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Although Ireland has been inhabited by various peoples over the millennia, it was the invasion of the Celts 2,500 years ago that changed the face of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They brought with them the language, music, games and laid-back attitude still in evidence today. The Roman’s did not seek inroads into Ireland, although Patrick brought their religion with him. Christianity then quickly became the dominant religion of the entire island.

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Oliver Cromwell, protector of England, arrived in the 1649 and killed as many Catholic natives as he seemingly could. When Protestant Dutchman William of Orange took the English throne he had the Protestants and Catholics of Ireland fighting tooth and nail for much of the rest of the 17th century.

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Ireland wanted out of the UK despite Britain’s rise to world power towards the end of the 19th century and although Britain was ready to grant the island autonomy Ulster Protestant concerns prevented them from doing so. The country was eventually given independence, but at a cost; the split between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was born and 3,000 people died in the ensuing Irish Civil war.

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Nationalist and Unionist ministers share power today in a devolved government and life in Northern Ireland is peaceful. During its tumultuous history, Northern Ireland has gathered some stunning colonial architecture and castles, many of which reside in the city centre of Belfast.

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