Irish colonization

Irish colonization primarily refers to the English and later British efforts to control Ireland from the 12th century onwards. This involved land confiscation, settlement of English and Scottish colonists, and harsh laws aimed at suppressing Irish culture and language. Key events include the Tudor conquest in the 16th century and the Cromwellian invasion in the 17th century, which led to significant displacement of the Irish population. The process intensified with the 19th-century policies and the Great Famine (1845-1849). These actions fostered deep social, political, and religious divisions that resonate in Ireland’s history and identity today.