Description, history and area of Ireland

Emerald Ireland, filled with myths about leprechauns and elves, has always been of interest to scientists and archaeologists. After all, the island is considered one of those places where people settled for a long time - for eight thousand years before our era. And the area of the island of Ireland is 84 thousand square meters. Km, which allows it to occupy the third line in the list of the largest islands in Europe. In addition, archaeologists have so far failed to disclose the purpose of megalithic structures and dolmens, which are found in large numbers on the territory of the country. Unbelievable, but until now the area of Ireland is still not fully explored, which means that the history of these amazing lands can be replenished with interesting facts.

The first inhabitants of Ireland

Scientists believe that the first population of Ireland came here immediately after the end of the Ice Age, when the climate allowed to feel comfortable on these lands. Quite quickly the whole area of Ireland was inhabited, and local residents allegedly began to build various megalithic structures. It is still unknown why the ancient Irishmen erected these strange structures. But, for example, dolmens are considered funerary monuments. Although some scientists claim that they have a sacred significance, and with their help, the island population was associated with spirits. By the way, in one of the megalithic buildings archaeologists have found the most ancient stone map of the starry sky, on which the Moon and its relief were depicted in great detail.

Ireland in the pre-Christian era

Approximately in the second millennium BC, the Celtic tribes landed on the island. They began to migrate from Eastern Europe and gradually settled not only on the mainland, but also on the nearby islands. The whole area of Ireland was mastered by the Celts very quickly, they used iron weapons, were distinguished by their belligerence and their passion for military campaigns. Part of the local population they destroyed, and the remaining islanders gradually merged with the Celts into one nation. It should be noted that the conquest of the island had a very good impact on its culture and development. Celts brought with them new technologies, language, writing and religion. Virtually all Irish myths are some interpretation of Celtic history and beliefs.

It is with the Celts that the tribes of the Druids are associated, which left a deep imprint on the culture of many European peoples. Some historians argue that it was the Druids who brought their extensive knowledge to Ireland and taught the children of local people their culture and religion. So far, most legends tell of wise and fair wizards who helped the Irish develop agriculture and generously shared their deep knowledge in cosmology, agriculture and healing.

Christianization of Ireland

Approximately at the beginning of the fifth century, the first missionaries began to enter Ireland, trying to convert the local population into Christianity. It is worth noting that, in addition to St. Patrick, who is considered the most important Irish saint, other church ministers contributed to the Christianization of the island - St. Columbus, for example, or St. Kevin. But the official baptizer of Ireland is still recognized as Saint Patrick, who was born in Britain and spent more than five years in Irish slavery.

Since the area of Ireland is large enough, and the population is plentiful, Christianization has been going on in several stages for several centuries, gaining its characteristic features in the process. For Ireland, it was not characteristic the destruction of the Gentiles and the planting of a new faith. The missionaries gradually persuaded the local population, built monasteries and actively educated the Irish. This led to the fact that during the period of the cultural decline of Europe Ireland became a prosperous country where Christianity did not restrict the population, but, on the contrary, supported it. Monks contributed to the development of writing, created unique illustrations for church subjects and stunning sculptures. Many archaeologists and historians call the 5th-6th century the "golden age" of Ireland.

Viking raids

Ireland (area, territory and favorable climate contributed to that) constantly attracted the attention of neighbors. In the 8th-9th centuries the Irish began to undergo constant raids by the Vikings.

They ravaged settlements and monasteries, many of which were destroyed to the ground. To increase their influence, the Vikings began to establish their cities and gradually assimilated among the indigenous inhabitants of the island. Approximately in 988 the city of Dublin was founded, which began to play a very important role in the development of the island. In parallel, the Vikings laid port cities, which had a huge significance for their way of life. Gradually, monasteries began to be restored on the island, and the conquerors ceased to treat the monks with distrust. They learned to coexist peacefully.

Irish have repeatedly tried to stop the invasion of the Vikings, but it was not until the beginning of the 11th century that Bryan Boru (the High King) managed to defeat the invaders' army.

Establishing the power of the British

The vast area of Ireland (in a square km - 84 thousand) could not sooner or later not attract the attention of the British. Since the 11th century, they began to get to major Irish cities, gradually conquering them. Since the beginning of the 12th century, King Henry II declared himself the lord of Ireland and established his authority over some part of the island. Anglo-Norman lords also did not fail to get a large piece of Irish land and began to collect it under their authority.

