History of Ireland in Timeline

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic, divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, separated from Great Britain by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. It's the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest worldwide. In 2022, the island's population was just over 7 million, with 5.1 million in the Republic of Ireland and 1.9 million in Northern Ireland, making it the second-most populous island in Europe after Great Britain.

1900: Cultural Nationalists and the Gaelic Revival

By 1900, cultural nationalists had begun the Gaelic revival, which saw the beginnings of modern literature in Irish.

1900: Publication of Aether and Matter by Sir Joseph Larmor

In 1900, Sir Joseph Larmor published "Aether and Matter", a book on theoretical physics.

Aether and Matter

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1904: Founding of the Abbey Theatre

In 1904, the Abbey Theatre, the Republic of Ireland's national theatre, was founded.

1913: Formation of the Ulster Volunteers

In 1913, the Ulster Volunteers were formed under the leadership of Edward Carson to prevent the Home Rule bill from passing.

1914: Home Rule Bill

In 1914, it looked certain that the Home Rule bill would finally pass.

1914: Establishment of the Irish Volunteers

In 1914, the Irish Volunteers were established to ensure the Home Rule Bill was passed. The Act was passed but suspended due to World War I. The Irish Volunteers then split into the National Volunteers and the Irish Volunteers.

1916: Easter Rising

In 1916, the Easter Rising was carried out by the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army. The British response turned the mood of the country in favor of the rebels.

1918: Sinn Féin Receives Endorsement

In the general election of 1918, the pro-independence republican party, Sinn Féin, received overwhelming endorsement.

1918: Conscription Crisis

Support for Irish republicanism increased further due to the ongoing war in Europe, as well as the Conscription Crisis of 1918.

1919: Proclamation of the Irish Republic

In 1919, Sinn Féin proclaimed an Irish Republic, setting up its own parliament (Dáil Éireann) and government.

1920: Government of Ireland Act

Northern Ireland resulted from the division of the United Kingdom by the Government of Ireland Act in 1920.

July 1921: Truce in the Guerrilla War

In July 1921, a truce was called ending a three-year guerrilla war launched by the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

December 1921: Anglo-Irish Treaty

In December 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was concluded between the British government and representatives of the Second Dáil, granting Ireland complete independence in its home affairs.

1921: Irish population reduced to slightly over four million

By 1921, the population of Ireland had decreased to slightly over four million, down from over eight million in 1841, due to the Great Famine and emigration.

1921: Dublin Clubs Form Football Association

In 1921, Dublin-based clubs broke away to form the Football Association of the Irish Free State after an incident where the IFA moved an Irish Cup semi-final replay from Dublin to Belfast.

1921: Partition of Ireland

Prior to partition in 1921, Ireland had a long history as an economic colony.

June 1922: Violence in Northern Ireland

Violence continued until June 1922, mostly in Northern Ireland.

1922: Publication of James Joyce's Ulysses

In 1922, James Joyce's novel Ulysses was published, which is considered one of the most important works of Modernist literature.

Ulysses

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May 1923: End of the Irish Civil War

In May 1923, the Irish Civil War officially ended when Éamon de Valera issued a cease-fire order.

1923: FAI Recognized by FIFA

In 1923, the Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAI) was recognized by FIFA.

1926: FAI Organizes First International Fixture

In 1926, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) organized its first international fixture against Italy.

1928: Establishment of An Taibhdhearc

In 1928, An Taibhdhearc, the national Irish-language theatre, was established in Galway.

1929: Elections under "first-past-the-post"

In 1929, elections in Northern Ireland began using the "first-past-the-post" system, leading to the Ulster Unionist Party controlling the government and further alienating the minority Catholic community.

1937: Adoption of a New Constitution

In 1937, a new constitution was adopted, completing a process of gradual separation from the British Empire.

September 1941: End of German Intelligence Operations

In September 1941, German intelligence operations in Ireland ended with arrests based on surveillance in Dublin.

1941: Bombing Raids in Belfast

In 1941, Belfast suffered four bombing raids as part of Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

1947: Fred Daly Wins British Open

In 1947, Fred Daly wins the British Open

1948: Republic of Ireland Act

In 1948, the Irish Free State declared itself a republic with the Republic of Ireland Act, becoming increasingly sovereign over the preceding decades.

1949: Publication of Cré na Cille by Máirtín Ó Cadhain

In 1949, Máirtín Ó Cadhain's novel Cré na Cille was published, which is regarded as a modernist masterpiece.

Graveyard Clay: Cré na Cille (The Margellos World Republic of Letters)

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1949: Declaration of the Republic of Ireland

In 1949, the state was officially declared to be the Republic of Ireland.

