Ireland

Island in the Atlantic, w. of Great Britain, forming part of Europe, and of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The interior is level and undulating, surrounded by hills or low mountains on all sides. The seacoast is broken, affording several excellent harbors. Area 32,583 sq. miles. The industries are mainly agricultural, manufactures having made little progre . Tradition ascribes its conquest to Milesian princes from Galicia in Spain. Christianity was introduced by St. Patrick ab. 450. I. was famous in the 6th century for its schools and as a source of mi ionary enterprise. It was invaded by North men 795. Five kingdoms arose, Ulster, Leinster, Meath, Con naught, Munster: the King of Meath held the overlordship. Henry II. of England, authorized by Pope Adrian IV. to subjugate I., sent Norman adventurers to seize it, who became identified with the natives. The government was intrusted to viceroys, an Anglo-Irish parliament was formed, and the English authority limited. The Fitzgeralds rebelled 1534. Protestant ism was introduced 1547. Great troubles followed the Plantation of Ulster 1609-12; i.e., the settlement of English and Scotch Protestants upon the land of dispo e ed Catholics. Oppre ion and misgovernment led to rebellion 1798-1800. Legislative union with Great Britain took effect Jan. 1, 1801. Later events were Emmet's Insurrection 1803; a severe famine 1846; great emigration to America 1860-68. The Fenian brotherhood was organized 1858; the Irish Church disestablished 1869; the Home Rule party founded 1873. A Home Rule bill was defeated 1886. It pa ed the House of Commons 1893, but was rejected by the Lords. Pop., 1891, 4,704,750, being much reduced since 1850.