What is Ireland like with respect to the IRA?

[Lynked]

I've never been to this wonderful country, although I hope to sometime.

I watched a movie the other day called "The Devil's Own" starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt. The plot was about a guy (Brad Pitt) wanted by the British and Interpol for IRA related bombings, and murders. He traveled to the U.S. to purchase weapons and an IRA supporter (a judge) in the U.S. arranged for him to stay with a NYC cop (Harrison Ford). The cop had no idea that the guy was wanted. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't seen it...

Anyway, I was wondering what Ireland is like with respect to the IRA? I really don't know much about the history of the IRA. From what I understand, the IRA fights for independance of Britan.

Any info about the state of affairs in Ireland and / or history about the IRA will be mucho appreciated.

[DoctaD]

At the moment there are very few problems concerning the IRA in the normal day to day lives of the Irish people, as far as Im aware. There are random bombings which are claimed by splinter groups of this paramilitary, but these are really uncontrollable factions.

[Greenflame]

I remember reading about the IRA along time ago.They supposedly
Teach kids Electronics at the age of 5.They are also good with
Explosives.I believe there view on Politics is you cant change the
political system without Money, so kill the Greedy Politicians.I cant
say I disagree with some of there view points.

S25 lives in Ireland! he also likes Chemistry.

[OsirisGuy429]

Well here's what I've understood, from a halfish Irish-American in the States.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is seen as a terrorist group the same way Americans see Al Queda as a terrorist group except the IRA has better motives and, well, are fighting for their rights instead of hatred for the other, for the most part.

The IRA is a politacly motivated organization that fights for the freedom and rights of the Irish Catholics, mostly located in Northern Ireland, but fight for the rest of Ireland as well. As in they don't like the British occupancy there.

The IRA is now like the mob, they aren't as nearly organized as in the past and remain mostly underground.

A weird coinsidence is that last night I happened to watch a movie called "The General" which was about a man in the IRA and all the robberies and "jobs" he did. I feel asleep towards the end however since it was around 4 in the morning. It was very good and I reccomend it too, it's also in black and white, which I have no problem with but some people do.

Also best way to look up info. www.Google.com
Here's a search for the IRA (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=IRA&btnG=Google+Search)
Site 1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republican_Army)
Site 2 (http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/2435/)

[OsirisGuy429]

Well here's what I've understood, from a halfish Irish-American in the States.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is seen as a terrorist group the same way Americans see Al Queda as a terrorist group except the IRA has better motives and, well, are fighting for their rights instead of hatred for the other, for the most part.

The IRA is a politacly motivated organization that fights for the freedom and rights of the Irish Catholics, mostly located in Northern? Ireland, but fight for the rest of Ireland as well. As in they don't like the British occupancy there.

The IRA is now like the mob, they aren't as nearly organized as in the past and remain mostly underground.

A weird coinsidence is that last night I happened to watch a movie called "The General" which was about a man in the IRA and all the robberies and "jobs" he did. I feel asleep towards the end however since it was around 4 in the morning. It was very good and I reccomend it too, it's also in black and white, which I have no problem with but some people do.

Of course this is what I have understood with little knowledge. If I am worng, sorry then. Please correct me. I do sympathize for the IRA from what i understand as well.

Also best way to look up info. www.Google.com
Here's a search for the IRA (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=IRA&btnG=Google+Search)
Site 1 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Republican_Army)
Site 2 (http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/2435/)

[S25]

Greenflame what are you getting at?

The general is martin cahill and my uncle worked with him (believe it or not)

Tiochfaigh ar la ;)

[DoctaD]

Tiocfaidh ar la... im drunk, but I could swear thats hwow u slepp it/

[S25]

I was at mass today in another place than usual and i saw a window well 2 actualy with

In rememberance of the deceased members of the 2nd batalion Old IRA donated by there comrades

[Stone]

The IRA started in the early 1900's to free all of Ireland from British rule. The IRA you hear of now are a totally different group of men. The original IRA disintegrated in the 50/60's as most of Ireland was free. In the North of Ireland, there are still six counties under British rule.

At the time of the Irish War of Independance, these counties had a unionist/loyalist (Unionist -> A person who supports the Act of Union, that is the merging of British and Irish governments and having Ireland ruled directly from London. Loyalist -> A person who remains loyal to the British crown. Both have the same stance on the politics of Northern Ireland) majority. In the mid 1900's, the Irish minority were treated horribly. The had almost no rights whatsoever, and were poor and starving. The political system worked in such a way (called Gerrymandering) that the Nationalists/Republicans (Nationalist -> A person who wants Ireland united and free. Republican -> Same thing except takes a more hardline approach.) could never get into any position of power. Unemployment was huge among the nationalists as they were not never given jobs by the unionists (who owned everything). This was based on more than politics though, as the unionists were 99% protestant, the nationilists were 99% Catholic.

