主要英语国家概况chapter 7

Independence and the division of Ireland.

Michael Collins had led the war effort against Britain.
Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed after the War of Independence in 1921. However the people of Northern Ireland did not want to separate from England and so they remained part of the United Kingdom (UK).
Ireland.
Chapter 7
2013-11-22
What do you know about Ireland?

It may be a tiny country, but it is a country with rich culture.
Ireland is an island at the western edge of Europe.
Emigration



People left to find a better life and good jobs in other countries. The struggle with England and a poor economy was the cause of so many leaving. The population of Ireland has always been small as a result and today is only 6 million.
Ireland
Ireland has two separate jurisdictions.


Republic of Ireland Capital: Dublin Population: 4.3million Currency: Euro
Northern Ireland Capital: Belfast Population: 1.7million Currency: Pound English and Irish is spoken in both ROI and NI.




Almost half of the Irish people refused to accept the Treaty. Most Irish people voted in favour of the Treaty, wishing to end violence and allow Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. Civil war started between the two Irish sides in the Republic of Ireland. The anti-treaty movement was led by Eamonn Devalera.
Hurling



Hurling is a game played by two teams of 15 players each. Each player has a wooden stick. Players hit a small hard leather ball and try to score in the opponents goal. It is the fastest field sport in the world and a very exciting sport to watch.



Top: Eamonn DeValera who rejected the Treaty and led the anti-treaty movement.

Bottom: Michael Collins who defended the Treaty.
Civil war in Ireland 1921-1923
The Normans

Normans came in the 12th century and built castles all over the country and founded many towns. Over many years the division between the 3 (Celts, Normans and Vikings) disappeared and they became a single Irish race, speaking the Irish language and living the Irish way of life.
Christianity



Christianity began to arrive in Ireland from about 431AD onwards. The Celts adopted the new religion. St. Patrick is credited with bringing the religion to Ireland and St. Patricks day is celebrated on March 17th every year.
Green: Catholics Orange:Protestants White: the hope for peace between the two groups.
Irish History



9000 years ago Ireland was covered in ice. And the Ice Age ended. Stone age people arrived from Europe about 8000 BC. Agriculture (farming) began about 4000 BC.
The 1916 Rising (Easter REBELLION)



The 1916 Rising was the start of the War of Independence against England. Independence was declared by Irish Volunteers at the General Post Office (GPO). In 2006 the Irish Government celebrated 90 years since the Rising.
Norman castles can be found across Ireland.


The start of British rule in Ireland.



In 1171 King Henry 2 of England came to Ireland to claim sovereignty over Ireland. However in reality English control was only maintained in Dublin. The rest of the country continued to be a wild place, which remained under the control of the Irish kings.
The Great Famine 1845-1850




The staple diet of the Irish people at this time was the potato. The potato was almost entirely releyed upon by Irish people. Many people died or emigrated to America. Since the 1840s emigration became a part of Iirsh life up until the late 1990s.
The Celts


The Celtic race of people arrived from Europe to Ireland between 800-100 BC. Ireland became a Celtic country. It was from this tribal people that the modern Irish language came from and Irish identity is founded upon.
Irish EcLeabharlann nomy/ Celtic Tiger




Ireland’s economy had many problems for a long time. This changed in the 1990s when the period named ‘The Celtic Tiger’ began. Emigration ended. Many Irish people returned and also many foreigners began to work in Ireland, especially from Eastern European countries such as Poland. The Spire of Dublin symbolises modernisation and growing prosperity in Ireland.
Oliver Cromwell



Oliver Cromwell won the Civil war in England. He was determined to bring Ireland under his control. He conquered all of Ireland by 1652.
Viking raiders.




Vikings from the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) began raiding towns and monasteries on the Irish coasts in the 9th Century. The Vikings especially raided Christian monasteries where precious treasures and goods could be stolen. The monks built tall round towers to hide in when the Vikings attacked. Later the Vikings began to settle in Ireland and build port towns such as Dublin.
Sport in Ireland.





Ireland has a rich sporting culture. Ireland has two national sports native to Ireland. Hurling. Gaelic football. Croke Park in Dublin is where all major sporting events are currently played. It is the 4th largest stadium in Europe.



Geography and Climate



A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains. The island has a mild oceanic climate. It rains a lot in Ireland, making everything very green. It is often called “The Emerald Isle.”