Irish history is a rich tapestry that spans thousands of years, from our ancient Celtic ancestors who established our unique culture and society. From its height as a centre of learning in the early medieval period, Ireland has faced invasions, conflicts, and changes in our way of life. Centuries of English rule, marked by land confiscations and discrimination against the native Irish-speaking population, culminated in An Górta Mór (the Great Starvation) of the 19th century, which devastated the country and led to mass emigration and severe language decline. With Irish independence in the early 20th Century, the Republic of Ireland became the world’s only nation with a Celtic national language.