History of Ireland in Timeline

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic, divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It's west of Great Britain and ranks as the second-largest island in the British Isles and third-largest in Europe. The island's population is approximately 7 million as of 2022, with the Republic of Ireland holding 5.1 million and Northern Ireland at 1.9 million, making it the second-most populous island in Europe after Great Britain.

1900: Gaelic revival begins

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 Joseph Larmor

In 1900, Sir Joseph Larmor published his most influential work, Aether and Matter, a book on theoretical physics.

Aether and Matter

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1904: Founding of the Abbey Theatre

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

1913: Ulster Volunteers Formation

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

1914: Home Rule Bill

In 1914, after several attempts to pass a Home Rule bill through parliament, it looked certain that one would finally pass.

1914: Establishment of the Irish Volunteers

In 1914, the Irish Volunteers were established with the aim to ensure that the Home Rule Bill was passed.

1916: Easter Rising

In 1916, the Easter Rising was carried out by the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army.

1918: Sinn Féin Election Victory

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

1918: Conscription Crisis

The Conscription Crisis of 1918 increased support for Irish republicanism due to the ongoing war in Europe.

1919: Proclamation of Irish Republic

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

1920: Government of Ireland Act

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

July 1921: Truce in the Guerrilla War

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

December 1921: Anglo-Irish Treaty Concluded

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: Population Decline

By 1921, the population of Ireland was reduced to slightly over four million.

1921: Dublin clubs break away to form the Football Association of the Irish Free State

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

1921: Partition of Ireland

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

June 1922: Continued Violence

In June 1922, violence continued, mostly in Northern Ireland, despite the truce of July 1921.

1922: Publication of Ulysses by James Joyce

James Joyce's 1922 novel "Ulysses" is considered one of the most important works of Modernist literature.

Ulysses

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May 1923: End of 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 organised its first international fixture

In 1926, the FAI (Football Association of the Irish Free State) organised its first international fixture against Italy.

1928: Establishment of An Taibhdhearc

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

1929: First-past-the-post electoral system

In 1929, the government of Northern Ireland, elected by "first-past-the-post", was controlled by the Ulster Unionist Party.

1937: Adoption of 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 when police made arrests based on surveillance carried out on key diplomatic legations in Dublin.

1941: Bombing of Belfast

In 1941, Belfast suffered four bombing raids as Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, was not neutral during the Second World War.

1947: Fred Daly

In 1947, Fred Daly won the British Open.

1948: Republic of Ireland Act

In 1948, the Irish Free State officially declared itself a republic, becoming the Republic of Ireland.

1949: Republic of Ireland Officially Declared

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

1949: Publication of Cré na Cille by Máirtín Ó Cadhain

Máirtín Ó Cadhain's 1949 novel Cré na Cille is regarded as a modernist masterpiece.

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

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1950: FIFA directed the associations only to select players from within their respective territories

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

1951: Ernest Walton wins the Nobel Prize in Physics

Ernest Walton won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to splitting the nucleus of the atom by artificial means and contributions to the development of a new theory of wave equation.

1953: FAI's team to be known only as "Republic of Ireland" and that the IFA's team be known as "Northern Ireland"

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: Survey found that 50% of whiskey drinkers in the United States had never heard of Irish whiskey

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 qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1961: Population Decline

In 1961, the population of Ireland continued to fall. County Leitrim was the final Irish county to record a population increase post-famine, in 2006.

1967: Discovery of pulsars by Jocelyn Bell Burnell

In 1967, the astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered pulsars.

1969: Emergence of the Provisional IRA

In 1969, the paramilitary Provisional IRA emerged from a split in the Irish Republican Army and began a campaign against what it called the "British occupation of the six counties".

1970: Last time a European won the U.S. Open before Graeme McDowell in 2010

1970 was the last time a European won the U.S. Open, before Graeme McDowell won in 2010.

1972: Suspension of Home Rule

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

1972: Self-Governing Jurisdiction

Until 1972, Northern Ireland was a self-governing jurisdiction within the United Kingdom with its own parliament and prime minister.

1973: Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC)

In 1973, The Republic of Ireland and The United Kingdom both acceded to the European Economic Community (EEC).

1973: Joined European Economic Community

In 1973, both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, 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 qualified for the World Cup finals

Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals in 1982.

1986: Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals in 1986.

1987: Economic Improvement

Beginning in 1987, the Irish economy improved after a period of large-scale emigration.

1988: Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship

The Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship in 1988.

1990: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1991: Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup

Ireland hosted games during the 1991 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 went professional

In 1994, Irish rugby became professional.

1994: Provisional IRA and loyalist ceasefires

In 1994, violence had decreased greatly after the Provisional IRA and loyalist ceasefires.

1994: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

The Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals in 1994.

1995: Start of the Celtic Tiger period

A period of rapid economic expansion from 1995 onwards became known as the Celtic Tiger period.

1995: Economic Growth

Beginning in 1995, the Republic of Ireland experienced substantial economic growth, known as the Celtic Tiger.

1995: Sonia O'Sullivan won gold at the World Championships

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

1995: Heat wave

Ireland was affected by 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: John B. Cosgrave discovered a 2000-digit prime number

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

1999: Discovery of natural gas in the Corrib Gas Field

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

1999: Joined the Euro

In 1999, the Republic of Ireland joined the euro.

1999: Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup

Ireland hosted games during the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

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

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

2000: Sonia O'Sullivan won silver at the Sydney Olympics

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

2000: Discovery of the Helvick oil field

In 2000, the Helvick oil field was discovered, which was estimated to contain over 28 million barrels (4,500,000 m) 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: Local Government Act

Since the 2001 Local Government Act, Kilkenny is no longer a city for administrative purposes, but is entitled by law to continue to use the description.

