Yes - get hold of the song "Four Green Fields" - that tells what was wanted at the time of the Easter uprising. Then Michael Collins, sent to negotiate with the British reps, came back with a treaty allowing England (Britain) to keep possession of the north. He thought it was the best he could do. According to de Valera, he had been told to not sign anything, but return and report what was offered. However, Collins signed. Hence a "Catholic" majority south, and British/Protestant majority north.