Northern Ireland

A Very Short Introduction, 2nd Edition

By: Marc Mulholland

Narrated by: Roger Clark

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.

His detailed examination of the violent upheaval of the last century, epitomized by the killing of 13 civilian demonstrators on Bloody Sunday, culminates in the controversy surrounding the current ongoing peace process.

Over 300 years on, the question still remains: can two identities and national allegiances be accommodated in the same state without oppression, rebellion, or violence?

©2020 Marc Mulholland (P)2020 Tantor

Great introduction to Northern Ireland

This was a very good intro to the issues in Northern Ireland. I read in conjunction with a trip there and it was useful. I enjoyed the narrator as well. Being that it is fairly short, it moves at a good pace for a group listen and it worked well in the car.

I would also recommend the Audible original Great Courses on the peace process.

Will the USA Experience The Troubles?

I chose this book to gain a basic understanding of the issues that fueled the unrest in Northern Ireland for three decades. I could not help but to hear the similarities between Northern Ireland and the United States of America (USA), but unlike Northern Ireland the USA is not being occupied by a foreign government. This short but informative book covers all the key moments that led up to the Troubles.
There are many similarities between the USA political parties that are becoming more fractious since the 70s, much like the political party clashes between the Irish Unionists and Irish Republican parties. The American Republican Party, elected officials and voters, are nearing a tipping point with more public violence demonstrated from their counter protest clashes and the January 6, 2021 insurrection. I can foresee the USA having their own version of Irish Republican Army made up of the conservatives, extremists, the far-right, and alt-right organizations and those political figures that feed on their fear and hatred to get into and stay in office.
The Irish religious influence in their political parties with Catholics representing the Republican party and Protestants representing the Unionist party is presented conversely in America. American Republican Party supported by the Protestants (Evangelicals and Ultra-Conservative religions) and Democratic Party representative of the Catholics. The secularization that is occurring is fueling strife throughout the United States. Look back to past presidents like Kennedy, Regan, Carter and Bushes, their religion played a key role in their elections and like other presidents, based policy on their beliefs. The decisions made by our presidents (past and future) do not serve all Americans, the only serve those that will keep them in office.
Trouble is coming I fear.