1950: FIFA Directs Association Player Selection

In 1950, FIFA directed the associations only to select players from within their respective territories.

1951: Ernest Walton wins Nobel Prize in Physics

In 1951, Ernest Walton won the Nobel Prize in Physics for being the first to split the nucleus of the atom by artificial means.

1953: FAI and IFA Team Names Mandated by FIFA

In 1953, FIFA directed that the FAI's team be known only as "Republic of Ireland" and that the IFA's team be known as "Northern Ireland".

1953: Irish Whiskey Unknown to Many US Drinkers

In 1953, an Irish government survey found that 50% of whiskey drinkers in the United States had never heard of Irish whiskey.

1958: Northern Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 1958, Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals, reaching the quarter-finals.

1961: Population Decline

By 1961, the population continued to fall post-famine.

1967: Discovery of pulsars

In 1967, astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered pulsars.

1969: Emergence of the Provisional IRA

In 1969, the Provisional IRA emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army and initiated a campaign against the "British occupation of the six counties" in pursuit of a united Ireland.

1970: Last European to Win US Open

In 1970, the last European won the US Open, before Graeme McDowell's victory in 2010.

1972: Imposition of direct rule

In 1972, due to the civil unrest during the Troubles, the British government suspended home rule and imposed direct rule over Northern Ireland.

1972: Self-Governing Jurisdiction

Until 1972, Northern Ireland was a self-governing jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.

1973: Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC)

In 1973, both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom acceded to the European Economic Community (EEC), which was a precursor to the European Union.

1973: Ireland Joins European Economic Community

In 1973, both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, with Northern Ireland as part of it, joined the European Economic Community.

1973: Sunningdale Agreement

In 1973, there was an unsuccessful attempt to end the Troubles politically with the Sunningdale Agreement.

1982: Northern Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 1982, Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals.

1986: Northern Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 1986, Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals.

1987: Improvement of Economy

Beginning in 1987 the economy improved, leading to substantial economic growth in the 1990s.

1988: Republic of Ireland Qualifies for European Championship

In 1988, the Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship.

1990: Republic of Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 1990, the Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals, reaching the quarter-finals.

1991: Ireland Hosts Rugby World Cup Games

In 1991, Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup, including a quarter-final.

1994: Armagh re-granted city status

In 1994, Armagh was re-granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II, having lost that status in local government reforms of 1840.

1994: Irish Rugby Goes Professional

In 1994, Irish rugby became increasingly competitive at both the international and provincial levels since the sport went professional.

1994: Republic of Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 1994, the Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals.

1994: Provisional IRA and loyalist ceasefires

Violence decreased greatly after the Provisional IRA and loyalist ceasefires in 1994.

1995: Growth of GDP

Between 1995 and 1999, the Republic's real GDP grew by an average of 9.6% per annum.

1995: Sonia O'Sullivan Wins Gold at World Championships

In 1995, Sonia O'Sullivan won a gold medal at the World Championships in the 5,000 metres event.

1995: Start of the Celtic Tiger period

In 1995, a period of rapid economic expansion began in the Republic of Ireland, which became known as the Celtic Tiger period.

1995: Heat wave in Ireland

Ireland experienced a heat wave in 1995.

1998: Good Friday Agreement

In 1998, following a ceasefire by the Provisional IRA and multi-party talks, the Good Friday Agreement was concluded as a treaty between the British and Irish governments.

1999: Ireland Hosts Rugby World Cup Games

In 1999, Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup, including a quarter-final.

1999: John B. Cosgrave discovered a 2000-digit prime number

In 1999, John B. Cosgrave discovered a 2000-digit prime number.

1999: Economically significant finds in the Corrib Gas Field

In 1999, economically significant finds of natural gas were made in the Corrib Gas Field off the coast of County Mayo.

1999: Republic Joins Euro

In 1999, the Republic of Ireland joined the euro.

2000: John B. Cosgrave discovered a 2000-digit prime number

In 2000, John B. Cosgrave discovered a 2000-digit prime number.

2000: Sonia O'Sullivan Wins Silver at Sydney Olympics

In 2000, Sonia O'Sullivan won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics in the 5,000 metres event.

2000: Discovery of the Helvick oil field

In 2000, the Helvick oil field was discovered, estimated to contain over 28 million barrels of oil.

2000: Sixth-Richest Country

In 2000, the Republic of Ireland was the sixth-richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

2001: Kilkenny ceases to be a city for administrative purposes

In 2001, Kilkenny ceased to be a city for administrative purposes due to the Local Government Act, but it is entitled by law to continue to use the description.

2002: Republic of Ireland Qualifies for World Cup

In 2002, the Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals.

