The troubles where a conflict between late 1960 two 1998. This conflict started because the protestants had better rights, and got treated much better than the Catholics. This led two that a lot of Catholics got very angry, which later led two the troubles. The different parts in this conflict was Ireland, the IRA, UK and the Ulster loyalist. The IRA stands for Irish republican army, and was a terrorist organization, who fought for the uniting of Ireland. The Ulster loyalist was a group who was against the uniting of Ireland. This conflict has many consequences as for example that a lot of people died, and that Ireland and Northern Ireland got separated. Today the situation is much better compared two when the troubles was, but Ireland and Northern Ireland is still two separated countries. Where northern Ireland is a part of the UK and Ireland is an independent state.
You can compare the troubles two the situation in Ukraine today, where the Russian supported separatist fight against the Ukrainian army, because they want to get their own country.
Kasper 