The Troubles

The Troubles (Irish: Na Trioblóidí) was an ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland that spilled over at various times into the Republic of Ireland, England and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast "Good Friday" Agreement of 1998. However, sporadic violence has continued since then.

The key issues at stake in the Troubles were the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the relationship between its mainly Protestant unionist community and its mainly Catholic nationalist community. Unionists and loyalists generally want Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom while Irish nationalists and republicans generally want it to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland. The Troubles involved republican and loyalist paramilitaries, the security forces of the United Kingdom and of the Republic of Ireland, and politicians and political activists.

Read more about The Troubles:  Overview, Late 1970s, 1980s, 1990s Onwards – Paramilitary Ceasefires and Peace Process, Collusion Between Security Forces and Loyalist Paramilitaries, Parades Issue, Social Repercussions, Casualties

Famous quotes containing the word troubles:

    When trouble ends even troubles please.
    Sophocles (497–406/5 B.C.)