Northern Ireland History

The IRA has been a much richer, more complexly layered, and more protean organization than is frequently recognized. It is also more open to balanced examination now - at the end of its long war in the north of Ireland - than it was even a few years ago. Richard English's brilliant audiobook offers a detailed history of the IRA, providing invaluable historical depth to our understanding of the modern-day Provisionals, the more militant wing formed in 1969 dedicated to the removal of the British Government from Northern Ireland and the reunification of Ireland.

From the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century to the entry into peace talks in the late 20th century, the Northern Irish people have been engaged in conflict - Catholic against Protestant, Republican against Unionist. Marc Mulholland explores the pivotal moments in Northern Irish history - the rise of republicanism in the 1800s, Home Rule and the civil rights movement, the growth of Sinn Fein and the provisional IRA, and of the opposition, the DUP, led by Dr. Ian Paisley. 

Pocket History: The Troubles chronicles the 30 year long Irish Troubles. It begins right at the start with the first English invasion of Ireland and continues right up until present day, answering the question of what does the legacy of the troubles mean for modern day Irish and British people.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NOW AN FX LIMITED SERIES STREAMING ON HULU NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD WINNER From the author of Empire of Pain—a stunning, intricate narrative about a notorious killing in Northern Ireland and its devastating repercussions. One of The New York...

From the beginning of time the Irish have always fascinated the world. From their cheerful, happy demeanour to their conflicts with England and the tense North, South divide. Jump into this concise guide and learn all you need to know for your next visit to the Emerald Isle.

There are very few national relationships quite as complicated and enigmatic as the one that exists between the English and the Irish. For two peoples so interconnected by geography and history, the depth of animosity that is often expressed is difficult at times to understand. The History of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the 20th Century analyzes the tumultuous events that marked Irish history during the 20th century.

In 1978, the bloody conflict in Northern Ireland, known as The Troubles, had reached a boiling point. Hundreds of members of the Irish Republican Army, determined to drive the hated British out of the province—killing soldiers and police, detonating bombs, while arming themselves with firearms and explosives—had been arrested and incarcerated in the notorious British prison known as the Maze.

Spanning 38 years of the ‘Troubles’, the British Army’s deployment in Northern Ireland (codenamed Operation Banner) was one of the most difficult and controversial in its recent history. Over 10,000 troops were on active service during much of the campaign, which saw armoured vehicles, helicopters and special forces deployed onto the streets of Ulster. In this book, Dr Aaron Edwards considers the strategic, operational and tactical aspects of Operation Banner, as the Army’s military objectives morphed from high-profile peacekeeping into a covert war against the IRA.

The Northern Ireland conflict is one of the most protracted, bitter, and complex campaigns of terrorism the Western world has ever seen. Since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the region has come a long way, finally achieving a hard-won peace. Yet hostility between Unionists and Nationalists is as strong as ever, communities remain divided, and sectarian violence is rife. Edwards and McGrattan’s balanced introduction skilfully dissects the “Troubles” to offer fresh perspectives on their complicated history and legacy.

***** 'A momentous chronicle, timely and vital, which highlights that the burden of change rests, as always, upon the shoulders of those who suffered and yet, have nurtured the desire that lessons be learned.' - Michael Mansfield QC, who represented a number of families during the Bloody Sunday...

From The Ice Age to Northern Ireland's Peace Settlement and everything in between, the acclaimed academic Dr Jonathan Bardon presents a history of Ireland spanning 10,000 years. Beginning with the Ice Age and Ireland's first plants and wildlife, this history encompasses the arrival of...

The Partition of Ireland and the Troubles: The History of Northern Ireland from the Irish Civil War to the Good Friday Agreement analyzes the tumultuous events that marked the creation of Northern Ireland, and the conflicts fueled by the partition. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Northern Ireland like never before.

After two decades of relative peace following the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, the Brexit referendum in 2016 reopened the Northern Ireland question. In this thoughtful and engaging book, Feargal Cochrane considers the region's troubled history, from the struggle for Irish independence in the 19th century to the present. 

Much of the history of Ireland is defined by the basic facts of its location as an island perched on the very western edge of Europe. Events that had a profound impact on other parts of Europe—the rise of the Roman Empire, the diaspora of Celtic people, and the settlement of Anglo-Saxons in Britain—either had relatively little impact in Ireland or happened much later than in other parts of Europe.

From the first prehistoric inhabitants of the island to the St Andrews Agreement and decommissioning of IRA weapons, this uniquely concise account of Ireland and its people reveals how differing interpretations of history, ancient and modern, have influenced modern Irish society. Combining factual information with a critical approach, Coohill covers all the key events, including the Great Famine, Home Rule, and the Good Friday Agreement.

Mary returns to Scotland in the summer of 1996, her head brimming with wedding plans. But Gareth has quite different ideas. He is off to work in a reconciliation center in Northern Ireland, made possible by the recent ceasefire in the Troubles. Filled with trepidation, Mary agrees to go with him. But what if those mad Irish start throwing bombs at each other again? Desiring to understand the history of the conflicts that have torn this beautiful island for centuries, Mary turns to their friend’s family journals. In 1610, Calum Lanark, refused the hand of his beloved Deirdre, joins the ...

Step into the shadows of Northern Ireland’s most enchanting avenue—the Dark Hedges. This humorous, Game of Thrones-inspired guide blends rich history, local legends, and witty reflections on one of the world’s most photographed roads. Discover how an 18th-century family’s grand vision became a global icon, complete with ghost stories, fan-favorite filming spots, and essential tips for planning your own epic journey. Perfect for Game of Thrones fans, history buffs, and wanderlusters alike, this book offers more than a travel guide—it invites you to become part of a living legend. ...

Men in the furnace of adversity… Step into the extraordinary life of Jake Harper-Ronald, a man whose childhood dream of becoming a soldier led him on an unparalleled journey. In 1966, he fulfilled his ambition as a conscript in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment, only to embark on a series of adventures that most soldiers can only imagine. From early days in the elite Parachute Regiment in the UK to his pivotal role as the official photographer during the infamous 'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland, Jake's path was one of courage and resilience.

The stunning conclusion to The Celtic Cross series. In the aftermath of the hotel bombing where they had gone to lead a peace rally, Mary sits, shattered, in a hospital room beside the broken body of her beloved Gareth. In an effort to distract her and pass the long hours, Philip reads to her from the final episode of his family journals. In 1914, in spite of her family’s skepticism, budding actress Nora Armstrong is thrilled to join the Gaelic Revival movement at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin under the leadership of the indomitable Lady Gregory. Nora loves her new life until everything is ...

Seamus Heaney Explained: Poetry of Place, Irish Identity, Memory, Language, Violence, Nature, History, and the Search for Meaning in a Changing World Discover the life, work, and enduring legacy of one of the most celebrated poets of the twentieth century. Seamus Heaney Explained offers a deeply engaging exploration of Heaney’s major ideas, tracing how his poetry transforms the everyday world of land, labor, and memory into something profound and universal. From his rural upbringing in Northern Ireland to his global influence as a Nobel Prize winning writer, this book reveals how ...