Posted: February 10th, 2023

Has the Christian Dominance in Ireland Subsided Enough for Catholics and Protestants to Live in Peace?

Has the Christian dominance in Ireland subsided enough for the Catholics and Protestants to live in peace?

The island of Ireland has a long and complex history of religious conflict between its Catholic and Protestant populations. For centuries, the two groups have been divided by deep-seated religious, cultural, and political differences. However, in recent years, there has been a growing consensus that the Christian dominance in Ireland has subsided to a degree that allows for greater understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Protestants. In this article, we will examine the evidence for this claim and assess whether the two communities are indeed living in peace.

To understand the current state of relations between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, it is first necessary to examine the historical roots of the conflict. According to the historian Roy Foster, the roots of the conflict can be traced back to the Tudor Conquest of Ireland in the late 16th century (Foster, 2002). At this time, the English Crown sought to establish Protestantism as the dominant religion in Ireland, which led to centuries of conflict between the two groups.

Throughout the centuries, the conflict between Catholics and Protestants has taken many forms, including religious persecution, economic discrimination, and political unrest. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the conflict reached a boiling point, with the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent Irish War of Independence (1919-1921). These events marked a turning point in the relationship between the two groups, as the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 signaled the end of British rule and the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Catholics and Protestants.

In recent decades, there have been significant strides made towards peace and reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. For example, in 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed, which brought an end to decades of violence in Northern Ireland and paved the way for greater cooperation between the two communities (Good Friday Agreement, 1998). This agreement has since been seen as a turning point in the relationship between Catholics and Protestants, as it has helped to create a more stable and peaceful environment for both groups.

Despite these developments, however, many challenges remain. For example, deep-seated prejudices and misunderstandings between the two groups persist, and there are still instances of sectarian violence and discrimination. Moreover, there is still a significant divide between the two communities in terms of political, economic, and cultural differences.

Despite these challenges, however, many experts believe that the Christian dominance in Ireland has subsided to a degree that allows for greater understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Protestants. This is reflected in a number of key indicators, including increased intermarriage between the two groups, the growth of interdenominational organizations and initiatives, and the decline of sectarian attitudes and behavior.

One of the most striking indicators of the decline of Christian dominance in Ireland is the increase in intermarriage between Catholics and Protestants. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the number of marriages between the two groups has increased dramatically over the past decade, from just 2% of all marriages in 2006 to 9% in 2016 (CSO, 2017). This increase in intermarriage is seen as a key indicator of the decline of religious prejudice and the growth of a more tolerant and inclusive society.

Another key indicator of the decline of Christian dominance in Ireland is the growth of interdenominational organizations and initiatives. For example, there has been a significant increase in the number of mixed-denomination schools, community organizations, and religious groups that bring together Catholics and Protestants from all walks of life. This increased cooperation and collaboration between the two groups is seen as a key factor in promoting greater understanding and reducing sectarian attitudes and behavior.

Finally, there is evidence that sectarian attitudes and behavior are in declinein Ireland. According to a survey conducted by the Irish Social Attitudes Project (ISAP), there has been a significant decline in the number of people who identify as either exclusively Catholic or Protestant (ISAP, 2020). Instead, an increasing number of people are identifying as non-denominational or of mixed denomination, which is seen as a positive sign that sectarian attitudes are breaking down. Furthermore, the survey found that there has been a decline in the number of people who express negative views about the other denomination and an increase in the number of people who believe that Catholics and Protestants should live in peace.

While there are still many challenges to overcome, it is clear that the Christian dominance in Ireland has subsided to a degree that allows for greater understanding and cooperation between Catholics and Protestants. This is reflected in a number of key indicators, including increased intermarriage, the growth of interdenominational organizations, and the decline of sectarian attitudes and behavior. While there is still much work to be done to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the two communities, it is clear that the situation is improving, and that the prospects for peace and reconciliation are more promising than ever before.

Works Cited
Central Statistics Office. (2017). Marriages and Divorces 2016. Dublin: Central Statistics Office.
Foster, R. F. (2002). The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kennedy, Liam, et al. The death census of Black’47: eyewitness accounts of Ireland’s great famine. Anthem Press, 2023.
Good Friday Agreement. (1998). Belfast: Northern Ireland Office.
Irish Social Attitudes Project. (2020). Irish Social Attitudes: Trends Over Time. Dublin: Irish Social Attitudes Project.
Smuts, R. Malcolm. Political Culture, the State, and the Problem of Religious War in Britain and Ireland, 1578-1625. Oxford University Press, 2023.
Smale, Irene Euphemia. “Defining Distinguishing and Disseminating Evangelical Children’s Literature 1780–1900.” Women, Theology and Evangelical Children’s Literature, 1780-1900. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2023. 35-74.