New Ireland

New Ireland, island in the Bismarck Archipelago north of New Britain, part of the nation of Papua New Guinea since 1975. It is a narrow and rugged volcanic island, approximately 230 mi (370 km) long. The first European to reach and name the island was Philip Carteret. Germany claimed the island (1884) until, at the end of World War I, Australia took over its control. Except for the Japanese occupation (1942–5), Australia administered the island until the independence of Papua New Guinea (1975).