Northern+Ireland

= Northern Ireland = = = = = =  = =  = = = __  Religion  __ The two main religious groups both currently and historically in Northern Ireland are Protestants and Catholics. Although there are more Protestants, 2/5 of the population is Catholic. The fact that Catholics also currently have a slightly higher birthrate has led to predictions that they will eventually become the majority in Northern Ireland. The biggest denominations of Protestants in Northern Ireland are Presbyterians along with The Anglican Church of Religious differences have also affected the settlement patterns of Northern Ireland. During the “Troubles” of the later half of the 20th century, many Protestants living in Belfast relocated to estates surrounding the city, or more rural areas such as Northern Dawn if they were wealthy enough to afford them. Even when Catholics and Protestants are both living in the same region, they are very much segregated. More than half of Northern Irish people live in districts which are more than 9/10 from one background or the other. “Peace Lines” in working districts are not uncommon as they have historically prevented acts of violence from both Protestants and Catholics in the adjacent working classes.