by Jennifer Johnson

by Patrick Regan

For many years, the Irish had fought the British. The historic fight goes back many years to when Ireland was under British rule as the “Irish Lordship.” It later became a dual monarchy with England in the United Kingdoms of Ireland and England. However, this title meant nothing because the claimer of the Irish throne was King Henry VIII of England. Also, this title was removed when Scotland also joined and colonies were created transforming it into the British Empire. However, this is the main reason for a significant push for Irish Independence. The Irish fought many small wars with the English that were unfortunately quickly stomped out with no result. With the loss of the Irish kingship, the Irish had no actual representation and were seen as lower than British and practically subsume or slaves to the “superior British race.” They fled by the thousands to America to seek better fortune, but found no such results as Americans hated them also.

In 1916, the Irish saw their chance during WWI to be rid of their British oppressors. As Britain and her empire were wrapped in fighting the Germans, many famous Irishmen who are now legends throughout the Republic of Ireland sought freedom for Ireland through the means of a magnificent uprising. These figures include: Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, and Thomas MacDonagh. All leaders were executed by the British military. Patrick and Thomas were only in their late thirties. The people of Dublin, Ireland could only scrap together a citizen army and a group of volunteers numbering roughly 1,250 soldiers total. This, unfortunately, was not enough. This uprising, which came to be known as the “Easter Uprising” (1916, April 24-29th), was not easily forgotten.

The resilience of the Irish people had resounded in the hearts and minds of the people. They were reminded of the strong and proud people they had once been, free and independent of foreign oppression. They were reminded that the destiny of Ireland belonged to them, not the English. They came to see that people only saw them as the slaves of the British and no more than a rowdy group of people, who were “ethnically British”. But they were not and still are not. The Irish are a free, separate people with their own culture, customs, and language. This dream of freedom would never leave their minds.

In 1919, the Irish waged a full-fledged war against Britain to create an independent Irish Republic. They felt so strongly, they were willing to take on the brutal veterans of WWI and Britain’s fully mobilized military might. Through strength and determination as well as brutal guerilla tactics, they were able to defeat the British soundly. However, the British commit many atrocities and frightened many in the north with a huge Scottish population who were very loyal to Britain. A treaty was signed between Michael Collins, an Irish legend who is considered by many to be the father of modern Ireland, and Winston Churchill himself. The treaty stated that Ireland would only become a commonwealth and Northern Ireland would remain a full territory. This was highly frowned upon by many Irish though.

They were willing to continue the fight and started the Irish Civil War between Pro and Anti-Treaty forces. Even today, it is a misrepresented fact that the fighting is also due mainly to religious differences. Religion had a very small portion of any reason for the fighting. The whole reason for these wars was due to the Irish people being occupied by a foreign government. Of course, pro-treaty forces won, but the cost was heavy. Michael Collins was assassinated and the war made the British see a few flaws and Ireland gained a little more autonomy. The only country at the time to recognize Ireland as a legitimate nation was the Soviet Union. Not even America…

Along the way, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) hung around to carry on the fight with England. They carried out bombings in Britain and even tried to help the Nazi’s (who also recognized Irish Independence) invade England through Ireland if the Nazis promised to help their cause like they did in Spain. Needless to say, the Irish government shut the IRA down and drove out Nazi agents. Later in the 1970’s - 1980’s, the IRA in the North gained a lot of momentum and even started a whole new conflict known as The Troubles. This conflict however was different.

Politically, the IRA had no backing from the Irish government. But, many sympathized with them and many Irish in the US even funded the IRA. Stores run by Irish immigrants would ship money to the IRA and “Whitey Bulger”, the notorious Irish-American mobster, even supplied guns. The British committed many atrocities during this conflict (which infamously included ‘Bloody Sunday’) and the IRA were not so innocent either. As a whole, this conflict did end with the Good Friday Peace Accords. This treaty granted the Republic of Ireland full autonomy and the Irish people in the south finally achieved their goal of full freedom. Unfortunately, the 6 counties of the North: County Down, County Armagh, County Fermanagh, County Derry (or the British name “Londonderry”), County Antrim and County Tyrone still have no freedom and have no autonomy from Britain at all. This is why many groups in Ireland still fight for the cause of full Irish freedom and a united Ireland.

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