It has been said that Ireland was England’s original empire
It has been said that Ireland was England’s original empire and playground
where they honed their skills of imperialism, using tactics like rape, murder, elimination of language, starvation, displacement, importing of new immigrants, taking over land, eliminating culture, etc. All of these tactics would later be used by the British Empire in other areas, including North America to deal with Native people. How would you describe English treatment and occupation of Ireland in this early phase and what role did the Irish play in the story of the British Empire, including as immigrants, convicts, troops, critics, and intellectuals?