Title: Ireland- Eire
1Ireland- Eire
- Constructing The Republic
2IRELAND
3Ireland-Eire
- Ireland stands apart from the other Celtic
countries and regions quite obviously because of
its status. - So far, The Republic of Ireland is the only one
of those nations to reach the status of
independent sovereign state. - But the history of Ireland does not compare
easily to that of say, Wales, Scotland and
Brittany.
4Ireland-todays structures
- Even if the influence of Britain as an imperial
power and later as post-modern multiculticural
remains primordial in both Wales and Scotland (
the UK), the relationship between the British
State and the island of Ireland up until c1920
was of a quite different order.
5Ireland-todays structures
- The imprint of the British State on Ireland in
structural terms can be seen to this day in the
Irish judiciary, some political frameworks, and
urban culture. - A walk around the older parts of Dublin.
- Probably the most lasting element of Irelands
colonial past is the English language itself,
albeit in an Irish garb. - The Irish Language ( An Ghaeilge)
6Georgian Dublin
7Ireland-todays structures
- The key to an understanding of Ireland today, and
the existence of Northern Ireland still, lies in
the realization that Ireland by the 1900s was
attempting to emerge from an entirely colonial
structure imposed by the UK over the centuries.
8Ireland-todays structures
- Again, one of the major differences between
Ireland and the other Celtic countries is that
Wales and Scotland were integrated politically
into the UK (Acts of Union) which were largely
accepted by the political classes of both
countries by the 19th century. - The Welsh gentry of the pre 1540s sought for such
an Act because it would allow them to be treated
no longer as foreigners but as fully-fledged
members of the Tudor elite.
9Ireland
- In Scotland too, and especially after the defeat
of the Clans in the mid 18th century, there was a
sense amongst the Lowlanders at least that they
were northern Britons. - Incipient nationalism was in both countries
non-violent, and often the aim was not
independence but various forms of autonomy (19th
century).
10Ireland-todays structures
- Ireland although very much under British rule
from the 16-17th centuries onwards, only ever
became conjoined to the United Kingdom
constitutionally in 1800 with an Act of Union
which brought the Irish Parliament to an end. - Henry VIII had declared himself King of Ireland
in 1541.
11Military resistance in Wales and Scotland
- Any real military resistance to British rule in
Wales came to an end c1415 with the end of the
Owain Glyndwr revolt (we would say insurgency
today) - Although not an out and out defeat, too many of
Glyndwrs supporters in the gentry were losing
heart and giving in to blandishments from the
enemy side.
12Ireland-todays structures
- In Scotland the whole tradition of uprisings was
entwined in the Jacobean revolts of the 17th and
18th century. Gaelic Scotland was the great
loser, and Lowlander Scotland was the great
winner. - There would be no more military risings in
Scotland. Major change would only begin in the
later 20th century in an entirely democratic
setting.
13In Brittany
- In Brittany, the nearest one can come to a
popular rising by Bretons belongs to the period
of the French revolution (end of 1790s). - The so-called chouannerie were pro-Royalist
Breton militia men who were against the
revolution because it was deemed to be
anti-Catholic, and anti-Breton in tone.
14Ireland-todays structures
- Returning to Ireland it is clear that the
situation faced by the UK in its dealings with
Ireland (since c1600) was entirely different. - Firstly, the situation in Ireland was infinitely
more unbalanced. - Political and military resisitence to the British
military presence was much more organized and
present. - Most importantly, Ireland had a tradition of
Risings.
15Ireland-todays structures
- The British had from an early date been obliged
to deal with hostile and less hostile members of
the native nobility who had run Ireland on their
behalf for generations. - Although Ireland had rarely possessed a monarchy
of its own for the whole island, it did have many
regional kings who through a system of
clientship ruled the island. - But this was no longer the case after c1200
16Ireland-todays structures
- Several of the native aristocracy were appointed
by the British powers to positions such as High
Deputy of Ireland. - Henry VIII had himself declared himself king of
Ireland in 1541. - More than anything, the 16th century saw the
beginnings of real settlements (or colonies) deep
in the Irish rural areas as a means of bring
protestantism to Ireland.
17Ireland and religion
- This was another element which set Ireland apart
from the other major Celtic countries in their
dealings with the colonial or semi-colonial
power. - Wales became protestant by c1620 the Lowlands of
Scotland had spearheaded the rise and spread of
that religion in Scotland. It reached as far as
the catholic Highlands, so that today only a few
of the Gaelic speaking islands remain Catholic.
18Ireland and Religion
- Ireland was a very different case. Ireland was
solidly Catholic until the beginnings of the
settlements on a large scale in the late 1500s. - Religion became a highly politicised issue.
Britain by becoming Protestant put itself under
threat from other European countries especially
Spain and France. (eg Queen Elizabeth I was in
frequent danger of assassination) - Hence, for the English it was essential that its
colony Ireland should become protestant as a
means of defending the islands from Catholic
attack.
19Ireland and its rebellions
- This is why the history of Ireland from c1590
becomes violent, uncompromisingly so as Britain
tries to impose an ever greater colonial grip on
Ireland. - It demanded that the native leaders (the old
Gaelic aristocracy) became Protestant otherwise
they would lose their lands, their position, and
be exiled.
