Unity (Northern Ireland) facts for kids

Unity was the name for a group of politicians in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s and early 1970s. These politicians were Irish nationalists, Irish republicans, and socialists. They often made agreements to work together in elections. This group also ran in elections as its own political party.

In the 1973 local council elections, Unity managed to get six people elected as councillors in the Fermanagh and Dungannon areas. However, in the next elections in 1977, this number went down to just two councillors in Fermanagh.

Early Successes

Unity's first big win happened in 1969. This was during a special election called a by-election in the Mid Ulster area. A 21-year-old student named Bernadette Devlin won this election.

Bernadette Devlin kept her seat in the 1970 general election. In the same election, her fellow politician, Frank McManus, won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area. Both Bernadette Devlin and Frank McManus lost their seats in the February 1974 general election. Bernadette later joined another political group called the IRSP.

Later Years

In the October 1974 general election, the idea of Unity was used again, even if the name wasn't. A politician named Frank Maguire won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone area. He ran as an independent republican candidate, meaning he wasn't part of a specific party but was supported by many.

Frank Maguire held his seat in parliament until he passed away in 1981. In 1978, Unity joined with parts of the old Nationalist Party. Together, they formed a new group called the Irish Independence Party.