ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Segregation in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, there are two groups of people who have different beliefs and ways of life. Some people are Catholics and others are Protestants. Catholics believe in the Pope, who is the leader of the Catholic Church, while Protestants don't. Catholics also tend to speak Irish and have an Irish identity, while Protestants speak English and identify as British.

Sadly, these differences have led to a lot of fighting, hatred and segregation between the two groups. Segregation means that people from different groups live separately and don't mix with each other. In some parts of Northern Ireland, Catholics and Protestants live in different neighborhoods, go to different schools, and even play different sports. This can make it hard for them to understand and respect each other's cultures and beliefs.

The segregation in Northern Ireland started many years ago, and it has been fueled by a long history of conflict between Catholics and Protestants. In the 1960s, civil rights campaigns were set up by Catholics, who felt discriminated against by the Protestant government. But the demand for equal rights led to a backlash from loyalist Protestants, who felt like their British identity and culture was under threat.

This led to a period of intense conflict, known as the Troubles, that lasted for over three decades. The Troubles involved bombings, shootings, and riots, and they left over 3,000 people dead. The conflict was mainly between the IRA (Irish Republican Army), a paramilitary group that wanted Northern Ireland to become part of a united Ireland, and loyalist paramilitaries, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK.

The segregation in Northern Ireland has improved since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which brought an end to the Troubles. However, there is still a long way to go to overcome the legacy of the past. Many communities are still deeply divided, and some people still hold onto old stereotypes and prejudices. Promoting tolerance and understanding between different groups is essential to creating a peaceful and inclusive society in Northern Ireland.