What was the main issue at the heart of 'The Troubles'?

Okay, let's talk about "The Troubles." This period, primarily from the late 1960s to the late 1990s, was a really difficult time in Northern Ireland, marked by intense political and sectarian violence. At its core, the conflict was about the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. You see, after the partition of Ireland in 1921, the island was divided into the Republic of Ireland, which was independent, and Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom. Many Catholics/Nationalists in Northern Ireland wanted to unite with the Republic of Ireland to form a single, independent Irish nation. On the other hand, many Protestants/Unionists wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. This fundamental disagreement over whether Ireland should be one country fueled the violence and political instability of "The Troubles." While issues like discrimination and civil rights were definitely factors, the underlying cause, the main issue, was this division over national identity and belonging. It's important to remember that the conflict wasn't simply religious; it was deeply rooted in political and national aspirations.