1847

After the rebellions, the British Prime Minster William Pitt took decisive action and abolished the Irish Parliament, establishing the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland in 1801. Ireland was peaceful and the population grew from 5 million in 1800 to 8 million in 1840. Corn was grown as a cash crop to pay rents but the people lived on a high yielding and nutritious potato. Blight on the crops between 1845 and 1845 caused devastation in the country, resulting in one million deaths send a further million emigrating on the "Coffin Ships" to the New World. The consequences of the famine were on the increase in the size of farms and a reduction in dependence on the potato but the resentment in Ireland against English handling of the famine was so deep and slow to heal.

1853

Formation of Irish Republican Brotherhood, also called the Fenians.

1866

First transatlantic telegraph cable linked to Valencia Island, Kerry.

1873

Home Rule League founded.

1880

Charles Parnell elected chairman of Irish Home Rule Party.

1881

Irish Land Act passed and Land League suppressed.

1884

Gaelic Athletic Association (G.A.A.) formed.

1888

Belfast granted city status.

1891

Death of Parnell.

1906

Foundation of Sinn Fein by Arthur Griffith.

1913

Formation of Irish Volunteers, Ulster Volunteer Force and Irish Citizen Army.

1916

All over Europe in the 19th Century, popular Nationalism led to regeneration of folklore, languages, music and drama. In Ireland a Gaelic revival had been under way since the 1890's. Politically, the home rule Bill of 1914 was stalled because of the outbreak of the Great War idealists, British and Irish alike, took up arms for the British Empire. In Dublin other idealists, inspire by P.H. Pearse, took up arms to liberate their own "small nation" with a rising in 1916. The rebellion was quick crushed by English forces but the brutality with which the leaders were executed, shocked the nation and increased the momentum for independence. After a war of independence, a compromise was reached whereby 26 counties achieved autonomy while 6 counties of Ulster remained within the United Kingdom.

1919

Dail Eireann formed and Eamon de Valera becomes first president. Crash-landing of first non-stop transatlantic flight, flown by Alcock and Brown, near Clifden, Galway.

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