Irish Independence Movement Leaves Lasting Impact on Ireland Today

by Kai Palreddy-Lowe, age 11

Over a century ago, there was conflict and violence between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland over whether Ireland should gain independence. There were many crises and wars around the world during the 1910s and 1920s, and debate stirred in Britain on whether the Irish should rule themselves.

While the conflict in Ireland came very close to a civil war, two bills supporting Irish independence were rejected until a third was passed in 1912, but it was prevented from coming to power by the outbreak of World War 1. Even during World War 1, those who wanted independence continued to campaign for Ireland's freedom despite the harsh conditions of war.

The conflict between the north and south of Ireland goes all the way back to the 16th century. The conflict started when British monarchs planted Protestant Scottish and English people on lands previously owned by Irish Catholics to increase loyalty to the British crown. From then on, the conflict grew until Easter Monday in 1916, when around 1,600 protestors, led by activists Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, rose in rebellion against British rule. After the recently created Irish government declared Ireland’s independence, there were three years of war between the Irish Republican Army, led by Michael Collins, and the Royal Irish Constabulary, which was supported by the British.

In 1921, Michael Collins wanted to end the fighting and began negotiating with the British. A few months later, they finally settled on the Anglo-Irish treaty. The signing of this led to more conflict and eventually the outbreak of another war. Some wanted to keep the Anglo-Irish treaty as it was, and others wanted all of Ireland to be independent. The war ended in 1923, when those who wanted all of Ireland to gain independence decided to accept the treaty for the time being.

This may have been over a century ago; however, it still affects the Irish people today. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are two completely separate countries, even though they share the same small landmass. All this conflict, violence, and protest in Ireland changed millions of lives, most of which had not even started yet.

[Source: World History Encyclopedia ]