|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
The Many Troubles of Northern Ireland
| Article
# : |
20692 |
|
|
Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
|
| Issue
Date : |
9 / 1992 |
2,883 Words |
| Author
: |
Kathleen O''neill
Kathleen O'Neill is a free-lance writer based in Silver
Spring, Maryland. She specializes in the current affairs of
Northern Ireland and has traveled extensively in that country. |
The Berlin Wall fell but the "Peace Wall" in Belfast, Northern Ireland, remains. Middle Eastern leaders meet for peace, but Northern Irish leaders struggle over "talks about talks." The European Community eliminates borders, while Northern Ireland clutches tightly to its boundary dispute.
For over 20 years Americans have heard about the Irish Republican Army (IRA) blowing up workers in Northern Ireland, retaliation shooting by Loyalists in Belfast, car bombs outside 10 Downing Street, and explosions in the London Underground. What is this violence all about?
In the early 1920s, Ireland revolted against British dominion, and the southern part of the country gained independence to become the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland, however, remained a part of Britain, and so the struggle continues.
The problems of Northern Ireland are religious, cultural, historic, and economic. Ulster is a complex tapestry that must be dealt with a whole.
Ciaran McKeown, an early civil rights leader and peace activist, once commented that when people believe they understand what is happening in Northern Ireland they don't have a clue. But when they start to get confused, he added, they are learning.
The religious issue has little to do with theological differences. Ireland was a Catholic country about 400 years ago when wealthy Protestants were sent over from Scotland and England to be landlords for the British Crown. The native Irish worked the land, and some changed religion because of incentives offered by the landlords, such as free meals.
Today, religion is easily used by paramilitaries and politicians to divide the society. Since many Catholics believe in a united Ireland and many Protestants believe in a union with Britain, the battle lines were drawn. Loyalists, mostly Protestant, want to sat under British rule, and Republicans, mostly Catholic, want to be part of the Republic of Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, a person's religion can often be identified by his name, such as the Irish Sean instead of the Anglo John. The same is true with last names. If, however, the name is ambiguous, there are other clues: Where did the person grow up? What schools did he attend? Where does he live presently? What newspaper does he
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
