Why is Ireland divided into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

Answer 1

Because they are two different states/countries. The republic is an independent state (although, concerning its membership of the EU, some people people contest this fact - officially, it isan independent state), whereas the north is a part of the United Kingdom (along, with Wales, Scotland, etc.). The separation (also known as partition) is similar to what happened with India and Pakistan when they too achieved independence from being a colony of Britain (on a much smaller scale, obviously). It was a long, slightly confusing process and there are many controversial issues and historical issues surrounding it: plantations, famine, religious bigotry, Civil War, Rebellion, Martyrdom, the Commonwealth, Home Rule, politics, and neutrality. The Troubles (terrorism by both Catholic and protestant groups in the late 20th century) led to further agreements between the two sides.

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History

Britain had militarily dominated Ireland since the 12th century, and especially after the Tudor conquest of 1603. This culminated in the 1801 Act of Union that made all of Ireland part of Great Britain. Substantial British colonization of the northern part of Ireland continued for 300 years.

In 1916 a major rebellion occurred (the Easter Rising), and in 1919 a two-year war for independence broke out, led by groups such as the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Many Irish were not satisfied with the Home Rule offered in 1914 and even then never implemented. During the war, the Government of Ireland Act 1920 was passed, establishing the independent Irish Free State in 1922.

However, the act specifically allowed the 6 mostly Protestant counties designated as Northern Ireland to "opt out" and remain part of Great Britain, which they did. This led to the redesignation of the British nation as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answer 2

There are a number of reasons however the divide came in 1921 before that all of Ireland had part of Great Britain since 1801. As the north of Ireland (the province of ulster) was predominantly protestant (following the plantation) being part of Britain appealed to them as Britain is also a Protestant country, however, within a united Ireland, they would be in the minority.

Answer 3

Ireland was ruled by Britain for many years ,despite nujmerous rebellions. The Irish War of Independence (Anglo-Irish War) took place around the year 1920. The majority of people in the island of Ireland were 'nationalists' and supported independence. However, in six northeastern counties there were large groups who were descended from British settlers and did not want independence. These 'unionists' threatened to fight against independence.

At the end of the War of Independence, the Irish and British leaders agreed a treaty. 26 of the 32 counties in the island became independent. However, six of the nine counties of Ulster, (four which had Unionist majorities and 2 with large Nationalist minorities) remained part of the UK.

The Irish who supported this treaty and those who did not fought a Civil War, but those who supported signing the treaty with the British won, so the island was partitioned between the independent 26 counties and the 6 which are part of the UK.

Answer 4

The island of Ireland was partitioned in 1921 as a result of mass Irish protest for independence from Britain.

The six counties in the north-east were predominantly unionist (pro-British). When Ireland gained independence and became the Irish Free State, these six counties exercised their right to opt out of the Free State and rejoined Britain some 3-4 days after independence.