What Irish referendum has ever been held Grab? The unionist minority rules in the north. There was never a free All (island of) Ireland vote on whether or not they wanted to be part of the UK. The Brits kept the ports, heavy industry and shipbuilders of the north because they wanted to keep them. Now they haven't got the guts to say "we don't need it any more, here, have it back" to the rest of Ireland. Ian Paisley and his mates will lose their power base if the north joins the rest of Ireland so they claim they are "loyal to the crown" and the fighting goes on. At least the people of Gibralta get a say in the issue.