Changes

Irish rebellions against British control date back to rebellions in 1798 and 1803, and several secret Irish societies (such as the Defenders and Ribbonmen) played roles in those uprisings.  There was an Irish Republican Army that fought the British at the Battle of Ridgeway.  There was the Easter Rising from April 24 to 30, 1916, during which Irish rebels capture key locations in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic.  The British suppressed this and executed its leaders.  But on 1919, the Irish Republic was declared through the efforts of its leader, Michael Collins (1890-1922).  Unfortunately, Michael Collins was killed just three years later during an Irish civil war.

Irish rebellions against British control date back to rebellions in 1798 and 1803, and several secret Irish societies (such as the Defenders and Ribbonmen) played roles in those uprisings.  There was an Irish Republican Army that fought the British at the Battle of Ridgeway.  There was the Easter Rising from April 24 to 30, 1916, during which Irish rebels capture key locations in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic.  The British suppressed this and executed its leaders.  But on 1919, the Irish Republic was declared through the efforts of its leader, Michael Collins (1890-1922).  Unfortunately, Michael Collins was killed just three years later during an Irish civil war.

Northern Ireland remains in control of the British, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

Britain remains in control of Northern Ireland, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched handheld missiles on the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing John Major.  He escaped injury.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the Protestants or Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched handheld missiles on the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing John Major.  He escaped injury.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the Protestants or Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.