July 24, 2006

Irish History In 5 Minutes!
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Hi ya Julie, nice ta meetcha!
yeah the government over here is filled with incompetent, money orientated, ejjits. Anywhere outside Dublin seemingly doesnt exist, or at least its that way with us up in Donegal, the north west. I think they think we are a myth, they may have heard of us but dont believe we exist.
"yeah right as real as Leprecauns, Trolls, Donegal and flying dragons"

We are sposed to be the second richest (personnal wealth) country in the world, Japan being the first. House prices here are truely mental. We were looking at a 3 bed semi, €200,000! and given the wages we are on... Aye Right!
The rich get richer, the poor poorer.

Kameraden! The Revolution will come again!!! HEHE

Ah I spose things aint too bad. High employment n all. Population growing. Now at its highest since the 1860's. (took a huge dip during and after the Famine)

Oh Farlas, invasions...
Ireland never invaded England. Back in the day there was a bit of friendly raiding going on. but nothing major. Only significant invasion was by an Irish Clan that invaded the north of Britain way back (britain not being england). They took over from the native Picts and name the land after themselves... the Scotti Clan (if memory serves).

After Henry II, there was various pushes by English kings to tighten their grip on Ireland, and various push backs by the clans to loosen it. The "Nine Years War" was perhaps the closest the Clans came to kicking the English out. Alas for Kinsale. Still! The men of Donegal and Tyrone did a good job and nearly did it.
A few plantations (Munster then Ulster), penal laws, famines, rebellions, massacres (Drogheda- Oliver "the butcher" Cromwell) and wars later we get 1916 - 1921... Irish Free State with Partition.
In the 1918 general election, the overwhelming majority of the people voted for Independence which gave rise to the war of Independence. A truce a few years later and the Treaty. Treaty creates the southern Free State and the partition of Northern Ireland. The free state is still part of the empire but can govern its own affairs. The north stays with the UK.
This kicks of a brutal Civil war between pro-treaty and anti-treaty.
Anti-treaty followers say a treaty made when threated with "Terrible war" is no treaty, it also nulls the proclaimed republic and abandons northern nationalists.
Pro-Treaty argue with a Free State complete freedom can be gained in time and the Northern partition can eventually be removed. Also if not accepted Britain will flood Ireland with troops and freedom will slip away again.
Pro-treaty supports win the war.... eventually.
After time the Free State leaves the Empire and becomes the Republic.
The north stays as part of the UK and we have the fun we have now.

Irish history in a handfull of lines!



A bit from a Pogues song that popped into my head
"...
A curse upon you Oliver Cromwell
You who raped our Motherland
I hope you're rotting down in hell
For the horrors that you sent
To our misfortunate forefathers
Whom you robbed of their birthright
"To hell or Connaught" may you burn in hell tonight..."




Better head off Mo Chara :) Ash Nazg...


PS. for cheerful reading research the Penal laws and see how the Catholics were nicely shafted.
On second thoughts, dont bother, its too depressing like all Irish history for the past 800 years.