Books
Brendan O'Brien

O'Brien Pocket History of the IRA

An accessible, clearly-written account of the IRA from 1916 to today. It covers the origins and history of the organisation, its aims, the political and military thinking which has driven its activities, and the major personalities who have shaped the direction of the movement down through the years.

The relationship with the Irish and British governments is examined, as well as the effects of the major bombing campaigns and the 1981 hunger strikes. It also explains the radical shift in thinking which led to the IRA seeking a political way towards the goal of Irish unity rather than pursuing the entrenched 'Brits Out' policy at the point of a gun.

The background to the IRA ceasefire, and the many factors which contributed to its ending are looked at, as well as the prospects for a lasting peace in one of the world's most troubled arenas.

With a new chapter that brings us as far as 2018 this book has everything you need to know about the IRA.
241 printed pages
Copyright owner
Bookwire
Original publication
2019
Publication year
2019
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Quotes

  • Анастасия Сухареваhas quoted9 years ago
    That July was the worst month in the entire northern troubles – 200 explosions, 95 dead, 2,800 shooting incidents. Whitelaw was caught out and vowed never again to hold secret talks with the IRA. The combination of those two responses ensured that the Provisionals’ campaign would continue indefinitely.
  • Анастасия Сухареваhas quoted9 years ago
    In September 1971 the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) was formed, drawing support from loyalist working-class areas of Belfast in particular. For many in those areas the UDA was seen as an unofficial replacement for the B-Specials, their new shield against the IRA. The UDA became a formidable force on the ground, reaching a peak, also in 1972, of about 40,000 members. In that year loyalist groups of varying kinds killed 111 people, mostly ordinary Catholics.
  • Анастасия Сухареваhas quoted9 years ago
    Terror was the tactic. The military objective was to create a fortress-like atmosphere where the north could be governed only by military means. This, in turn, would bring the collapse of Northern Ireland as a viable entity, forcing the British government into making radical political changes. From the Provos’ point of view the signs and the omens looked good.

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