Conflict in Northern Ireland

Conflict in Northern Ireland

The purpose of Byrne’s (2000) research was to determine if children’s sociopolitical behaviors and identity changed when attending an integrated school. Byrne narrowly defined his research and chose a small group to evaluate. He framed his research using social identity theory (Pruitt & Kim, 2004). Albeit this theory was a sound basis for the study, the narrow manner in which he used it limited Byrne’s ability to prove his thesis. I will delve deeply into the Northern Ireland conflict to apply theories for further peacebuilding, in an effort to examine Sean Byrne’s study on the effects of historical identity in two groups of Protestant schoolchildren living in Northern Ireland (Byrne, 2000).

Background on the Conflict and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

In the Beginning: England’s Colonization of Ireland

Conflict between England and Ireland began when England invaded Ireland in 1170 (History of Ireland (1169–1536), n.d.). Accordingly the English monarchy began its troubled and often violent 800-year rule over Ireland and its native people. In the beginning, the English ruled from afar with the British government remaining within and around Dublin. The occupation of Ireland changed drastically in the 1700’s when Protestant Queen Elizabeth I came to power. Catholics remained a majority during Elizabeth’s reign notwithstanding England’s tighter control over Northern Ireland. King James I succeeded Queen Elizabeth I upon her death. After his succession to the throne, King James sent Protestant colonists from England and Scotland to settle in Ireland. In this way, he proposed to bring stability to England’s governmental rule. Protestants of modern Northern Ireland are direct descendants of those ...

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McGlynn, C., Niens, U., Cairns, E., & Hewstone, M. (2007). Moving out of conflict: The contribution of integrated schools in Northern Ireland to identity, attitudes, forgiveness and reconciliation. Journal of Peace Education, 1(2), 147-163. doi: 10.1080/1740020042000253712

Northern Ireland Office, (1998). The Belfast agreement: an agreement reached at the multi-party talks on Northern Ireland (Cm 3883). Retrieved from

Pruitt, D. G., & Kim, S. H. (2004). Social conflict: Escalation, stalemate, and settlement. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Smith, A. (2010). Religious segregation and the emergence of integrated schools in Northern Ireland. Oxford Review of Education, 27(4), 559-575. doi: 10.1080/03054980120086248

The troubles. (n.d.). BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/troubles