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'The Troubles' rolled back and forth throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. In August 1994 the announcement of a 'permanent cessation of violence' on behalf of the IRA by Sinn Fein's leader, Gerry Adams, offered the almost unimagined prospect of peace in Ulster. When Protestant paramilitary forces responded with their own ceasefire in October 1994, most British troops were withdrawn from Northern Ireland.
Peace negotiations were shattered in February 1996 by an IRA bomb in London. In June 1997 Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, promised to admit ^nn Fern to all-party talks following any new cease-fire. Encouraged by this, the IRA declared another cease-fire on 20 July 1997.
To worldwide acclaim these talks produced the Good Friday agreement on 10 April 1998. This complex agreement allows the people of Northern Ireland to decide their political future by majority vote, and it commits its signatories to ‘democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues’. It further established a new Northern Irish parliament and high-level political links between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
In May 1998 the Good Friday agreement was approved by 71 % of voters in referendums held simultaneously on both sides of the Irish border. Though this historic vote is not a guarantee of peace, it is the best hope in a generation even despite the continuing violence of splinter groups such as the so-called 'Real IRA'. This particular group, comprising former IRA members who are vehemently opposed to the Good Friday agreement, was responsible for Ireland's single most lethal act of terrorism - the August 1998 bombing in Omagh, Northern Ireland, which killed 28 people and wounded at least 330 others.
Since the Good Friday Agreement the peace process has stopped and started, the new parliament being suspended then reinstated. In Derry there is an official inquiry into the events surrounding Bloody Sunday, which some say is a token gesture. And although at times it seems that the Troubles have been reduced to political banter between the parties, one thing is for sure: Ireland, the island, has an optimistic future and most agree that the 'war' is over.
GEOGRAPHY
Ireland is divided into 32 counties: 26 in the Republic and six in Northern Ireland. The island measures 84,421 sq km (about 83% is the Republic) and stretches 486km north to south and 275km east to west. The jagged coastline extends for 5631km. The midlands of Ireland are flat, generally rich farmland with huge swaths of brown peat (which is rapidly being depleted for fuel).
Climate
Ireland has a relatively mild climate with a mean annual temperature of 10°C. June, July and August are the sunniest months; December and January the gloomiest. Annual rainfall is about 1000mm, and it often rains every day for weeks on end.
PEOPLE
Population
The total population of Ireland is around 5.2 million. The Republic's population is 3.6 million and Northern Ireland has about 1.6 million people. The Irish are an easy-going, loquacious, fun-loving people. They are used to tourists and there are few social taboos. In Northern Ireland people have been wary of discussing the Troubles – but this is changing. Do not take humorous Irish scepticism or sarcasm too seriously.
Religion
Almost everybody is either Catholic or Protestant, with the Republic 95% Catholic and Northern Ireland about 60% Protestant. The Jewish community in Ireland is tiny but long-established.
Language
English.
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