20Ireland and Religion
- In the influx of Protestant yeomen from Northern
England and Southern Scotland intensifies during
the century from 1590. - In particular Ulster goes from being one of the
most die-hard Gaelic speaking and nationalist
areas, to that of Irelands most Protestant and
Loyalist areas, giving rise in later centuries to
Northern Ireland (partition) and the Troubles in
the 1970s-1990s).
21Ireland-todays structures
- This period (c1550-1620) has all the hallmarks of
a classic colonial situation where the military
is of paramount importance. - Rebellions become relatively common throughpot
Ireland, and will set the scene for later Irish
experience in modern times. - Systematic suppression of rebel forces in
Leinster (SE) and Munster (SW) leading to the
death of the Earl of Desmond (prominent Irish
leader).
22Ireland-some rebellions
- 1592- Red Hugh ODonnell seeks to expel all
English officials from the lordship of Tyrconnell
(NW). - 1593- Ulster rebels. Help sought from Catholic
Spain. - 1601 Defeat for the rebel army with Spanish at
Kinsale.
23Ireland-todays structures
- There was a tradition of rebellions and uprising
in the following century too. - Owen Roe ONeill (Ulster Catholic Army) 1648
- 1663 Closure of court of claims for Irish lands,
its business unfinished.
24Ireland-todays structures
- William of Orange defeats the Jacobin forces
under James II at Battle of the Boyne 1690. - Wolfe Tones rebellion 1798
- Robert Emmetts rising 1803.
- By then most people might be willing to pay lip
service to the idea of Ireland taking her play in
the concert of nations, but fewer were ready to
take any action.
25Protestant Ireland
26Ireland-todays structures
- From 1801 Ireland had no parliament of its own.
- A small number of Irish MPs (Protestant
landowners) sat in Westminster. - Thomas Davis and Young Ireland, 1840s
- 1848 Rebellion.
- Late 19th century Land Reform and National
Independence. IRB. 1858.
27Ireland-todays structures
- The Fenians- rejected attempts to gain
independence as futile. - Armed uprising in 1867 (a token gesture).
- Home Rule (separate parliament subordinate to
London). Eventually led by Charles Stewart
Parnell. - National land league (1879-1882)
- Their campaigns were successful. Theold landlord
system was abolished, and ownership transferred
to the tenants.
28Ireland-todays structures
- Various attempts to get Home Rule legislation
through the Westminster parliament failed
(1886-1914) - The importance of cultural nationalism. The
Gaelic League. (the revival of the Irish language
on a nationwide basis). - Sinn Fein -1905 the idea that Irish MPs should
not sit in Westminster. - Irish Citizen Army (socialist but also
separatist). 1913.
29Ireland-todays structures
- Irishmen were encouraged to enlist in the British
Army during the WW1 because it was argued that
this would sustain British support for Home Rule. - Obviously not believing this, the Irish
Volunteers (led by Patrick Pearse) and the Irish
Citizen Army led by James Connolly staged a
rebellion against British Rule This was the
Easter Rising of 1916.
30Ireland-todays structures
- The decision by the British authories to execute
several of the leaders alienated public opinion. - In the 1918 election Sinn Fein won nearly all the
seats. - They now constituted themselves as the first
Dail, or independent parliament in Dublin. - The Dail was led by Eamon De Valera (Dev).
31E. De Valera
32Twentieth century
- Following attempts by the British to destroy Sinn
Fein, a War of Independence broke out in 1919-21.
the Irish forces were led by Michael Collins. - Guerilla war. A truce was signed leading to the
1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. - The 26 counties gained independence as the Irish
Free State (Saorstat na hEireann). - Six Ulster counties were given their own
parliament in 1920, and remained in the United
Kingdom.
33Twentieth century
- This treaty led to a civil war which lasted until
1923 between those who accepted the Treaty and
the partition of Ireland, and those, led by Eamon
De Valera who were opposed. - The first government of the new State was headed
by William T Cosgrave (Cumann na nGaedheal, later
Fine Gael). - De Valeras opposition aprty was called Fianna
Fail and they came to power in 1932.
34Twentieth century
- An economic war broke between Ireland and the
UK between 1932-38 following dispute over
continuous land payments. - In 1937, De Valera introduced a new constitution
which declared Ireland to be sovereign,
independent and a democratic state. - Ireland remained neutral during WWII.
- In 1948 the Republic of Ireland Act was passed,
severing the last constitutional links with
Britain.
35Twentieth century
- In 1955 Ireland became a member of the United
Nations - 1959 Eamon De Valera became Presiend of Ireland.
- In 1973, Ireland became a member of the European
Community, later known as the European Union.
36President, Parliament and Government
- The Irish parliamentary democracy is made up of
three elements - The President (an tUarachtan)
- A House of Representatives ( Dail Eireann).
- Senate (Seanad).
37An tUarachtan (President)
- The first president of Ireland was Dr Douglas
Hyde (1938-1945). - recent presidents
- Mary Robinson (1990-)