As the Irish in the north were being treated so badly and the British government were ignoring it, some of the nationalists decided enough is enough, we're going to war to get our country back and free our people. This was the start of the Provisional IRA. This is the IRA you know today. After Bloody Sunday (When 14 innocent civilians were slaughtered by British soldiers during a peaceful protest in Derry) the IRA swelled in size. People flocked to them in droves, they didn't want to have to put up with it any longer.

Fast forward a couple of years and a couple of bombs/shootings, there came a thing called internment. In the 70's, British soldiers arrested Irish men in N.I. and threw them in jail without crime and without trial. Just because they had a suspicion that the lads might have been in the IRA.

Then came the Hunger Strikes. The Irish who were in Longkesh prison decided to go on hunger strike in protest at the conditions they were imprisoned in. (No toilet, they pissed and shitted on the floor of thier cell. No clothes, all they had was a blanket. Regular beatings, and food unfit for a rat.)

Fast forward again, now things are a lot different. Nationalists in N.I. have equal rights, have jobs, and have a majority in three of the six counties. Within 5-10 years, there will be a nationalist majority in the whole of Northern Ireland, and Sinn F?in (the political party of the IRA) see that there may be a peaceful solution. That they may unite Ireland by political means. Some support it, others don't. Splinter groups form, such as 'The Real IRA' and 'The Continuity IRA'. These groups don't have as much members or support, and The Real IRA are pretty much dead now after they lost so much support after the Omagh Bombing (http://www.irelandstory.com/past/omagh/main.html) and most have been arrested and charged. Do not confuse these idiots with Provo's, as the provo's actually do protect the Irish people from unionist attacks (oh yes, the UVF, UFF, etc, attack and kill nationalists for no reason) in certain areas, and without them fighting back, the nationalists in the north would still have no rights.

Alot of the people in the Republic don't care about NI anymore, it's never been a part of their lives. Others do. The majority of Irish people support the idea of Irish Re-unification, but that doesn't mean they support the IRA.

Any questions? Anything I missed?


It's spelt 'Tiocfaidh Ar La'

And Osiris, Martin Cahill wasn't ever a member of the IRA. They killed him because he was dealing with Unionists (he sold them stolen art that they would resell and use the profit to buy guns to kill Nationalists). Martin Cahill was just a very capable criminal. 'The General' is a pretty accurate film, but if you want one that's loosly based on him (and I mean loose!) you could watch 'Ordinary Decent Criminal'.

[OsirisGuy429]

I never said that Martin Cahill was in the IRA, I didn't even mention his name. S25 was the one who gave a name. If one of the sources I had mentioned him then sorry 'bout that, I didn't read those. I just threw them up and there and it's the site thats wrong.

Only Gaelic I know: Erin Go Braugh. How's that?

[Stone]

A weird coinsidence is that last night I happened to watch a movie called "The General" which was about a man in the IRA and all the robberies and "jobs" he did. I feel asleep towards the end however since it was around 4 in the morning. It was very good and I reccomend it too, it's also in black and white, which I have no problem with but some people do.

The General was the nickname that Martin Cahill had. The film is about him.

'Erin Go Bragh' means 'Ireland is Great'
:::Pronounced -> Err-in G (don't say the letter G, just the sound it makes in a word) Braa

[Lynked]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I'm reading this "The Ireland Story" site now.

Any other good sites, recommended reading about the history of Ireland, especially with respect to British rule and the IRA?

[OsirisGuy429]

The General was the nickname that Martin Cahill had. The film is about him.

'Erin Go Bragh' means 'Ireland is Great'
:::Pronounced -> Err-in G (don't say the letter G, just the sound it makes in a word) Braa

Ah, didn't realize that. Now that I look back I remember of course everyone calling him by his name. Didn't make the connection.

I know the pronounciation too. I feel special.

[Stone]

I don't know of any site's, everything I know I read in books or learned in school (I loved history!).

Read this book. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340717378/thirdway0c/202-0055319-2478204)

[screwtape]

Come out ye Black and Tans come out and fight me like a man
Show your wife how you won medals down in Flanders,
Tell them how the IRA made you run like hell away
From the green and lovely lanes of Killashandra.


Drunk and Likein it :Flush:

[SayItAintSo014]

I love that song, screwtape.

[headcase]

Michael Collins, a Cork man, pushed the British army out of Ireland with a small band of "insurgents" in todays language. Absolute hero. Watch the film "Michael Collins" and "The Wind that shook the Barley" for a picture of the origional IRA.

Today, they're just a criminal gang, and not a very influential one at that. They are, for all intents and purposes, finished. Funny story, back when I was into explosives, I got a strange phone call from an old friend asking me about it.

