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Sinn Féin and the IRA: A Long and Winding Road

Jon Reed

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Sinn Féin and the IRA are two of the most well-known organizations in Irish history. Sinn Féin is a political party that advocates for a united Ireland, while the IRA is a paramilitary organization that has fought for Irish independence. The relationship between the two organizations has been complex and often controversial, but it has also been a defining feature of Irish history for over a century.

Sinn Fein and the IRA: From Revolution to Moderation

by John Warwicker

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Early Years

Sinn Féin was founded in 1905 as a breakaway from the Irish Parliamentary Party. The party's founders believed that the IPP was too willing to compromise with the British government, and they wanted to create a more militant organization that would fight for an independent Ireland. The IRA was founded in 1919 as the military wing of Sinn Féin. The IRA's goal was to use violence to drive the British out of Ireland and establish an independent Irish republic.

The Irish War of Independence

The Irish War of Independence was fought from 1919 to 1921 between the IRA and the British government. The war ended with the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which created the Irish Free State. The treaty was opposed by many Irish nationalists, including Sinn Féin and the IRA.

The Irish Civil War

The Irish Civil War was fought from 1922 to 1923 between the pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions of the IRA. The war ended with the defeat of the anti-treaty IRA.

The Troubles

The Troubles was a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The conflict was fought between the IRA and the British government. The IRA's goal was to force the British government to withdraw from Northern Ireland and create a united Ireland.

The Peace Process

The peace process in Northern Ireland began in the early 1990s. The process led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The agreement created a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and ended the IRA's armed campaign.

Sinn Féin and the IRA Today

Sinn Féin is now a major political party in Northern Ireland. The party has renounced violence and is committed to working through the political process. The IRA has also decommissioned its weapons and is no longer active.

The relationship between Sinn Féin and the IRA has been complex and often controversial. However, it has also been a defining feature of Irish history for over a century. The organizations have played a significant role in the struggle for Irish independence and in the peace process.

Sinn Fein and the IRA: From Revolution to Moderation

by John Warwicker

5 out of 5