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, separated by the North Channel, Irish Sea, and St. George's Channel. Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, and third-largest in Europe. Its population as of 2022 is 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 began 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

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

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: Formation of the Ulster Volunteers

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

1914: Home Rule Bill and Ulster Volunteers

In 1914, it seemed certain that a Home Rule bill would finally pass in parliament. To prevent this, the Ulster Volunteers had been formed in 1913 under the leadership of Edward Carson.

1914: Establishment of the Irish Volunteers

In 1914, the Irish Volunteers were established with the aim of ensuring the passage of the Home Rule Bill. The Home Rule Act was passed, but suspended for the duration of the First World War. The Irish volunteers then split into two groups.

1916: The 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 favour of the rebels.

1918: Conscription Crisis

In 1918, support for Irish republicanism increased due to the ongoing war in Europe, as well as the Conscription Crisis.

1918: Sinn Féin Endorsement

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

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

In 1920, the Government of Ireland Act divided the United Kingdom, leading to the creation of Northern Ireland.

July 1921: Truce in the Guerrilla War

In July 1921, a truce was called in the 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.

1921: Population of Ireland reduced to slightly over four million

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

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

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

1921: Partition in Ireland

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

June 1922: Continued Violence in Northern Ireland

Despite a truce in July 1921, violence continued until June 1922, mostly in Northern Ireland.

1922: Publication of James Joyce's Ulysses

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 the Irish Civil War

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

1923: FAI recognised by FIFA

In 1923, the FAI was recognised by FIFA, despite being initially blacklisted by the Home Nations' associations.

1926: FAI organised first international fixture

In 1926, the FAI 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: Government of Northern Ireland controlled by the Ulster Unionist Party

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

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 when police made arrests based on surveillance carried out on key diplomatic legations in Dublin.

1941: Bombing Raids in Belfast

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

1947: Fred Daly last Irish winner of British Open

Fred Daly was the last Irishman before 2007 (Pádraig Harrington) to win the British Open, winning it in 1947.

1948: Republic of Ireland Act

In 1948, the Irish Free State declared itself a republic with the Republic of Ireland Act.

1949: Declaration of the Republic of Ireland

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

1949: Publication of Máirtín Ó Cadhain's Cré na Cille

Máirtín Ó Cadhain's 1949 novel Cré na Cille is regarded as a modernist masterpiece and has been translated into several languages.

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

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1950: FIFA directs associations to select players from within their 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

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

1953: FIFA directs names for FAI and IFA teams

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 government survey on 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

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

1961: Population Decline Continues

In 1961, the population in Ireland continued to fall.

1967: Discovery of pulsars

In 1967, the astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell, from Lurgan, County Armagh, 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

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

1972: British government suspends home rule

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

1972: End of Self-Governing Jurisdiction

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

1973: Ireland and the United Kingdom acceded to the European Economic Community (EEC)

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

1973: Joining the 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, called the Sunningdale Agreement.

1982: Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1986: Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1987: Economic Improvement Begins

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

1988: Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship

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

1990: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1991: Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup

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 went professional

In 1994, Irish rugby became professional.

1994: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

1994: Provisional IRA and loyalist ceasefires

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

1995: Start of the Celtic Tiger period

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

1995: Ireland affected by a heat wave

In 1995, Ireland was affected by a heat wave.

1995: Sonia O'Sullivan won gold at World Championships

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

1995: Start of Substantial Economic Growth

The 1990s saw the beginning of substantial economic growth in the Republic of Ireland, which became known as the Celtic Tiger. The Republic's real GDP grew by an average of 9.6% per annum between 1995 and 1999.

1998: Good Friday Agreement Concluded

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, annexing the text agreed in the multi-party talks.

1999: Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup

In 1999, Ireland hosted games during the Rugby World Cup.

1999: Discovery of a 2000-digit prime number

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

1999: Economically significant finds of natural gas were made 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: Republic Joins the Euro

In 1999, the Republic of Ireland joined the euro.

2000: George Johnstone Stoney introduced the term electron

In 2000, George Johnstone Stoney introduced the term electron.

