Northern Ireland marks centenary without fanfare as crises simmer

Muted celebrations amid COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, post-Brexit tensions and the first minister’s resignation.

Northern Ireland marked its centenary with muted fanfare, as stringent coronavirus lockdown restrictions, simmering post-Brexit unrest and a leadership crisis overshadowed the anniversary in the United Kingdom province. Home to 1.9 million people, Northern Ireland was created on May 3, 1921, when the Government of Ireland Act came into effect and partitioned the island into two entities following the Irish War of Independence. Northern Ireland became part of the UK alongside England, Scotland and Wales.