History

Colonies of English and Scottish settlers were " planted" in the fertile areas of Ulster beginning in the 12^th century. But the confiscation and redistribution of Catholic land by Oliver Cromwell in 1650 laid the foundation for strife in centuries to come.

In 1795, a Protestant political organization of Orangemen was founded. It was named after Wil­liam III of England, prince of Orange.

Northern Ireland officially became a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1920, with a separate parliament and limited self-government. The Irish Republic refused to rec­ognize it, and the Irish Republican Army carried out raids on property and communications in Northern Ireland in the 1950's. Relations between the two countries showed signs of improvement in 1965. Violent clashes between civil rights marchers and Unionist extremists took place in 1968. Terrorism increased, the Catholic population demanded a united Ireland. In 1969, the British army was dispatched to Northern Ire­land as a peacekeeping force.

In 1973, 13 civil rights protesters were killed, and Britain imposed direct rule.

The Irish Republican Army /I.R.A./, defending the Catholic minority, and its political wing Sinn Fein both agreed to a permanent cease-fire in 1994. Since then a gradual process of demilitarization has been taking place.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Belfast /pop. 417, 000/ is the capital and a chief port of Northern Ireland. Belfast is a modern city situated in a district of mountains and rivers. Of note is Belfast Castle built in 1870 in the Scottish forti­fied-house style. City Hall is marked by a copper dome and sculptured pediment. Inside is a fresco depict­ing the city's history. University of Belfast was founded in 1908.

Londonderry /pop. 62, 700/ is county capital and a port. Deny, the older name of Lon­donderry, comes from the Irish doire, a place of oaks. Derry was renamed by the city of London, at whose expense the town was rebuilt. City Walls were built in 1617. 20 feet in height and thick­ness they have survived three attacks and four centuries.

Newcastle /pop. 6, 200/ is a small seaside resort. The Royal County Down Golf Course, one of the best in Britain stretches along the seafront. Dandrum Castle, 4 miles north, was built in the 12^th century and is very well preserved.

Omagh /pop. 14, 600/ is known for Omagh Mellon House and Ulster American Folk Park. An out­door museum tells the story of Ulster's link with the United States. A dozen Americans of Ulster stock have made the link to the White House, 11 as president s. Some of the more memorable are Andrew Jack­son, Ulysses Grant, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

Strabane /pop. 9, 300/ is of considerable historic interest. Printer of the American Declaration of Independence John Dunlap was apprenticed here in Gray's Print Shop. President Woodrow Wilson's an­cestral home is a few miles away.