2003: Gaelic Football Dominates Sports Attendance

In 2003, Gaelic football accounted for 34% of total sports attendances at events in Ireland and abroad, followed by hurling at 23%, soccer at 16%, and rugby at 8%.

2003: Gillian O'Sullivan Wins Silver at World Championships

In 2003, Gillian O'Sullivan won a silver medal in the 20k walk at the World Championships.

2003: John B. Cosgrave discovered a record composite Fermat number

In 2003, John B. Cosgrave discovered a record composite Fermat number.

2003: Heat wave in Ireland

Ireland experienced a heat wave in 2003.

2004: Ireland Wins Triple Crown

In 2004, the Irish International side won a Triple Crown in the Six Nations Championship.

2004: Increased Investment in Renewable Energy Research

Since 2004, there has been increased research and development in renewable energy, such as wind power, in the Republic of Ireland.

2004: EU expansion

Since the European Union expanded to include Poland in 2004, Polish people have comprised the largest number of immigrants (over 150,000) from Central Europe.

2005: Provisional IRA announces end of armed campaign

In 2005, the Provisional IRA announced the end of its armed campaign, and an independent commission supervised its disarmament and that of other nationalist and unionist paramilitary organisations.

2005: Katie Taylor Wins Gold at Championships

Since 2005, Katie Taylor has won gold in every European and World championship.

2006: Canadian population of Irish descent

As of 2006, 4.3 million Canadians, or 14% of the population, were of Irish descent.

2006: Foreign nationals in the Republic of Ireland

As of 2006, there were 420,000 foreign nationals in the Republic of Ireland, representing about 10% of the population.

2006: Increase in the Muslim population

Between the 2006 and 2011 census, the Muslim community in the Republic of Ireland experienced a 50% increase, mostly through increased immigration.

2006: County Leitrim Population Increase

In 2006, County Leitrim became the final Irish county to record a population increase post-famine.

2006: Derval O'Rourke Wins Gold at World Indoor Championship

In 2006, Derval O'Rourke won gold at the World Indoor Championship in Moscow in sprint hurdles.

2006: Munster Wins Heineken Cup

In 2006, Munster won the Heineken Cup.

2006: Salmon Fishing Boosted by Driftnet Fishery Closure

In 2006, salmon fishing received a boost with the closing of the salmon driftnet fishery.

2006: Ryder Cup Held at The K Club

In 2006, the Ryder Cup was held at The K Club in County Kildare.

2006: Heat wave in Ireland

Ireland experienced a heat wave in 2006.

July 2007: Pádraig Harrington Wins British Open

In July 2007, Pádraig Harrington became the first Irishman since 1947 to win the British Open at Carnoustie.

2007: International Sports Played at Croke Park

From 2007, international rugby and soccer were played at Croke Park during the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium.

2007: Restoration of Assembly and Executive and end of Operation Banner

In 2007, the Assembly and power-sharing Executive were restored, and the British government officially ended its military support of the police in Northern Ireland (Operation Banner) and began withdrawing troops.

2007: Ireland Wins Triple Crown

In 2007, the Irish International side won a Triple Crown in the Six Nations Championship.

July 2008: Pádraig Harrington Defends British Open Title

In July 2008, Pádraig Harrington successfully defended his British Open title.

2008: Kenneth Egan and Paddy Barnes Win Medals at Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Kenneth Egan won a silver medal and Paddy Barnes secured bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games.

2008: Munster Wins Heineken Cup

In 2008, Munster won the Heineken Cup.

2008: Start of the Irish economic downturn

In 2008, the rapid economic expansion of the Celtic Tiger period came to an end due to the post-2008 Irish economic downturn.

2008: Economic Downturn

The post-2008 Irish economic downturn dramatically ended the period of boom. GDP fell by 3% in 2008.

2008: Eastern and central European migrant workers left Ireland

Up to 50,000 eastern and central European migrant workers left Ireland in response to the post-2008 Irish economic downturn.

2009: Irish Whiskey's Popularity and Characteristics

In 2009, CNBC stated Irish whiskey remains popular domestically and has grown in international sales steadily over a few decades, characterizing it as less smoky than Scotch and less sweet than American or Canadian whiskies.

2009: GDP Fell

In 2009, GDP fell by 7.1%, the worst year since records began, although earnings by foreign-owned businesses continued to grow.

2009: Leinster Wins Heineken Cup and Ireland Achieves Grand Slam

In 2009, Leinster won the Heineken Cup and the Irish International side achieved a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship.

2009: Olive Loughnane Wins Silver at World Athletics Championships

In 2009, Olive Loughnane won a silver medal in the 20k walk at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

2009: Births to mothers born outside of Ireland

In 2009, nearly a quarter (24 percent) of births in the Republic of Ireland were to mothers born outside of Ireland.

