TouristTrap

Not a wind up, I would really like to know.

Why was N.I. not granted independence along with the south?

Irn-bru

Because NI was and is mainly the most loyal and Royalist of all countries in the UK. Like the Falklands Island they wanted to remain part of the UK.
My parents still stand for the Queen and the anthem etc

gruffbrown

Wait until Tucs and Big Davy G see this one

Irn-bru

I know, I'm giving the simple one liner and waiting for Wellington with the long history answer, others for their side of political answers, the couple of replies who don't give a damn about NI and will let people know about it, the few 'bomb throwers' who just want to stir it up.
Am I missing anyone?

gruffbrown

The short answer is the Northern Ireland Parliament opted out of joining Eire in the 1920s. That's the potted version, I'm sure some will disagree with the reasons behind it.

Irn-bru

That was shorter than mine and had the history in it
OK thread over

framac

The Dail (Irish parl) wanted all 32 counties and Stormont wanted to keep Ulster (9 counties), the industrial and financial capitals. The Dail settled for 26counties therefore splitting Ulster with 3 counties in the republic and 6 still attached to U.K. The Dail accepted the deal thinking they would get the other 6 at a later date. History has told us this was not so, hence the fighting which has been going on sporadically through the generations.

rugbymatt

What Framac has neglected to mention, and its THE main reason why the partition took place is religion.
The North had a majority Protestant population and thats why they chose to opt out, they did not want to end up a a minority in a majority Catholic state.

To be honest the story is so complicated that a simple answer is very hard to give, the subsequent split in the Nationalist movement caused much of the violence, and the British were not the first targets, the RIC bore the brunt of that for a long time, and it was when the general strikes and civil disobedience took place, followed by the collapse of the Inland Revenue in ireland that the British entered in force. The rest is history!

TouristTrap

Anyone recommend some good books on the subject?

BigDavyG

Stick to something as factual as you can.
Failing that you can read the numerous books out there published by terrorists and murderers glorifying their former exploits.

rugbymatt

http://www.kennysirishbookshop.ie/

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Troub.../dp/0671537385

The second is a book i have read and it was brilliant.

TouristTrap

Thank you.

framac

Try "The committee" by Sean McPhilemy but you wont get it in the UK as its too truthful.

gruffbrown

That would be the same 'The Committee' that was on Channel 4 then?

JYKelly

I remember that, that Colin Crompton bloke right?