By Brian Igoe
By Brian Igoe
The twentieth century was witnessing a fundamental change as great in its way as that which saw the Penal Laws divide the inhabitants of the Irish island, and as that which saw the United Irishmen begin to unite them again.
What matters that at different shrines
We pray unto one God?
What matters that at different times
Our fathers won this sod?
In fortune and in name we're bound
By stronger links than steel;
And neither can be safe nor sound
But in each other's weal.
So had Thomas Davis written in The Nation in 1797. But now in 1905 party positions were once again being taken up along religious lines. Increasingly the idea of Independence was being equated with Catholicism, and the Union with Protestantism. In Ulster Independence seemed much less attractive - Belfast was much more industrialised than the rest of the country and so benefited much more from being part of Great Britain, and the people in power were Protestant. And anyhow, an Independence for Ireland which included them would mean that they would be a religious minority. How then would they fare?
That is the first paragraph of the chapter, which then goes on to look at Industrial Revolution in Belfast, Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Unionist Council, Sinn Féin, Éamon de Valera, 'absenteeism', the First Dáil, Irish Volunteers, Irish Republican Army, the IRA, Tipperary Town, Soloheadbeg, Dan Breen, Westport, Republican law courts, Ballinrobe in County Mayo, Dáil Éireann, 'Irish Republic Police', an Industrial Disputes Board, Land Bank, the Truce in July 1921, 'Michael Collins' or 'the Wind that shakes the Barley', De Valera, Michael Collins, the RIC, Black and Tans, IRA, Seán Treacy, Tipperary, Twelve Apostles, Sergeant 'the Dog' Smith, Croke Park, Dublin, 'Bloody Sunday', 1920, Lloyd George, Government of Ireland Act.
The Book is called 'The Story of Ireland'. It is available either as a paperback, an ebook, or a much smaller "pocket" sized paper back edition (4.2" x 6.8") for travellers.The printed books can be bought online here.
The E-book can be purchased directly from our site here.