2009: Economic depression in Ireland

In 2009, the Republic of Ireland experienced an economic depression following the post-2008 economic downturn.

2010: Unusually cold weather

During the winter of 2010-11, Ireland experienced unusually cold weather with temperatures falling as low as −17.2 °C in County Mayo on December 20.

2010: Graeme McDowell Wins U.S. Open

In 2010, Graeme McDowell became the first Irish golfer to win the U.S. Open, and the first European to win that tournament since 1970.

2010: Paddy Barnes Wins Gold at European and Commonwealth Games

In 2010, Paddy Barnes secured gold in the European Amateur Boxing Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

2010: Religious service attendance

In a 2010 survey conducted on behalf of the Irish Times, 32% of respondents said they went to a religious service more than once per week.

2010: Bundoran Hosts European Championship Surfing

Since just before the year 2010, Bundoran has hosted European championship surfing.

2010: International Sports Played at Croke Park

Until 2010, international rugby and soccer were played at Croke Park during the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium.

2011: Increase in the Muslim population

Between the 2006 and 2011 census, the Muslim community in the Republic of Ireland experienced a 50% increase, mostly through increased immigration.

2011: Leinster Wins Heineken Cup

In 2011, Leinster won the Heineken Cup.

2011: Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke Win Open Championships

In 2011, Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open and Darren Clarke won the Open Championship at Royal St. George's.

June 2012: Martin McGuinness Shakes Hands with Queen Elizabeth II

On June 27, 2012, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister and former IRA commander, Martin McGuinness, shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II in Belfast, symbolizing reconciliation between the two sides.

August 2012: Rory McIlroy Wins USPGA Championship

In August 2012, Rory McIlroy won his 2nd major championship by winning the USPGA Championship by a record margin of 8 shots.

August 2012: Katie Taylor Wins Gold at London Olympics

In August 2012, at the Olympic Games in London, Katie Taylor became the first Irish woman to win a gold medal in boxing in the 60 kg lightweight category.

2012: Leinster Wins Heineken Cup

In 2012, Leinster won the Heineken Cup.

2012: Genetic Research on Early Farmers

In 2012, research showed that the occurrence of genetic markers for the earliest farmers was almost eliminated by Beaker-culture immigrants, with a new Y-chromosome R1b marker.

2012: Republic of Ireland Qualifies for European Championship

In 2012, the Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship.

2012: Unemployment Above 14%

In 2012, unemployment, which doubled during 2009, remained above 14%.

2013: Irish-Americans and Americans who claimed Irish ancestry

As of 2013, there were 40 million Irish-Americans and 33 million Americans who claimed Irish ancestry.

2013: Heat wave in Ireland

Ireland experienced a heat wave in 2013.

2014: Republic Ranked Among Top Clean-Technology Markets

In 2014, the Republic of Ireland ranked as one of the top 10 markets for clean-technology investment in the Global Green Economy Index.

2015: Ireland ranked sixth most developed nation

In 2015, the Republic of Ireland was ranked the sixth most developed nation in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index.

2016: Northern Ireland Qualifies for European Championship

In 2016, Northern Ireland qualified for the European Championship.

2016: Referendum on EU membership

In 2016, a referendum on EU membership was held in the UK which resulted in 51.9% of UK voters choosing to leave the bloc.

2018: Ireland Achieves Grand Slam

In 2018, the Irish International side achieved a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship.

2018: Heat wave in Ireland

Ireland experienced a heat wave in 2018.

2020: Kellie Harrington Wins Gold at Tokyo Olympics

In 2020, Kellie Harrington won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

2020: UK Leaves the European Union

In 2020, the UK left the European Union after a referendum on EU membership was held in 2016 which resulted in 51.9% of UK voters choosing to leave the bloc.

2020: Brexit Implementation

In 2020, the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, officially left the European Union (EU). Northern Ireland was granted a limited special status, allowing it to operate within the EU single market for goods.

2021: GDP and GDP Per Capita in Ireland

As of 2021, the GDP of the Republic of Ireland was €423.5 billion (nominal) with a GDP per capita of €84,049.9 (nominal). In Northern Ireland in 2021, the GDP was £52 billion (GVA Balanced) and GDP per capita was £27,154 (GVA Balanced).

2021: Revised Earliest Evidence of Human Activity in Ireland

Since 2021, the earliest evidence of human activity in Ireland has been dated to 33,000 years ago.

2022: Population Statistics for Ireland in 2022

In 2022, the population of the entire island of Ireland was just over 7 million, with 5.1 million residing in the Republic of Ireland and 1.9 million in Northern Ireland.