Arielle Badger, Clifford Newman and Dr. Michael Findley, Family, Home, and Social Sciences
The Easter Rising of 1916 began the end of British rule in Ireland. While the Republic of Ireland gained full independence in 1922, Northern Ireland remained under British control. Many Irish nationalists continued to fight for a fully united, independent Ireland. Small-scale attacks were continued by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which eventually escalated into the “Troubles” from roughly 1969-1994. The “Troubles” were not simply about territorial integrity through uniting the Irish island. The conflict was between races, religion and in protest of centuries of occupation and discrimination.
Our project was focused on the rise of nationalism in Northern Ireland. An intensive research paper explored the history and effects of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Two main facets were explored: military tactics and cultural responses. This conflict was defined by asymmetrical warfare foddered by both militants and Irish civilians. Members of the IRA were extremely mobile and able to blend in with civilian populations, making a force on force battle almost impossible. Thus there were hundreds of civilian casualties. In regards to culture, “rebel” songs were analyzed as well as murals and famous graffiti covering many walls and homes in Belfast and Derry. Rebel songs are extremely popular in Irish pubs not only in Northern Ireland, but the entire island. Many songs address the dilemma of freedom fighter versus terrorist. Both sides see the other as the terrorist in the fight and the public attitudes towards the fighting and definition of the militants is made blatantly clear through song.
In addition to the research paper and audio documentary was made. While it was difficult to find persons to interview who were willing to share their stories about the “Troubles” and their experiences with the IRA, we were able to interview a young woman who is an active member of the IRA. This woman’s identity will not be revealed and they will remain anonymous for security reasons. This woman is Irish and was born and raised in Belfast as a devoutly religious Catholic. Her earliest experience with the conflict was when British soldiers invaded her home in the night seeking a relative to arrest. Her family was questioned and the British soldiers interrogated even her, a child of 6. She grew up learning Irish, or Celtic, even though it was prohibited. She witnessed many relatives, friends and neighbors suffer under British rule and persecuted for celebrating their Irish heritage by speaking their language or practicing Catholicism.
The woman began her participation in the IRA by delivering packages from her cousin to other members of the IRA at the age of 10. As she grew up, she became more and more invested in the cause for freedom for her people. She is now trained as a sniper in the RIRA, or the Real IRA that is currently active in Northern Ireland. When asked why she decided to fight, she told us that her love for her people and her land made it her duty to fight.
When we began this research, our opinions were shaped by U.S. policy: the IRA is a terrorist organization. We focused on the war, the bloodshed and massacres. Yet as we listened to our young woman’s personal stories and read many other anecdotes, our eyes were opened to a new perspective. The line blurred between the “right” and “wrong” of this conflict. What makes a terrorist? As the most famous rebel song, Joe McDonnell states, “And you dare to call me a terrorist, while you looked down your gun. When I think of all the deeds that you had done….and you brought this terror to my land.”