Irish two!
Brunch|January 07, 2023
A stewy tale of two cities in Ireland, one in the north, and the second down south
Irish two!

Let’s start with a bit of Irish history. Like many parts of the world, Ireland was ruled by the imperialist British well until the early years of the last century. Then, as the rebellions got too much to handle, the Brits granted independence to all 32 counties under their rule, except six, and the Republic of Ireland was formed in 1922.

The six counties situated in the northern part of the island remained under the crown for one reason: religion. The majority of the population here, like in Englahd, was Protestant. Only 6,00,000 Catholics lived here at the time, out of a total population of 1.6 million.

If this is sounding like a Hindu-Muslim potboiler, read on.

In the 100 years that followed, the Catholics have reproduced faster than the Protestants. The 2001 census pegged the number at 48 per cent with a Protestant majority. But in 2021, the Catholics seem to have overtaken their Protestant counterparts in Northern Ireland.

Does this mean the six counties the Irish call Northern Ireland” will now be turned over to the Republic of Ireland?

(Note the nuance: Irish citizens feel North Ireland” sounds like a country, so they insist it be called Northern Ireland’ instead.)

These political power games may be a lot to stew over. But for us Indians, with a similar imperialist past and religious strife, the stories are relatable and robust.

The good news is this: The entire island of Ireland, consisting of both parts, is devoid of border controls and other divisive tactics. Citizens are allowed to work and live wherever they feel comfortable, and there is no restriction of movement from north to south. The parts ruled by the UK use the British pound as legal tender, and the Republic of Ireland uses the Euro. When I drove from Belfast to Dublin, I only realised I was in the Republic of Ireland when my phone service provider texted me a welcome.

Denne historien er fra January 07, 2023-utgaven av Brunch.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 07, 2023-utgaven av Brunch.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BRUNCHSe alt
Let's tri all the angles
Brunch

Let's tri all the angles

BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Should you Q up for this?
Brunch

Should you Q up for this?

Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
How to plan a great escape
Brunch

How to plan a great escape

It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Brunch

Kababs, yes, but khandvi too

Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
I can be your hero
Brunch

I can be your hero

Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Meet the export experts
Brunch

Meet the export experts

Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Why we're all feeling Blue
Brunch

Why we're all feeling Blue

Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024