Coursework questions-Northern Ireland Q1
Ireland is a country that has been through many struggles in their history, one of the most noticed changes in Ireland was the creation of Northern Ireland. This made Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland is the part that stayed part of the UK. This upset many people in the Republic, as they wanted a united Ireland still separate from the UK, which has caused many disagreements and violence. The disputes are from 4 different groups, the Republicans and Nationalists, and the Loyalists and Unionists.
There are different beliefs between the Nationalists/Republicans and the Unionists/Loyalists, and in many different factors, such as their religious beliefs, political beliefs, and what they believe is right and wrong, example, Nationalists/Republicans want a united Ireland, whereas Unionists/Loyalists wish to be part of the UK. Another example is the main religion of Unionists and Loyalists is the Protestant faith; on the other hand the main religion of Republicans and Nationalists is Catholic. This may have something to do with phases that took place in the history of Ireland, where England tried to convert Ireland to Protestant many Catholics were angry with this and resulted in fighting. So the part of Ireland that wishes to be part of the UK will be the part that has most to do with Britain, such as religious belief. However each religion are both Christian, however they follow it in different ways. There are 2 different main forms of Protestant in Ireland, the Irish Anglican Church, and the Presbyterian. The Anglican Church is much more like the Church of England, as it is influenced by the English belief. The Presbyterian Church is more simple and plain in appearance; this church is much more anti-pope and anti-Catholic. Overall Protestants have a very dull way of belief with hardly a lot of decorations in their churches, and their main religious leader is the Arch Bishop. Some Catholics are slightly anti-protestant, most likely, as it was England that brought Protestants to Ireland. Catholics are much more decorative with their churches, and their main religious leader is the Pope. So there you can see the 2 different religions of Republicans/Nationalists and Loyalists/Unionists, and each religion aren’t that keen on each other, so this gives some idea of why there is some fighting. Another difference is the cultural differences between Republicans/Nationalists and Loyalists/Unionists.
