Scotland vs Ireland

Recently, it has come to my attention through great feuding that either Scotland or Ireland is the overall better country and thus the better people. First, however, an analysis:

Scotland
Scotland, according to historical theory, was settled approximately 5,000 to 9,000 years ago. Early history of the Scottish people include brief skirmishes with occupying Roman forces to the south. However, the Roman might was able to tackle Scotland; yet, only manage to hold the territory for around 50 years. Scottish tribes were known to route Roman occupying forces in the name of freedom and that the Romans would create a desert of the world.

Eventually, the Romans were removed entirely. The Pictish kingdom rose from the tribal lands of Scotland. Throughout the Pictish era in Scotland, Norse and Gaelic-speaking tribes were unified into an English speaking country. Unification of the tribes and language to be mostly English and Gaelic resulted in a two-hundred year old golden age. However, all golden ages must come to an end. The death of Alexander the 3rd and his granddaughter left Scotland unruled. Usurpation of the throne led to an eventual alliance with the French and eventually the Scottish Independence war as a result of internal Scottish struggle.

Independence from Britain was a long road for Scotland. Through the Scottish Renaissance, public education emerged in Europe and was essentially founded in Scotland. Public education in 1496 in Scotland was the first form of proper public education since the time of the Greeks! War with England, even with the aid of France, was eventually futile as the Scottish parliament signed over papal rights.

The 1600's was a famously tumultuous time for Scotland. Famine and poverty ravaged the people due to the Darien Scheme; a countrywide effort to secure trading colonies in Panama, and through the overturn of power from a Scottish born king of England. Desperation led Scottish parliament to sign the treaty of union and, along with Britain, become part of the whole Kingdom of Great Britain.

Ireland
Much like Scotland, Ireland was thought to be inhabited between 5,000 to 9,000 years ago with the retreating Glacial forces. Enormous fields used for farming have been found in Ireland. Some speculate to be the biggest in pre-historic time. Ireland was used as a major maritime trading post through most of the bronze age. Diffusion of cultures in the iron age resulted in more than a dozen Celtic tribes. The tribes each had their own king and loosely answered to the High King of Ireland. Some speculate that lineage to the High King spanned thousands of years.

Pallidius and Saint Patrick, in 431 A.D., brought Christianity to Ireland, which in turn theoretically peacefully routed druidic practices. Latin, Greek, and Christian theology flourished scholastically in Ireland during this period. Irish missionaries are partially responsible for the spread of Christianity after the eventual fall of Rome. Vikings, in the 9th century, were known to plunder and pillage Irish monasteries and towns.

Norman knights invaded Ireland in the late 1100's. Through Norman rule and orders from the Pope, Ireland was eventually turned over to John Lackland, son of Henry the second. Following the black plague, the church attempted to enforce a separation of English-Irish and Norman-Irish people unsuccessfully. Essentially, the English culture was routed and a new Norman-influenced Irish culture emerged.

English expansion wrought a series of wars and skirmishes that, according to theory, resulted in the death or displacement of over half of the Irish population. Some postulate that approximately 50,000 Irishmen were sold into slavery. Even following the war; penal codes and laws were implemented, which resulted in loss of civil rights and basic sundry necessities.

The Great Frost destroyed stored crops and resulted in poor growing conditions and ultimately culminated in the death of 250,000 Irish people. However, some time after The Great Frost, laws were repealed that nearly gave Ireland independence from Britain. Rebellions rose to become fully independent but were quickly brought down. In 1799, a law failed to bring unification to Britain and Ireland; however, in 1801 and through bribery, a unification was brought about, which solidified Ireland's place as part of The United King of Great Britain and Ireland.

Another tragedy, in 1840, befell Ireland: The Great Famine. The census in 1841 recorded Irish population at over 8 million. The famine resulted in the swift death of over a million Irish people with another million or more emigrating to escape the famine. Ireland, until 2006, has had a continuous population decline and has yet to recover its population.

The Fight
So ultimately the decision must come down to which is better. Scotland or Ireland. How can we classify the rank of a country based on its history? Perhaps the struggle between a Scottish friend of mine and me, of course being Irish, is futile. Ireland has a history of constant struggles, death, take-overs, and even slavery. Scotland seems to have a more successful albeit bloody history. I suppose I will rank the countries as follows:

Scotland Advantages: Successfully fought back the Roman empire and lasted quite awhile before the English. Public education was brought back in part due to Scotland.
Scotland Disadvantages: They aren't Irish, kidding. None. There are no disadvantages for Scotland.

Irish Advantages: Upwards to 16 early tribes on a small island and they didn't kill each other? That is a lesson we could all learn. Some would say the spread of Christianity through missionary teaching is a plus...
Irish Disadvantages: Through hard times, they had to cope somehow. It is no wonder why we drink... this recounting doesn't even mention American-Irish hard times!