Ireland is a separate republic, while Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain. The Republic of Ireland is predominantly Catholic, while in Northern Ireland the majority of the population is Protestant.
The IRA-Irish Republican Army-continues to fight for the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic.
In Northern Ireland, Catholics have long been a minority; they have been socially disadvantaged for centuries. Many Irish residents lived in poorer conditions in Northern Ireland, while Britons predominantly lived in wealthier areas. Irish workers finally took to the streets to protest against the abuses and their disadvantage.
Although two faiths are opposing each other, the Northern Ireland conflict does not really have a religious background. It is a fight for the independence of the Irish people, for equality and for political power. The conflict, which officially broke out in 1969, was comparable to a civil war. The fight between Protestants and Catholics of Irish descent repeatedly escalated and claimed many victims. In 2005 she renounced violence. Since 1969, the organization has wanted to force Northern Ireland's independence from Great Britain. The IRA did not shy away from murder and terrorist attacks. More than 3,600 people fell victim to the attacks.
The majority of Catholics want to join the Republic of Ireland, so they are “Nationalists” or “Republicans”. The Protestants, on the other hand, want to remain British. They are therefore called “Loyalists” or “Unionists”.