The Culture of Ireland as Influenced by British Rule

The beautiful, lush green vegetation of Ireland is often a lasting memory of the country of Ireland. However, after some time, the absence of trees is noted by many. In a sense, that positive and negative side of the physical landscape of Ireland is analogous to Ireland's experience of being ruled by Britain for hundreds of years.

In 7,000 BC, during the stone-age period, hunters from Britain settled in Ireland. Thereafter, around 3,000 BC, farmers began to raise animals and cultivate the soil. In about the 6th century BC, it was believed the first waves of Celtic invaders reached Ireland along with the earlier settlers. Celtic Ireland had a common farm-based culture, a rigid class structure and a common language. However, there was no common political structural; instead, there were about 150 small kingdoms, which were subject to one of five kings in a region (or province).

Christianity was introduced to Ireland in the 5th century and is traditionally associated with Saint Patrick of that time. Today over ninety percent of the population of the Republic of Ireland is classified as Roman Catholic, which is surprising, given the efforts of Britain to impose Protestantism on Ireland.

In 1541, Britain King Henry VIII declared himself king of Ireland. He was the first English monarch to do so. English settlers were brought to Ireland, and by 1601, the British arm decisively defeated the Irish . The native political system in Ireland was over thrown, and for the first time, a strong English central government ran all of Ireland. Repressive English policies were imposed, and a strong effort was made by Britain to impose Protestant religion. The effort largely failed, except in Ulster where new settlers had colonized the area. Gaelic Irish attempted a rebellion in 1641, but Oliver Cromwell crushed it. After the rebellion failed, Cromwell confiscated land and banished the former owner to the poorer areas of the country. This caused both the property and political power to pass the new Colonists from England.

Since 1921, the island of Ireland has been divided politically into two parts:

One being the independent Republic of Ireland, which has 26 countries, over 70,000 square kilometers, and a population of 3.5 million people. The second part is Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain. It contains six countries in the Ulster area and a population of 1.5 million people.

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