Ireland

Ireland is an island in North Western Europe divided into two countries, the Republic of Ireland, an independent state made up of 26 counties, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom and is made up of six counties. Irish indigenous culture has had a lasting influence across the globe, exhibited through its language, literature, music, dance and sport. The island was partitioned following the Irish War of Independence during the early 1900s, which was followed by a period of civil unrest known as The Troubles between the late 1960s to late 1990s. The Troubles were underlined by conflict between Protestant unionists, who wanted to see Northern Ireland remain part of the United Kingdom, and Roman Catholic nationalists, who wanted Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic. This ended with the Good Friday agreement in 1998.