The struggle for peace in Northern Ireland is not a new concept, for the past four hundred years the Catholics have continued to battle the Protestants for the land, which was taken from them so long ago. Despite the war's longevity, the twentieth century has, for the most part, seen the worst of the conflict. The civil wars and guerrilla tactics of the 1900's produced much bloodshed and have further divided the people of Northern Ireland. Leaving one to believe that an agreement may never be reached, but a settlement between the two sides is imperative if we are to ensure a global peace in the new Millennium. However, how can peace be reached in a country where children grow up learning to hate their neighbours, witnessing acts of senseless brutality in the streets, living in a country so hostile, so divided? Truth-be-told, the chances of these two sides coming to any kind of agreement in the near future are bleak. Peace is unlikely in a country with a history filled with su!
             Prior to British rule, Ireland had been a peaceful country, but in 1541 Henry VIII had himself declared 'King of Ireland" and the peace began to dwindle. In 1543, he made the Church of England independent from the Pope in Rome leaving most Irish, who claimed allegiance to the Pope, angry and struggling to accept their new leadership. This, along with the growing amount of Protestant power, led to a rebellion in 1641 against English and Scottish immigrants in Ulster. England was seeking only to expand their empire, caring little for the rightful inhabitants of the land, the Irish Catholics. In 1642, Oliver Cromwell confiscated Catholic land, giving it to British settlers and soldiers. By 1665, the Protestants made up 1/3 of the population, but owned 4/5 of the land. On July 12, 1690, William of Orange defeated the Irish Catholics, led by James II, in the Battle of the Boyne. This Protestant victory marked the beginning of secure Protestant power in Ireland, a p...