Ireland was originally innhabited by Iberian race populations. Between 600 and 500 BC it was invaded by the Celts, who left decisive marks in the culture of the island.
It never submitted to Roman rule, then it was christianized in 432 by S. Patrick (who became the patron saint of the island); the Irish ecclesiastical organization was predominantly monastic.
Later it suffered the invasion of Nordic (Danish) people. The subsequent period was marked by internal strife between the Celtic kings, and it was precisely one of these, Dermot MacMurrough, who urged English intervention on the island, swearing allegiance to the English king Henry II.
Thus began a large and quick conquest of Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, which culminated in 1171, when Henry himself settled in Dublin and from there began the introduction of the feudal system in Ireland. The essential factor of political stabilization was then the Church, which supported the conquest of the island.
The integration of the two cultures was very problematic, due to the enormous political, cultural and institutional difference between the British and the Irish.
While the most powerful British families continued the work of colonizing Ireland, the country reacted with the open rebellion.
In 1367 with the Statutes of Kilkenny Edward III introduced substantial discrimination between the British and the Irish. These measures made any agreement between the King of England and the Irish people impossible.
The complete subjugation of the island was accomplished in 1541 under Henry VIII.
Ireland became independent from the UK only in 1919, but Northern Ireland is still part of the United Kingdom.
Basma M.