potato Famine, also called the Great Famine. It happened when disease spread across potato crops and wiped them out completely. At the time, potatoes were a staple in Ireland and it resulted in extreme poverty and hunger. One eighth of the population died because of it.
In addition to this, hundreds of thousands left Ireland and settled in other countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia. This continued happening for the four years that the famine lasted and the population kept declining in the decade after that as well.
3. The Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War is arguably one of the biggest events in the history of the country. It started in 1919 when small rebellions turned into a full-blown civil war between the British forces and the Irish Republic Army (IRA). In the next six years, there were many guerilla attacks led by different factions of the IRA which eventually weakened the British position.
After six years in In 1922, having seceded from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, it became the Irish Free State. It comprised 32 counties until 6 counties under the control of Unionists opted out. The 1937 constitiution renamed the ‘Southern Ireland state ‘Ireland’. This is what led to the current political and geographic.
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