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The majority of Catholics in Northern Ireland prefer union with the Republic because they are not descendants of British planters but descendants of the original inhabitants (Gaels). The Gaels did assimilate Scandinavians, Cambro-Normans as well as the Old English thus forming a Irish-speaking Catholic ethnic identity. This is closely related to perceptions among many Irish nationalists that control of the island of Ireland by England/Britain, in various forms since the 1100s, has been detrimental to the freedom and cultural expression of the Irish Catholic majority. For example, the Penal Laws of the 1700s prevented Catholics from engaging fully in civic life and from practising their religion.
More recently, certainly up until 2007, nationalists in the North argued that it would economically beneficial for a united island economy, particularly as output per head was significantly higher in the Republic than in the North and indeed the UK on average. (It is of course unclear what impact the Republic's current (2008/2009) economic collapse will do to such sentiment.)
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNorthern Ireland remains part of the UK because more than 50% of the population do not wish to be part of the Irish Republic. These people, known as 'Unionists' or 'Loyalists' also trace their roots back to Scottish settlers to Northern Ireland and consider themselves British, not Irish. Northern Ireland wants to be Irish... sortof.
Four of the six counties want to be Irish, but the population of the other two counties that want to be in the U.K. outnumber the population of the other four counties combined; it's a complicated conundrum.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThe Catholics of Northern Ireland are in a minority to the Protestant majority and in the past were discriminated against by the majority when it came to employment and promotion issues. That is no longer the case, but a significant number of the Catholic Republicans, mostly for political reasons, would prefer to be part of the Republic of Ireland where the vast majority of the population are Roman Catholic. They want a united Ireland, ie the island of Ireland to be all part of the Irish Republic.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoFor the most part Protestants formed the part of the population that wanted to stay under British rule and Catholics wanted to have independence. Historically Catholics had been persecuted under British rule, so naturally Catholics would have been on the republican/nationalist side.
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Confict between Northern Ireland and UK?
There is no conflict between Northern Ireland and the UK. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. However, a minority of the population of Northern Ireland want to leave the UK and become a part of the Republic of Ireland. There has been a referendum about this in the past and the majority of the Northern Ireland people want to remain in the UK. Democracy won the day.
Why Northern Ireland as part of British empire and not Ireland?
This is because the majory of people living in it known as unionist want to remain part of the UK. At one stage the whole island of Ireland was part of the Great Britain because the king at the time took control. As time went by only the nothern end of this island wanted to remain part of Great Britain called Ulster.
How do Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland view their region differently?
Catholics usually want to be part of the Republic of Ireland and Protestants want to remain in the United Kingdom.
When does northern Ireland vote to become part of Ireland instead of the UK?
A referendum on Irish unity will be held, when it is believed that the majority of people in Northern Ireland want such a referendum to be held (i.e. when Sinn Fein and other nationalists take the majority of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly). Talks will then be held with the British and Irish governments on holding a referendum and legislation will be introduced to allow a referendum to take place. Once that legislation has been passed the public will then vote on the legislated date on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland. At present unionists hold the majority of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. And recent public opinion polls have suggested that the majority of the Northern Ireland's (normally nationalist voting) catholic community want Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. So it is highly unlikely there will be any vote on Northern Ireland becoming part of Ireland for many years.
When Ireland divided into two countries which part stayed with Great Britain?
In 1922 Ireland was partitioned which created Northern Ireland and what is now the Republic Ireland. Britain and Ireland are separate islands, so no part of Ireland was with Britain, which consists of just England, Scotland and Wales. Ireland was part of the United Kingdom, which consisted at that time for Britain and Ireland, and when the Ireland was divided Northern Ireland stayed a part of the United Kingdom while the rest of Ireland became independent.
Confict between Northern Ireland and UK?
There is no conflict between Northern Ireland and the UK. Northern Ireland is part of the UK. However, a minority of the population of Northern Ireland want to leave the UK and become a part of the Republic of Ireland. There has been a referendum about this in the past and the majority of the Northern Ireland people want to remain in the UK. Democracy won the day.
What do the loyalists and republicans each want to happen to Northern Ireland?
Loyalists, and also unionists, refers to people in Northern Ireland that want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. They are "loyal" to the queen and want to remain in the "union". Loyalists are generally more associated with the more radical groups that have been involved in terrorism to further their cause.
Why Northern Ireland as part of British empire and not Ireland?
This is because the majory of people living in it known as unionist want to remain part of the UK. At one stage the whole island of Ireland was part of the Great Britain because the king at the time took control. As time went by only the nothern end of this island wanted to remain part of Great Britain called Ulster.
Is there an agreed timetable for England to leave Ireland to be governed by the Republic of Ireland?
No there isn't. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and will remain like that until the people of Northern Ireland want to change that.
How do Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland view their region differently?
Catholics usually want to be part of the Republic of Ireland and Protestants want to remain in the United Kingdom.
How come England won't give up Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland does not belong to England. The two of them, along with Scotland and Wales, form the United Kingdom. At present, the majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the United Kingdom. Until such time that that changes, it will remain part of the United Kingdom. England has no say in that.
Should England leave northern Ireland?
'England' has nothing to do with Northern Ireland. The full name of the country is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Therefore, Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom along with England, Scotland and Wales. The people of Northern Ireland held a referendum to decide if they wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom or become part of the Republic of Ireland. They voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the UK. A minority of people still want to be part of the Republic of Ireland but as a democracy, the will of the majority prevails. Incidentally, Northern Ireland has its own Parliament (Stormont) which is able to legislate on most things except for foreign, monetary and military policy.
Why does the UK want Ulster?
The UK does not want Ulster. Ulster is an Irish province consisting of 9 counties. 6 of those counties make up what is known as Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is often incorrectly referred to as Ulster. The majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the UK, as they regard themselves as being British.
When did the United Kingdom conquer Northern Ireland?
It didn't. When the Republic of Ireland left the UK in 1921, the people of what became Northern Ireland voted to remain part of the UK.
What was going on with the Irish Nationalism in the United Kingdom?
Irish nationalism is only within the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland (part of the UK). A minority of the population want to leave the UK and become part of the Republic of Ireland.
What part of the UK is part of an island neighbor of Great Britain?
Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland.
Why did Northen Ireland remain part of United Kingdom?
Northern Ireland has never been part of Great Britain. Great Britain is the island with England, Wales and Scotland on it. Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland. They are two separate island that have never been part of each other. What you are referring to is the United Kingdom, which is England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A majority of people in the northern part of Ireland did not want to exit the United Kingdom in 1922. So there was a partition of the island creating what we now know as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland stayed within the United Kingdom.