By the beginning of the 17th century, the English had already firmly established themselves on the island and confidently established their own order. Irish language, traditions and customs were gradually being superseded. But in this period of time, this trend has not yet acquired a mass character, so the Irish patiently demolished the orders of the new government.

Surprisingly, the division of the population into the old and the new was very clearly manifested in the 17th century. Aboriginal Irish and the first English Catholics formed the basis of this society, but they became outcasts. The settlers, the English, referring themselves to the new government, shunned the local population, which became poorer every year.

Oppression of the Irish: the development of the country under the leadership of the British

The British, who are mostly Protestants, actively oppressed Catholics, who were almost all Irish. By the 17th century it had taken a truly monstrous form. Catholics were forbidden to buy land, have their churches, receive higher education and speak their own language. The country started uprisings, which resulted in a long interreligious conflict, which led to the division of the country.

By the end of the 18th century, Catholics had no more than five percent of the land, and the culture was preserved only through the efforts of underground societies that gathered on weekends and conducted teaching lessons for the younger generation.

In the first quarter of the 19th century there was a warming in relations between Ireland and Great Britain. It became possible thanks to the activities of Daniel O'Connell, who persuaded the English parliament to pass several laws that facilitate the life of Irish Catholics. This patriot with great enthusiasm defended the rights of his fellow citizens and sought to recreate the Irish parliament, which would allow the inhabitants of the island themselves to influence the policy of the country.

Background of the War of Independence

Perhaps the history of Ireland would have gone a different way, but in the middle of the 19th century the country had a crop failure for three consecutive years, which was the main source of food for the Irish. The population began to starve, but according to the laws established by the British, they had to export grain to other countries. Every year, the population of Ireland decreased, in hopes of a better life, the islanders began to emigrate from the country. Most of them settled in the US, some tried their luck in England. For a short period of time, Ireland has left about two million families.

At the end of the 19th century, the Irish began to seek self-management more and more persistently. But just then religious differences between the population of the country were clearly manifested - the northern part of Ireland was represented by Protestants, while the main population remained Catholics. Protestants opposed self-government, which caused growing tensions in the country.

Despite the fact that the British agreed to some indulgences for the Irish and signed a document on self-government, Ireland remained under the total control of Britain. This worried the supporters of separation from the Crown, and on April 24, 1916, a rebellion was held in Dublin, lasting six days. At its end almost all the leaders of the movement were executed, which caused the rise of the revolutionary movement in Ireland. In 1919, it was announced the creation of the Irish Parliament and an independent republic.

Island Ireland: area, territory today

The desire of the Irish for independence led to military action with the British, which lasted from 1919 to 1921. As a result, the rebels achieved the desired and became completely independent of Britain, but at the cost of freedom was the split of the country and society.

As a result, the map formed two states - the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. And most of the island belongs to the Irish free state, the northerners occupy only one sixth of the island's territory.

What is the area of Ireland (republic): a brief description

Since independence, the Republic of Ireland has adopted 26 counties, and the area of the country is 70 thousand square meters. Km. This is the largest state on the island.

Until the 1980s, the country experienced serious economic difficulties, the population continued to leave the republic, and finding work in Ireland was extremely difficult. But for more than 20 years, the situation has stabilized. The economy is experiencing stable growth, and once the young people left once again reached home. According to recent data, more than 50 percent of immigrants have returned to Ireland. And this shows that only positive changes are ahead of the country.

Northern Ireland: description and features

If we consider the total area of Great Britain, Ireland, there is not allocated such an important place (240.5 thousand square kilometers and 84 thousand square kilometers, respectively). But the inhabitants of the northern part of the island were extremely pleased with the situation in 1920.

The area of Northern Ireland is just over 14 square kilometers. Km, the county included only 6 counties. It is worth noting that, until 1998, conflicts continued in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Quite often, they were accompanied by armed clashes, and Britain repeatedly introduced its troops into the country to resolve the conflicts.

Almost 30 years on religious grounds, over three thousand people died. Only at the beginning of the 21st century did peace begin in the country, the warring parties reconciled and managed to agree on cooperation. In recent years, part of the population of Northern Ireland has favored reunification with the republic and a return to a single state on the island. But this proposal is supported by not all in the country's parliament, which, perhaps, will serve as an occasion for another protracted conflict in the future.

Conclusion

Ireland throughout its history has experienced many difficult moments and bloody armed conflicts, yet the spirit of the people remained unconquered by any of the conquerors. After all, in every Irishman flows the blood of Celtic warriors, who were able to defend their freedom and traditions.