Popular Politics Articles

The Anglo-Irish Agreement: A Brief History and Overview

In 1985, the British and Irish governments signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement, a landmark accord aimed at addressing the political conflict in Northern Ireland. The agreement recognized the legitimacy of the Republic of Ireland's interest in Northern Ireland and...

Ireland Joins The European Union (EU)

Ireland's journey to the European Union (EU) was not straightforward, but it culminated in the country joining the bloc in 1973. Ireland's membership of the EU was a significant milestone in the country's history, as it marked a shift from a traditionally...

John Hume: The Visionary Leader Who Championed Non-Violence in Politics

John Hume (1937-2020) was an Irish politician and civil rights leader who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Republic of Ireland Act Is Signed in 1949

The Republic of Ireland Act was signed by the President of Ireland. It became law on 21 December 1948 and was brought into force on 18 April 1949, the 33rd anniversary of the Easter Rising. Since Eamon De Valera had introduced his constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann)...

The Irish Civil War (1922-1923)

With the ratification of the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 by Dáil Éireann, albeit by a very small majority, the seeds of the civil war were sown. The Treaty accepted the de facto partition of Ireland into a 26 county...

Éamon de Valera - Irish President

Éamon de Valera is the man who, more than anyone else, determined Ireland’s fate and character for most of the 20th century. He was an enigmatic character, some would say cold and aloof but undoubtedly charismatic, who...

The Partition of Ireland

The British had hoped that the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 would lead to the end of the war on the island of Ireland. As it stood the act was not acceptable to either the Republican or the Unionists of Ireland....

Government of Ireland Act 1920

By the late 1920's Ireland was in a state of disarray from the Irish war of independence. The British forces of the Royal Irish Constabulary along with the Black and Tans and the retaliated against the IRA and Sinn...

Declaration of the United Irishmen

The following article is the partial declaration of the United Irishmen Society formed in 1791 by Theobold Wolfe Tone and others. The aims of the United Irishmen Society were initially in tune with Henry Grattan and Thomas Burke’s wish for gradual change in Ireland,...

The Society of United Irishmen

As the 18th century progressed, many members of the Ascendancy Government, in Ireland, began to resent England’s domination over the Kingdom of Ireland. Throughout the century many Presbyterian's had emigrated to the American colonies seeking a better life and freedom...

The Effects of the Penal Laws Upon Irish Society

As the 18th century progressed, the anti-Catholic penal laws were strengthened and had a profound effect upon all aspects of Irish society. The great Gaelic lords were gone and the clans beat and subdued. The Catholic Old English were totally excluded from all the...

Daniel O’Connell (1775 - 1847)

Daniel O’Connell was born in 1775, into an affluent Catholic, Gaelic family from County Kerry. He was educated in France and was one of the first Catholics called to the Irish Bar in 1798. His experiences of revolutionary France and of the United Irishmen rebellions...

Restoration Act Of Settlement In 1662

In 1660 the Monarchy was restored in the person of Charles ll as monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland. Those Royalists in Ireland who had land confiscated under the Commonwealth government petitioned the King to return their properties back...