module 3 Ireland: the soul BEFORE READING 1 2 What does this picture make you think of? What happened in 1916? Do you know the reason why Ireland is such a troubled country? Read Text 1 and find it out. Some history Native Irish are of Celtic origin (see the Celts in Scotland ) and Irish Gaelic, still spoken in some areas, is the second official language. Ireland before the Plantation Gaelic Ireland was a patchwork of independent kingdoms, each ruled by a chieftain and united by common legal, social and religious traditions. Under Elizabeth I some new towns were built in Northern Ireland for Protestant Scottish settlers and King James I wanted to colonise Ulster to win over the rude and barbarous Irish . Unit English and Scottish planters The Plantation of Ulster began in the 17th century when, after the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell gave the land confiscated from the Irish population to the English and Scottish Protestants. In 1690 Protestant King William of Orange defeated the Catholic army of King James II at the Battle of the Boyne to confirm his claim to the English throne and with it to Ireland, so, by the end of the 17th century, Ulster was heavily settled, mainly by Scottish Presbyterians. In the 19th century Ireland was a very poor country and lots of Irish people had to emigrate to the USA not to starve, especially during the potato famine. The Irish Free State was set up in the southern 26 counties of Ireland. Its architect , Michael Collins, was assassinated during the civil war between his Free State forces and the IRA, which did not accept the partition. As a consequence of the partition, Northern Ireland had its own Parliament, but it was dominated by the Protestants and the Catholic community suffered from discrimination. ACTIVITIES 1 a. Who was the first king who wanted to colonize the country? Easter Rising The 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence that followed in 1919-21 transformed the political landscape in Ireland. The Rising took place when Britain and Ireland were at war with Germany. Some Irish rebels seized the Post Office building in the centre of Dublin, but were eventually ousted by British soldiers. In the end fifteen leaders of the rebellion were executed. In 1922 the first Northern Ireland Parliament opened. After a long and bitter guerrilla campaign against the British Army, Ireland was given partial home rule. Answer some questions about Irish history (Text 1). b. What was Cromwell s role in Irish history? c. When did Ireland rebel and when did it become independent? d. How was the country parted? e. What kind of conflict characterized the 60s and the 70s? f. When was the Good Friday agreement signed? 2 Ireland has a long cultural tradition made of music, legends, fairy tales and literature. Can you mention any examples?