[Stone]

Michael Collins was only an ok film I think. To much love story blah blah. Havn't seent the wind that shakes the barley though.

I actually know this (http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2005/02/21/story190396.asp) guy really well. I used to be support the IRA and all that crap years ago but I grew up and realised that it's a load of bullshit. They are mainly a bunch of scumbags who think they are important. Not that guy though, he is one of the soundest people you could meet. It's a pity.

[Esophagus]

It seems like they could be doing plenty of good if they wanted to, and got a little full of themselves somewhere in the process.... Outside perspective, anyways.

[BlinD]

I gather you guys haven't heard... The IRA signed a "peace treaty" with the British Government in 2005, wars over... for now. But many treaties between the two parties have broken down over time. So who knows how long it will actually last.

http://irelandsown.net/IRAhistory.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisional_Irish_Republican_Army

I originally read about the surrender in 05, but found these links for you to check out, I combed over the wiki article and the details of the treaty are towards the bottom.

[S25]

The Provos did what about the other spin offs, CIRA and all that. It will never be over and they will always be around.
I no I came off there sounding like a nice little pro-'RA kiddy but I am not really it is just a fact of life.

[headcase]

I haven't heard anything about the CIRA in years. What with power-sharing in the North, I'd say things are done for good.

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/images/hs/hs1624201_1.jpg

Ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness (right) sitting with DUP leader Ian Paisley.

[Stone]

CIRA, RIRA, INLA, whatever... None of them have the support or resources to do anything. The Provo's are disarmed. They have agreed not to fight anymore. The people in NI just want to live normal lives and not have to worry about their kids getting blown to pieces when walking down the street.

[S25]

Stone that's true they just want to live normal lives but there will always be those around who wish to fight and bomb and kill to get there way.
And yes it has died down it will die down but I am sorry lads I cannot believe it is completely over I mean I do honestly thing that other groups at least will do things. Maybe not now or soon, But I think they will eventually.

[Stone]

The dissidents know that it's pointless doing anything without popular support. That's how the Provo's got away with it for so long, the people supported them. Look at RIRA after the Omagh bombing. They were a fast rising group gaining support everywhere. Then they planted the Omagh bomb and within a day all their support had disintigrated. That one plot destroyed their group because the people refused to support them. The people have said they want peace. Both sides have agreed to stop the killing and try to get along, for the sake of their families and communities future. Unless someone in the top ranks of either side does something completely stupid I can't imagine this peace floundering. Yes, there is still hate and contempt there. But this is the first step to eradicating that.

I mean, I fucking hate Ian Paisley Snr and Jnr and their followers. They are racist pigs. Their organisiations are linked to neo-nazi groups all over Europe. Practically every Irish person hates them and they hate us. But people are finally willing to put the hate aside for the greatere cause. The IRA have done it, the UDA/UVF/UFF have done it. In fact, the UDA, UVF, UFF have decided to kill each other instead of killing Irish. But look at the loyalists and look at Sinn F?in, the former are facist while the latter are marxist. They couldn't be more different on any scale you would measure. Yet they still have gone into power-sharing together for the good cause. Both have made sacrifices, willingly or not, but it's working. People up there are happy. I can't see anything stopping it now.

[DoctaD]

Northern Ireland will never truely experience peace until the DUP has been completely abolished.

This has nothing to do with the topic at hand, just something I found amusing. My girlfriend and I were driving out of an extremely sectarian protestant housing estate a few days ago, and we passed a group of young men building the start of their bonfire. She said "Aww... look at the little Ufers doing what they're told." The paramilitaries are a laughing stock at the moment.

[headcase]

Ian Paisley's daughter sued him for sexual discrimination.









Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

[Stone]

DD, isn't all of your town extremely sectarian protestant? Aswell as being the drugs capital of the UK...

[DoctaD]

It earned that title quite a few years ago, yeah.

I have moved to a mixed, but mainly Catholic, village outside the town. The majority of the town is protestant, yeah. It's maybe 70/30.

[Stone]

There ain't no orange bastards where I live anyway. Did ya hear about the riots in Dublin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Dublin_Republican_riots) last year because of the fuckers trying to march down O'Connel Street. And the idiot rioters didn't even wait 'til the march started so the jaffa's got away on their bus and the rioters just fought the cops. Idiots...

And the Orange cunts want to hold another march this year! And our government is so fucking stupd that they'll let them...

[DoctaD]

Orange parades used to really wind me up. Recently, I couldn't care less. The sad little bastards are wasting their free time practising their shit music and marching, wasting their money buying instruments and faggy uniforms, just so they can look like twats a few days a year, marching around towns in the freezing cold and (if we all pray enough :D) heavy rain.

I use my free time to do what I want to do, and my disposable income for more interesting things than rising my ranks in a dying organisation.