After being invaded by the English in the 12. century, Ireland was fully conquered by Henry VIII. in 1542. It will take two and a half centuries for the Irish to be inspired by the French revolution and fully realise the importance of the question of their independence. Throughout the 19. century, British have tried to use multiple new laws and reforms to appease the Irish who wanted their independence. It would be unfair to say that the British haven't tried to ease the suffering in the Ireland, but their reforms were always introduced too late and they did too little. One of the examples is the Great Famine when more than two and a half million people either left Ireland or died of hunger without British government offering the proper help. All these issues inspired nationalists in Ireland to form groups, Fenian Brotherhood for example, which will fight for Irish independence on multiple fronts. There were also influential people like O'Connell, Parnell and Gladstone who tried to make a change and if possible enable a Home Rule for Ireland. However, the power of the House of Lords and the influence of the Unionists in the Parliament was too great. Only at the start of the 20. century did their power subside and the Home Rule was finally passed. Unfortunately, it was decided to resolve the matter of the Home Rule once the First World War ended. Radicals in Ireland decided to take this opportunity and in 1916. tried to rise against the British government and achieve full independence. Even though they failed, Ireland faced a Civil War and achieved its Home Rule in 1922. The Irish question was resolved but their struggles with IRA continued until the end of the century.