Mixed Blessings ~ Timeline: Ireland 1900-2002 | Wide Angle

July 18th, 2006

Mixed Blessings

Timeline: Ireland 1900-2002


1900	With Irish nationalism at a high point, Sinn Féin is founded as a confederacy of local nationalist clubs.
1916	The Easter Rising. Nationalist leaders declare an independent republic but inspire little support among the Irish. The republic lasts only a week and results in the execution of its leaders and great destruction in Dublin.
1918	Sinn Féin wins a majority in the general election and establishes the first Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland).
1919	The Irish War of Independence begins — a guerrilla campaign conducted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) against the British administration.
1921	The Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed, ending the war. The Irish Free State, consisting of 26 predominantly Catholic counties, is established. Northern Ireland is formed of the remaining six counties, which are largely Protestant. This partition is intended as a temporary measure.
1922-23	A civil war is fought between groups who support and oppose the treaty. The measure remains in place, although the anti-treaty leaders will eventually become the Fianna Fáil (Soldiers of Destiny) party, which will come to dominate Irish politics.
1937	The Constitution of Ireland is adopted by referendum, establishing a parliamentary government.
1948	The Irish Free State officially becomes the Republic of Ireland.
1949	The Republic of Ireland Act passed; the republic is no longer a member of the British Commonwealth.
1958	First Programme for Economic Expansion dismantles protectionist policies and encourages foreign investment and free trade. The planned growth rate of two percent is surpassed and a four percent growth rate is achieved.
1965	Hoping to ease border tensions after IRA raids on British Army posts in Ulster, the prime ministers of Ireland and Northern Ireland exchange visits.
1973	Ireland joins the European Economic Community (EEC). The Fianna Fáil government is defeated by a coalition of Fine Gael (Gaelic Nation) and Labour Party leaders. The next decade will prove volatile, with power shifting between parties several times.
1980s	The Irish economy is in severe decline, affected by the recent global recession and oil crisis, along with flagging agricultural prices, inflation, foreign debt, and high unemployment. Civil discontent rises, along with a resurgent IRA in the North.
1987	The Fianna Fáil government regains a majority and, with support from Fine Gael and the newly formed Progressive Democrat Party, embarks on a new economic policy that results in reduced inflation and budget deficits by the early 1990s.
1990	Mary Robinson of the Labour Party is elected as the first female Irish president, reflecting quickly evolving Irish attitudes. The economy booms throughout the decade, led by the high-tech sector.
1992	The Maastricht Treaty establishing the European Union (EU) is approved by a wide majority in Ireland. A referendum passes allowing women to travel overseas to obtain abortions.
1993	The Irish and British governments announce the Downing Street Declaration, pledging peaceful settlements of disputes between the governments.
1994	After further peace talks between the British and Irish governments, the IRA declares a ceasefire.
1995	Divorce is legalized, despite the efforts of the Catholic Church.
1998	The Belfast or “Good Friday” Agreement results in the disarming of paramilitary groups throughout North Ireland.
2002	Irish currency is replaced by the EU’s euro.
Sources: ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA online, Central Statistics Office of Ireland: CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE YEARBOOK, U.S. Department of State: BUREAU OF EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS, DECEMBER 2005 — BACKGROUND NOTE: IRELAND

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