Introduction
Northern Ireland is the smallest of the four countries that make up the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see Figure 1), often shortened to
Great Britain or the United Kingdom. The other countries are England, Scotland, and
Wales. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and also the largest city. The majority of
the people who live in Northern Ireland are of English or Scottish decent. Also most of
them are protestants and observe many English traditions and customs. The others are
Roman Catholics of Irish decent. There is conflict among the different groups in
Northern Ireland. There are many reasons for the conflict, dating back to the 1100's.
Instead of the problems being resolved over 800 years of history, they have only gotten
worse. Today's leaders are working hard on future outlooks between the different groups
in Northern Ireland. The fighting in Northern Ireland is serious and many compromises
need to be resolved before they consider future peace.
Ancient History: 1100's - 1700
In the 1100's, the King of Leinster in the Irish Southeast was overthrown by the High
King. The King of Leinster asked Henry II for assistance in regaining his kingdom.
Henry gave the king permission to recruit Norman soldiers, and promised that they
would get some Irish land in return. In 1171 when the King of Leinster died, a Norman
baron name Strongbow took the privilege in declaring himself King of Leinster. When
the other normans seized Irish land, to make sure that they stayed loyal to him, Henry II
traveled to Ireland in 1171 and made everyone see him as the Lord of Ireland.