In 1801 the Kingdom of Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In 1922 it withdrew from the Union. The events leading up to 1922 were violent, and the consequences were a traumatic division of Ireland. But the arrangements for Ireland’s exit were orderly and took less than two years. They led to a century of increasing friendship between the people of Ireland and the UK.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is withdrawing from the European Union after 45 years. There is no violence. But the consequences could be a division of the UK, with the possible withdrawal from the UK of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
