The history of the English presence in Ireland is a long and contentious one, dating back to the 12th century when the English first arrived. Acts of rebellion against the English occured frequently, but the English continued to consolidate their power over the island - particulary in the northern province of Ulster - culm inating in the merging of Ireland and Great Britain to create the United Kingdom in 1801.
Today the term is used in concert with the outbreaks of violence throughout …show more content…
21/07/1972 - Bloody Friday - IRA set off 26 boms in belfast, killing 9 and injuring 130.
21/11/1974 - Birmingham pub bombings, 19 killed in two pubs.
27/08/1979 - The warrenpoint bombings killing 18 soldiers and assassinating Lord Mountbatten.
16/10/1984 - Brighton bombing - during the Conservative conference - killing 5 people.
08/05/1987 - The Loughgall ambush - SAS kill 8 IRA members as they attempt to bomb Loughgall police station.
08/11/1987 - Enniskillen bombing - As people gathered at Enniskillen war memorial on rememberence Sunday a bomb exploded killing 11 people and injuring 63.
6-19/03/1988 - 14 days, 3 of the darkest events of the troubles take place, triggering events that actually accelerate moves towards peace.
3 IRA members are shot dead in Gibralter
Michael Stone kills 3 at IRA funerals
Army corporals killed at IRA funeral
20/03/1993 - Warrington bomb attacks - 2 young boys are killed in bomb attack
31/08/1994 - Ceasefire - A framework document is drawn up by the UK and Irelands priministers which creates the conditions for an IRA ceasefire.
With horror and killings still taking place it was hard to believe peace was being talked