Religion of the Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a complex religious landscape, primarily divided between two main groups: Protestants and Catholics.
1. **Protestants**: This group predominantly belongs to various denominations, including the Church of Ireland (Anglican), Presbyterian, and Baptist churches. Many Protestants in Northern Ireland identify with a British identity and often represent the unionist community, which supports the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
2. **Catholics**: The Catholic community has historically been associated with the nationalist movement, which seeks a closer relationship with or reunification with the Republic of Ireland.
This religious divide has historical roots and is tied to cultural and political identities in Northern Ireland. The tensions between these two communities have contributed to significant social and political conflict, particularly during The Troubles, a period of violent conflict that lasted roughly from the late 1960s until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Today, while the religious divide remains influential, Northern Ireland has seen efforts towards greater integration and a more diverse society that includes other religious and non-religious groups.