But gradually, negotiations during the Sunningdale Agreement (1973), the Anglo- Irish Agreement (1985) and the Good Friday Agreement (1998) improved relations between North and South, in spite of the fact that the southern government got a greater say in the affairs of Northern Ireland.
6 What was the impact of the Troubles on Anglo-Irish relations?
In the early years of the Troubles, there was disagreement between the British and Irish Governments. The Irish Government wanted the British Government to become more involved in the affairs of Northern Ireland.
There was also disagreement over the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch’s speech, where he said the Irish Government ‘can no longer stand by and see innocent people injured and perhaps worse.’ ● Relations worsened considerably over the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972 when British soldiers fired on an anti-internment march in Derry.
Relations between the British and Irish Governments (Anglo-Irish relations) improved after the beginning of the Troubles. ● The British Government realised that the Irish Government was needed to ensure that Northern nationalists would trust any agreement for peace in Northern Ireland.
Relations between the two governments were strengthened as they negotiated each of the agreements that led to peace.
● The Sunningdale Agreement (1973) ● The Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985) ● The Downing Street Declaration (1993) ● The Good Friday Agreement (1998)
Assessing Your Learning
1. Why was there so much destruction during the Troubles? 2. How were each of these affected by the Troubles (i) unionist power (ii) British interest in NI (iii) Irish Government’s role in NI?
3. How did the Irish Government change its views on Northern Ireland during the Troubles?
4. Explain how each of the following affected relations between Britain and Ireland (i) Sunningdale Agreement (ii) The Anglo-Irish Agreement (iii) The Downing Street Declaration (iv) The Good Friday Agreement.