The conflict in Northern Ireland

The conflict which has opposed the Catholic republicans and the Protestant unionists in Northern Ireland constitutes one of the biggest political issues of the 20th century. Today the South part of the Island -the Eire- is totally independent with a majority of Catholic people. The North of Ireland is mainly Protestant. There, the Catholics are living in ghettos and are proud of their Irish roots.

The last decades have been particularly lethal for the Ulster’s inhabitants. Indeed, 3200 people died since 1969 in bombing or shouting. The first riots broke out in 1968, in Londonderry whereas the Catholics were struggling to obtain more civil rights. Then, the clashes between Protestants and Catholics were frequent. The numerous bombs by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) –which was on the side of the Catholic republicans- and the UVF (Ulster Volunteers Force) –which was on the side of the Protestant unionists- killed lots of civilian people.