Outline of the Troubles facts for kids
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.
Contents
Understanding the Troubles
Key Topics and Events
Important Dates and Events
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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
- British Army: The main military force from the UK.
- Territorial Army: A part-time volunteer force.
- Royal Air Force: The UK's air force.
- Royal Navy: The UK's naval force.
- Metropolitan Police: The police force for London.
- MI5: The UK's domestic intelligence agency.
- GCHQ: A government agency for intelligence and security.
- Secret Intelligence Service: The UK's foreign intelligence agency.
Northern Ireland Specific Forces
- Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC): The police force in Northern Ireland until 2001.
- Ulster Special Constabulary (USC): An earlier police reserve force (until 1970).
- Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS): Responsible for prisons.
- Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR): A local army regiment (1970–1992).
- Royal Irish Regiment (RIR): Formed after the UDR (from 1992).
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
- Sinn Féin (SF): A major nationalist party, historically linked to the Provisional IRA.
- The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP): A moderate nationalist party.
- The Workers' Party (WP): A socialist nationalist party.
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
- Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV): A unionist party that opposes the Agreement.
Other Parties
- The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland: A liberal party that supports working together across communities.
- The Green Party: Focuses on environmental issues.
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)
- Prime Minister of Northern Ireland: The head of the government.
After the Agreement (1998–)
- First Minister and deputy First Minister: The joint heads of the government.
- Northern Ireland Executive: The government's cabinet.
Northern Ireland Law-Making Bodies
Before the Agreement (1921–1972) The Parliament of Northern Ireland:
- House of Commons of Northern Ireland: Where elected representatives met.
- Senate of Northern Ireland: An upper house.
After the Agreement (1998–)
- The Northern Ireland Assembly: The main law-making body today.
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
- Sunningdale Agreement (1973): An early attempt at power-sharing.
- Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985): An agreement between the UK and Irish governments.
- Downing Street Declaration (1993): A statement of principles for peace.
- Belfast Agreement (1998): Also known as the Good Friday Agreement, this was a major peace deal.
- IRA ceasefire and decommissioning (2005): When the Provisional IRA ended its armed actions and gave up its weapons.
- St Andrews Agreement (2006): Another important agreement to restore power-sharing.
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
- Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
- Church of Ireland (Anglican)
- Presbyterian Church in Ireland
- Methodist Church in Ireland
Sporting Groups
- The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA): Promotes traditional Irish sports.
Community Organisations
These groups often have historical or cultural links to either unionist/Protestant or nationalist/Catholic traditions.
Unionist/Protestant Groups
- The Apprentice Boys of Derry
- The Orange Institution
- The Royal Black Institution
Nationalist/Catholic Groups
- The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH)