Polyakova Yelena

№ 2, 2005

• National idea and the split of Ireland

  The author believes that in the case of Ireland it is reasonable to talk about considerable overlapping of the terms ‘nationalism’ and ‘national idea’, though the interpretation of ‘national idea’ was changing depending on concrete historical conditions. With the aim to destroy the British rule being invariable, the specific goals and methods to achieve them have altered repeatedly. The author dwells particularly on the situation in the northern part of Ireland. Its population belongs to different nationalities and defining person’s identity some considered themselves Irish, others – English, the third – Ulster.

  For that reason the all-Irish national idea did not reflect the interests of the whole population of Ireland and, therefore, throughout its realization aggravated the society’s cleavages. The Ulster unionist movement against secession of Ireland from the Great Britain has gained such momentum that the comprehensive implementation of the Irish national idea turned to be impossible. The partition of Ireland has really reflected the fact.

  DOI: 10.30570/2078-5089-2005-37-2-56-71

  Pages: 56-71