2000: Sonia O'Sullivan won silver at 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 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 no longer a city for administrative purposes

Since the 2001 Local Government Act, Kilkenny is no longer a city for administrative purposes.

2002: Republic of Ireland qualified for the World Cup finals

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

2003: Gaelic football most popular sport in Ireland

In 2003, Gaelic football represented 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 won silver at World Championships

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

2003: Ireland affected by a heat wave

In 2003, Ireland was affected by a heat wave.

2003: Discovery of a record composite Fermat number

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

2004: Ireland won Triple Crown

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

2004: Research and development in renewable energy increased

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

2004: European Union Expands 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.

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: County Leitrim Population Increase

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

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

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

2006: Ireland affected by a heat wave

In 2006, Ireland was affected by a heat wave.

2006: Munster won the Heineken Cup

In 2006, Munster won the Heineken Cup.

2006: Ryder Cup held at The K Club in County Kildare

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

2006: Salmon fishing boosted by closing of driftnet fishery

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

2006: Foreign nationals in the Republic of Ireland

In 2006, the Republic of Ireland had 420,000 foreign nationals, which was about 10% of the population.

2006: Increase in Muslim community

In 2006, there was a census in the Republic of Ireland that showed the Muslim community was growing, mostly through increased immigration.

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: International rugby and soccer played at Croke Park

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

2007: Restoration of Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland

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

2007: Ireland won Triple Crown

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

July 2008: Pádraig Harrington defended British Open title

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

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

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

2008: Munster won the Heineken Cup

In 2008, Munster won the Heineken Cup.

2008: Post-2008 Irish economic downturn

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

2009: Economic depression in Ireland

In 2009, Ireland experienced an economic depression.

2009: Leinster won the Heineken Cup and Ireland won the 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 won silver at World Athletics Championships in Berlin

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

2009: CNBC reports on Irish whiskey

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

2009: Births to mothers born outside of Ireland

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

2009: Worst Year of Economic Downturn

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

2010: International rugby and soccer played at Croke Park

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

2010: Graeme McDowell became first Irish golfer to win 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 European Amateur Boxing Championships and Commonwealth Games

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

2010: Religious service attendance

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

2010: Unusually cold weather during the winter of 2010–11

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 hosts European championship surfing

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

2011: Leinster won the Heineken Cup

In 2011, Leinster won the Heineken Cup.

2011: Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke Open Champions

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

2011: Increase in Muslim community

In 2011, there was a census in the Republic of Ireland that showed a 50% increase in the Muslim community between 2006 and 2011.

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: 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.

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

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

2012: Leinster won the Heineken Cup

In 2012, Leinster won the Heineken Cup.

2012: Genetic Research on Early Farmers

In 2012, research indicated that genetic markers of the earliest farmers were almost eliminated by Beaker-culture immigrants, who carried the Y-chromosome R1b marker, which originated in Iberia around 2,500 BC.

2012: Continued Recession

In 2012, the Republic of Ireland continued to experience a deep recession, with unemployment remaining above 14%.

2012: Republic of Ireland qualified for the European Championship

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

2013: Irish-Americans Population

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

2013: Ireland affected by a heat wave

In 2013, Ireland was affected by a heat wave.

2014: Republic ranks in 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: Brexit Referendum

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

2016: Northern Ireland qualified for the European Championship

In 2016, Northern Ireland qualified for the European Championship.

2016: Referendum on EU membership held in the UK

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

2018: Ireland affected by a heat wave

In 2018, Ireland was affected by a heat wave.

2018: Ireland won Grand Slam

In 2018, the Irish International side had a clean sweep of victories, known as a Grand Slam, in the Six Nations Championship.

2020: Kellie Harrington won gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics

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

2020: The UK left the European Union

In 2020, the UK left the European Union after a referendum on EU membership was held in 2016.

2020: United Kingdom leaves the European Union

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

2021: Discovery of Early Human Activity

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

2021: GDP of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

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

2022: Population of Ireland in 2022

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