Changes

Ireland suffered from regular Viking incursions from the late 8th century until 1014, when High King Brian Boru defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf.  

Ireland suffered from regular Viking incursions from the late 8th century until 1014, when High King Brian Boru defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf.  

In the 12th century, the Pope granted Ireland to the English crown as a papal fief. The English however, were unable to bring the entire island under their control until the 17th century, after the defeat of the Irish in the Nine Years War. In 1690, the Catholic King James II and his Irish allies were defeated by the Protestant William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat ushered in an era of Protestant dominance in Ireland. A series of regulations limiting the status of the Catholic majority were passed between 1691 and 1760, known as the Penal Laws. These laws also discrimated against Jews, non-Anglican Protestants and Quakers.[http://www.hoganstand.com/general/identity/stories/penal.htm(3)]

In the 12th century, the Pope granted Ireland to the English crown as a papal fief. The English however, were unable to bring the entire island under their control until the 17th century, after the defeat of the Irish in the Nine Years War. In 1690, the Catholic King James II and his Irish allies were defeated by the Protestant William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat ushered in an era of Protestant dominance in Ireland. A series of regulations limiting the status of the Catholic majority were passed between 1691 and 1760, known as the Penal Laws. These laws also discriminated against Jews, non-Anglican Protestants and Quakers.[http://www.risingroadtours.com/a7_penallaws.htm(3)]

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emmigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

In 1798, a combined Protestant and Catholic Republican rebellion was defeated. This led to the Act of Union being passed in 1801, under which Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. The Irish economy declined rapidly and the Great Famine ''An Gorta Mór'' broke out in 1845. The famine killed roughly one million, or one eighth of the entire population. It led to mass emigration to the United States, Canada and to Britain.

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish  tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amonst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, changing its name to Éire. [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html(4)]

Pro-nationalist sentiment continued to rise and the Irish  tried to secure their own parliament. Opposition to this arose in the predominantly Protestant and Unionist province of Ulster which allied with the British Conservative Party in an attempt to block "Home Rule". The outbreak of war in 1914 delayed the enaction of Home Rule and led to growing agitation amonst Irish Nationalists. The Easter Rising of 1916 was put down by the British, but their heavy-handed approach increased opposition to their rule. A war of independence broke out in 1919, the Irish using guerrilla tactics to undermine British rule in the country. The war with the British ended in 1921 with the British retaining control of six counties in the province of [[Ulster]]. The territory independent of the British became the [[Irish Free State]], while the territory controlled by the British became [[Northern Ireland]]. Later, in 1937, the Free State adopted a new constitution, changing its name to Éire. [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107648.html(4)]

== Politics ==

== Politics ==

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.

'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Irelands oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a left-wing socialist party. They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams.

'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Ireland's oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a left-wing socialist party. They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams.

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins.

'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins.