TheUlsterconflict part1 FromtheEnglishcolonization to the 2nd HomeRulebill. DAVE MANSELL (*) The latest (1971) census figures for Northern Ireland (1) showed a population of 1,519,640. In response to an optional question about religious denomination 510 people called themselves atheists and 1200 agnostics. 142,511 people did not answer the question compared with 28,418 in the previous census of 1961 (when the question was compulsory) but this was probably due to a campaign against answering the question (1) « Northern Ireland» is the official title for the six north-eastern counties of Ireland (Antrim, Down, Armagh, Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh) which were detached from the rest of the country by the British GovernmP.nt's « Government of Ireland Act» in late 1920. All these six counties formed part (along with Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal) of the ancient province of Ulster. When « Ulster » is used with reference to the current political situation, it refers to the six-county area (which was thought by the Protestant ruling and business classes to be the maximum area they could maintain under their control permanently, and wich would be economically viable); when «Ulster» is used in historical accounts, it refers to the entire northern province. The rest of the country outside Northern Ireland has been known variously as Southernlreland (even though it contains the most northerly county - Donegal), the Irish Free State, Eire and the Republic of Ireland. Many southern republicans (particularly militants of the I.R.A.) refer to Northern Ireland as « the six counties » and to the Republic as « the twenty-six counties » since they still do not recognise either of the two states, and are dedicated to the creation of a « thirty-two counties workers' republic ». (*) 30, currently librarian by trade; previously student of English and American culture, and postman. Associated t(off and on) from 1972-76 with the London anarchist periodical, Freedom. 49 4
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