One of the biggest events in Irelandâs history over the last 200 years was âThe Great Famineâ. And if you are American and have Irish roots, you could probably trace your ancestors to this period in Irish history. National anthem of Ireland Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is famous for its green countryside. By the early 17th century, the first English attempts at colonization by Protestant settlers had succeeded, and ongoing policies were to color the future up to ⦠Three decades later, Henryâs successor John lost control of Normandy â after which the attention of the English crown became even more focused on its Irish possessions. Short Answer: 1. Most of the island gained independence in the 1920s. The central figure of Irish history in the first half of the 19th century was Daniel O'Connell, a Dublin lawyer who had been born in rural Kerry. There was little effective challenge to Britainâs control of Ireland until the efforts of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-91). It was a seismic moment in Irish history, marking the establishment of the Lordship of Ireland: in effect, the first English colony. Irelandâs history of emigration continued from this point onwards with the majority of Irish emigrants going to the United States of America. The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, began in 1845 when a fungus-like organism called Phytophthora infestans (or P. infestans) spread rapidly throughout Ireland. Many famed writers come from Ireland, including four winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. Irish History Timeline: 2,000,000 - 30,000 BC 3000 BC 2500 BC 1800 BC 500 BC AD 1 - 500 297 - 450 431 432 490 546 547/8 563 580 - 680 590 635 - 51 650 - 750 664 698 - 700 795: The 'Pleistocene period', during which Ireland was extremely cold and the sea level rose and fell. Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. Throughout much of its history, Ireland fought against rule by other countries. The Republic of Ireland shares a border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. 4. Home / Books / Stock Exempt Category / Life in Ireland: A Short History of a Long Time. Its capital city is Dublin. Ireland is a nation of storytellers. Normans invaded Ireland in 1169. The first megalithic tombs were built. Ireland profile. Home Rule. 2. Life in Ireland: A Short History of a Long Time ⬠3. In areas not under their control, Gaelic culture continued to thrive, and the short-lived Gaelic Kingdom of Ireland was established in 1541. The tradition dates back to Celtic bards, who would record and recite the country's history. Ireland, country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles. The Irish also excel in music and sports. Vikings began invading in the early 9th century. The country is noted for a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Gaelic language. O'Connell's relentless efforts led to some measures of emancipation for Irish Catholics who had been marginalized by British laws, and O'Connell attained heroic status, becoming known as "The Liberator." The first group of people to populate Ireland were the hunter-gatherers around 8000 BC.