Ireland

The Siege of Drogheda took place from 3 to 11 September 1649, during the Irish Confederate Wars. Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army besieged the town of Drogheda as part of Henry Ireton's campaign, culminating in a massacre. Cromwell's forces breached the walls of Drogheda and those defending, along with many civilians, were killed. The event is often cited as an example of Cromwell's brutal tactics in Ireland, leaving a legacy of animosity and historical sensitivity.

The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, began in September 1845 when a potato blight struck Ireland's potato crops, the staple food of its population. The ensuing famine lasted until 1849, leading to mass starvation, disease, and emigration. An estimated one million people died and over a million emigrated, significantly reducing the island’s population and altering its demographic structure, leaving impacts that were felt for generations.

The Easter Rising was a pivotal event in Irish history, occurring during Easter Week in April 1916. It was an armed insurrection staged by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was heavily engaged in World War I. The uprising began on 24 April 1916 and lasted for six days, but it was largely confined to Dublin. Despite its failure, it marked a critical moment in the path to Irish independence.

On January 21, 1919, the first meeting of Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament of the Irish Republic, took place in Dublin. This was a significant event that marked the formalization of Irish self-determination efforts against British rule following the general election of December 1918 where Sinn Féin, a pro-independence party, won a majority of Irish seats. The Dáil proclaimed an independent Irish Republic and initiated the War of Independence against British forces.

A truce was declared on July 11, 1921, effectively ending active hostilities in the Irish War of Independence. The conflict had begun in January 1919, following the establishment of Dáil Éireann and the declaration of an Irish Republic. The truce led to negotiations and the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which resulted in the establishment of the Irish Free State while the contentious division of Ireland also set the stage for the eventual outbreak of the Irish Civil War.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed on 6 December 1921, leading to the establishment of the Irish Free State on 6 December 1922. This marked the transition from British rule to autonomy for Ireland, albeit still within the British Commonwealth. The treaty created a self-governing entity and ended the Irish War of Independence. However, it caused a split among the Irish nationalists and led to the Civil War.

Bloody Sunday refers to the events of 30 January 1972, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in Derry, Northern Ireland. The march, organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, was against internment without trial. Thirteen people were killed on the day, with others wounded, some fatally. Bloody Sunday was a turning point in The Troubles, escalating violence and leading to increased support for the Irish republican movement.

The Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed on 15 November 1985 by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald. This treaty marked a crucial step towards improving British-Irish relations and addressed issues of sovereignty and cooperation in Northern Ireland. It gave the Republic of Ireland an advisory role in Northern Ireland’s governance and was a precursor to the peace process that led to the Good Friday Agreement.

Mary Robinson was elected as the first female President of Ireland on 7 November 1990. Her election was a landmark in Irish politics as she was viewed as a progressive candidate who revitalized the presidency, focusing on issues such as human rights and modernization. Her tenure is credited with transforming the role of the president, enhancing its influence and visibility. Robinson's presidency symbolized a significant shift in Irish society towards liberalism.

The Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998, was a major political development that helped bring an end to most of the violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The agreement established a devolved government for Northern Ireland and set up frameworks for cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Ireland. It was a key step in the peace process, receiving overwhelming voter support in referendums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.