A similar story

1. IRELAND & CATALONIA
A similar history
IRELAND & CATALONIA
A similar story
By ARNAU MARTINEZ and POL GARRETA
1 Batx-A

2. The relationship between Catalonia and Ireland has always been historically
very close.
The political situation of the two countries has been similar.
A mural in Belfast, strengthening ties between Catalonia and Ireland.

3. It was 100 years ago when the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) was established, but
it came under severe suppression when it was considered illegal by Britain.
As a consequence of this conflict, Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) was
declared by the Irish Republican army (IRA) against the Bristish soldiers, who were
trying to keep Ireland under British control.
Terence MacSwiney, the mayor of Cork, died in 1920 after a 74-day hunger strike
in protest of his imprisonment and the repression of his people.
At the time of the Irish War of Independence, nationalist activist Maire Ni Bhrian
arrived in Barcelona to publicise the cause of Irish independence.
The event raised a wave of solidarity in Catalonia.
Finally in :
1949 - Independence. Republic of Ireland leaved British Commonwealth.
1973 - Ireland joined the European Economic Community
The Irish Story

4. The Catalan Story
In 2006, Catalans approved a new Statute of Autonomy in a referendum,
creating a new political relationship between Catalonia and Spain.
In 2010, Spain’s Constitutional canceled it. More than 1 million Catalans
peacefully protested the decision, but Mariano Rajoy’s government rejected
any kind of dialogue with Catalonia.
The Catalan Parliament decided to call for a referendum but the Spanish
government declared the vote illegal, and thousands of police officers were
sent to Catalonia.
In 2017, on October 1st, Catalans tried to vote peacefully and Spanish police,
in order to prevent it, used a degree of force previously unseen in any
European member state. Despite that, 90% of those who voted, supported
independence.
Spanish goverment, including the king, have never condemned such a police
violence.
As a result, drastic measures were applied and most of Catalan government
members were sent to prison and others had to go into exile in Belgium and
Switzerland, They are still there, after 2 years and a half.

5. Officialy Independend Forced to be dependend

6. Irish politicians support
The Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, has come out in favour of Catalan
independence saying that "Catalonia deserves independence“ and that
“Many Irish know, how it feels to be treated as second class citizens.
The situation in Catalonia now is similar to that of Ireland in 1920. But the
difference is that here in Ireland with terrorism and in Catalonia with
political prisoners and no violence”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlYXYAvt5o&feature=youtu.be

7. Media reactions and support

8. Irish involvement in Spanish Civil War
Before that, there had already been close links between Spain and Ireland.
Both countries had fought a number of battles together. A particular example is
the Spanish Civil War.
About 700 Irish volunteers fought on the side of Franco during the Spanish Civil
War (1936-1939).
The main reason for this was that the war was seen as a conflict between
communism and Christianity and at that time Irish society was very influenced
by Catholicism.
However there also existed a small support from the Communist Party and the
IRA who went to fight for the Spanish Republic.
So, the Irish brigade supported the fascists and the Connelly column supported
the republicans.

9. Memorial Banner produced during the Spanish War in 1938

10. Famous Irish politicians in history

11. John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the first Irish-Catholic president of the United States of
America. His family left Ireland in 1848 to escape from poverty and to earn a
living for themselves.
John F Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States from January
1961 to November 22, 1963, when he was assassinated during a visit in Dallas
(Texas)

12. Daniel O’Connell
He was born on August 6th, 1775 near Cahirciveen in County Kerry (Ireland)
He was educated in France and went to university in Britain.
When he returned to Ireland, he studied law
He helped Catholics to win the right to become Members of Parliament.
He also wanted Ireland to have its own parliament.
He became known as the “Liberator” because he looked for rights for
Irish people.

13. Richard Martin
Colonel Richard Martin was born on January 15th, 1754.
He was an Irish politician and campaigner against cruelty to animals.
He was known as "Humanity Dick".

14. Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was born on 27th of june in 1846.
He was an Irish nationalist politician who served as a leader of the
Irish Parliamentary Party from 1882 to 1891 and leadered the Home
Rule League from 1880 to 1882.