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Outline of the Troubles facts for kids

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The Troubles was a difficult and often violent period in Northern Ireland that lasted for about 30 years, from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. It was a conflict mainly between two groups: unionists (mostly Protestants) who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, and nationalists (mostly Catholics) who wanted Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland. This time involved political disagreements, protests, and violence from different groups, including paramilitary organisations and state security forces. Many people were affected, and the period ended with a peace agreement in 1998. This guide helps you understand the key parts of this important time in history.

Understanding the Troubles

Groups Involved in the Troubles

During the Troubles, various groups were involved. Some were called paramilitary groups, which means they were organised like armies but were not part of the official government forces. Both the Republic of Ireland and the UK made it illegal to be a member of many of these groups.

Republican Groups

These groups generally wanted Northern Ireland to unite with the Republic of Ireland.

Name Initials Active Years
Provisional Irish Republican Army PIRA 1970–2005
Official Irish Republican Army OIRA 1970–1972
Irish National Liberation Army INLA 1974–2009
Irish People's Liberation Organisation IPLO 1986–1992
Continuity Irish Republican Army CIRA 1994–
Real Irish Republican Army RIRA 1997–
Óglaigh na hÉireann (Real IRA splinter group) ONH 2009–

Loyalist Groups

These groups generally wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Name Initials Active Years
Ulster Volunteer Force
Red Hand Commando		 UVF
RHC		 1966–
1972–2007
Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Freedom Fighters		 UDA
UFF		 1971–
Ulster Resistance UR 1986–?
Loyalist Volunteer Force LVF 1996–2005
Orange Volunteers OV 1998–
Red Hand Defenders RHD 1998–

Cover Names Used by Groups

Sometimes, groups used different names to claim responsibility for actions, often to hide their true identity.

  • Protestant Action Force – Used by the UVF.
  • South Armagh Republican Action Force – Used by the PIRA.
  • Catholic Reaction Force – Used by the INLA.
  • Ulster Freedom Fighters – Used by the UDA.

When Groups Were Active

This table shows when different groups were active.

  • Green means a republican group was active.
  • Orange means a loyalist group was active.
  • Grey means a ceasefire was in place.
Group Year
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Provisional IRA
Official IRA
UVF
UDA
INLA
IPLO
Continuity IRA
Real IRA
LVF

Security Forces During the Troubles

Official security forces from both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland were involved in maintaining order and responding to the conflict.

United Kingdom Forces

Northern Ireland Specific Forces

Republic of Ireland Forces

  • Irish Army: The main military force of the Republic of Ireland.
  • Garda Síochána: The police force of the Republic of Ireland.

Political Parties and Their Views

Many political parties in Northern Ireland have different ideas about its future. Their views on the Good Friday Agreement (a major peace deal in 1998) are also important.

Irish Nationalist Parties

These parties generally want Northern Ireland to be part of a united Ireland.

Parties Supporting the Agreement

Parties Against the Agreement

  • The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP): A socialist nationalist party, linked to the INLA.
  • Republican Sinn Féin (RSF): A nationalist party linked to the Continuity IRA.
  • The 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM): A nationalist group linked to the Real IRA.

Unionist Parties

These parties generally want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Parties Supporting the Agreement

  • The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP): A major unionist party, initially against the Agreement but now supports it.
  • The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP): A moderate conservative unionist party.
  • The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP): A moderate unionist party, linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force.
  • The Conservative Party: Also active in Northern Ireland.

Parties Against the Agreement

Other Parties

Political Structures in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has had different ways of governing itself over the years.

Northern Ireland Government

Before the Agreement (1921–1972)

After the Agreement (1998–)

Northern Ireland Law-Making Bodies

Before the Agreement (1921–1972) The Parliament of Northern Ireland:

After the Agreement (1998–)

The Peace Process

The peace process was a series of talks and agreements aimed at ending the conflict and building a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

Key Steps to Peace

Cultural and Religious Organisations

Culture and religion play a big part in Northern Ireland's identity, and some organisations are linked to these aspects.

Religious Groups

Sporting Groups

Community Organisations

These groups often have historical or cultural links to either unionist/Protestant or nationalist/Catholic traditions.

Unionist/Protestant Groups

Nationalist/Catholic Groups

  • The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH)
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