2002: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

The Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals in 2002.

2003: Sports Attendances in Ireland

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

2003: Gillian O'Sullivan won silver in the 20k walk at the World Championships

In 2003, Gillian O'Sullivan won silver 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

Ireland was affected by a heat wave in 2003.

2004: Ireland won a Triple Crown

In 2004, the Irish International side had success in the Six Nations Championship, including a Triple Crown.

2004: Increased research and development in renewable energy

Research and development in renewable energy (such as wind power) has increased since 2004.

2004: EU expansion to include Poland

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 has won gold in every European and World championship

Since 2005, Katie Taylor has consistently won gold medals in every European and World championship she has participated in.

2006: Census in the Republic of Ireland

According to the 2006 census, the Muslim community is growing in Ireland, mostly through increased immigration.

2006: Irish diaspora in Canada

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, The Republic of Ireland had 420,000 foreign nationals, about 10% of the population.

2006: Population increase in County Leitrim

In 2006, County Leitrim recorded a population increase, being the final Irish county to do so post-famine.

2006: Munster won the Heineken Cup

In 2006, Munster won the Heineken Cup.

2006: The Ryder Cup was held at The K Club

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

2006: Derval O'Rourke won gold at the World Indoor Championship in Moscow

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

2006: Heat wave

Ireland was affected by a heat wave in 2006.

2006: Closing of the salmon driftnet fishery

Salmon fishing in Ireland received a boost in 2006 with the closing of the salmon driftnet fishery.

July 2007: Pádraig Harrington won the British Open at Carnoustie

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

2007: Redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium

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

2007: Restoration of Assembly and Power-Sharing Executive

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

2007: Ireland won a Triple Crown

In 2007, the Irish International side had success in the Six Nations Championship, including a Triple Crown.

July 2008: Pádraig Harrington defended his title at the British Open

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

2008: Kenneth Egan won a silver medal and Paddy Barnes secured bronze in the Beijing Games

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

2008: Munster won the Heineken Cup

In 2008, Munster won the Heineken Cup again.

2008: Start of the Irish economic downturn

In 2008, the Celtic Tiger period was brought to an end by the post-2008 Irish economic downturn.

2008: Economic Downturn

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

2009: Economic depression

In 2009, Ireland experienced an economic depression.

2009: Leinster won the Heineken Cup and Ireland achieved a Grand Slam

In 2009, Leinster won the Heineken Cup, and the Irish International side completed a clean sweep of victories, achieving a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship.

2009: Olive Loughnane won a silver medal in the 20k walk at the World Athletics Championships

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

2009: CNBC American broadcaster researched Irish whiskey

Irish whiskey, as researched in 2009 by the CNBC American broadcaster, remains popular domestically and has grown in international sales steadily over a few decades.

2009: Births to mothers born outside of Ireland

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

2010: End of Lansdowne Road stadium redevelopment

In 2010 the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium concluded.

2010: Graeme McDowell won the 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 won gold in the European Amateur Boxing Championships and Commonwealth Games

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

2010: Survey on 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: Unusually cold weather during the winter

In common with the rest of Europe, Ireland experienced unusually cold weather during the winter of 2010–11. Temperatures fell as low as −17.2 °C (1 °F) in County Mayo on 20 December and up to a metre (3 ft) of snow fell in mountainous areas.

2010: Bundoran Hosted European Championship Surfing

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

2011: Census in the Republic of Ireland

According to the 2011 census, the Muslim community is growing in Ireland, mostly through increased immigration, with a 50% increase in the republic between the 2006 and 2011 census.

2011: Leinster won the Heineken Cup

In 2011, Leinster won the Heineken Cup.

2011: Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open and Darren Clarke won the Open Championship

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

August 2012: Katie Taylor won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in London

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 division.

August 2012: Rory McIlroy won the USPGA Championship

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

2012: Leinster won the 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. They carried what was then a new Y-chromosome R1b marker, believed to have originated in Iberia about 2,500 BC.

2012: Unemployment Remains High

In 2012, unemployment in the Republic of Ireland remained above 14% after doubling during 2009.

2012: Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship

The Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship in 2012.

2013: Irish-Americans

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

2014: Republic Ranked Top 10 for Clean-Technology Investment

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: Referendum to leave the EU

Following a referendum vote in 2016, the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, voted to leave the European Union (EU).

2016: Referendum on EU membership

In 2016 a referendum on EU membership was held in the UK.

2016: Northern Ireland and the Republic qualified for the European Championship

In 2016, both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship.

2018: Ireland achieved a Grand Slam

In 2018, the Irish International side completed a clean sweep of victories, achieving a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Championship.

2018: Heat wave

Ireland was affected by a heat wave in 2018.

2020: Kellie Harrington won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics

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

2020: The 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: United Kingdom leaves the EU

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 of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

As of 2021, the GDP of the Republic of Ireland was €423.5 billion (nominal), and in Northern Ireland, it was £52 billion (GVA Balanced).

2021: Discovery of Early Human Activity

In 2021, a reindeer bone with chop marks found in Castlepook Cave near Doneraile, County Cork was dated to 33,000 years ago, pushing back the earliest signs of human activity in Ireland by 20,000 years.

2022: Population of Ireland

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

2023: Monthly cost of living and average wage comparison

In 2023 a comparison of the monthly cost of living and average wage after tax in Northern Ireland versus those in the Republic of Ireland was performed.