Pat Bourne - Secessionism and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict between those claiming to represent Nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, and those claiming to represent Unionists, who are predominantly Protestant.[8] In general, Nationalists want the unification of Ireland, with Northern Ireland joining the rest of Ireland[9][10] and Unionists want it to remain part of the United Kingdom.[11] Protestants are in the majority in Northern Ireland, though Roman Catholics represent a significant minority.[12] In general, Protestants consider themselves British and Catholics see themselves as Irish but there are some who see themselves as both British and Irish. In addition to UK citizenship, people from Northern Ireland are also entitled to Irish. The campaigns of violence have become known popularly as The Troubles. The majority of both sides of the community have had no direct involvement in the violent campaigns waged. Since the signing of the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement or the G.F.A.) in 1998, many of the major paramilitary campaigns have either been on ceasefire or have declared their war to be over.

(From Wikipedia.)