Abstract
This paper is an attempt to explain the reasons for the conflict between Ireland and Great Britain. It examines the conflict from a psychological point of view, but the Conflict is best understood from a historical perspective, thus the reason for the timeline and extensive historical references. The author of this paper refers to various issues in the conflict including the geographical proximity between the two countries, the Rebellion of Hugh O'Neill, The Plantation of Ulster, penal laws, The Act of Union, the Great Famine, Home Rule, the Easter Uprising, the Partitioning of Ireland, conflict in Northern Ireland and peace talks.

Table of Contents
Credit where credit is due
Foreword
A Political Overview
The Geographical Proximity
Geopolitical Divisions
A Historical Overview
The Birth of the Conflict
Timeline
1595 The Rebellion of Hugh O?Neil
1608 Plantation of Ulster
1698 Penal Laws
1800 Act of Union
1845 Great Famine
1870 Home Rule
1916 The Easter Rising
1916 The Proclamation of the Republic
1920 Partitioning of Ireland
A Psychological Overview
The Conflict in Northern Ireland
Political Parties
The Peace Talks
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"The most fascinating eras in the history of a country are those about which we have little or no knowledge. This derives not only from our natural fascination with the unknown but also from the recent recognition, by scientific historians, that nations, like human beings, get their patterns forever programmed in the earliest years of their lives. This often applies to the history of any country but it is particularly true in the case of Ireland, where Celtic gods, folklore and stubbornness blend with semtex, politics and plain stupidity to make up for one of the bloodiest, most enduring conflicts of this century."

Tags:commonwealth, Eire, Leinster, Connacht, Munster, Celtic, Church, of, England, Protestant, Catholic, Society, of, United, Irishmen, Sein, Feinn