Defying the IRA?

Abstract

more listened to my ramblings about my research or, most importantly, subtly reminded me of other, much more important things in life and I offer my thanks to all.

Survival and Assimilation: Loyalism in the Interwar Irish Free State

“…124 This was also the case elsewhere, as the loyalists who suffered most severely from threat and violence (real or perceived) were those in smaller and more isolated communities. 125 There was no single experience of revolution and secession for Southern Irish loyalists. Some suffered loss, exile, or isolation where others did not, and in that sense one of the challenges encountered in analyses of national indifference is mirrored in the Irish case.…”

“…28 While religion was not necessarily the primary explanation for violence, it did not have to be and remained an important label and identifier within communities. 29 As R. B. McDowell suggested, "there was no declared hostility to protestants on religious grounds. But the protestant was often a unionist where a unionist was a rara avis. "…”

“…108 Remaining out of trouble during the War of Independence offered no guarantees, but could make integration easier afterward. 109 Others suffered as a result of their past careers. One RIC pensioner felt safe enough to return to Castletownbere in West Cork in 1924, but by 1930 complained that "Ex R.I.C.…”

“Prison of the Nations?” Union and Nationality in the United Kingdom, 1870–1925*

“…His work illustrates crisply the kinds of ambiguous, alternate, or sequential loyalties-or, alternatively, survival instincts-which characterized many as the first Irish union came to an end. 56 Such pragmatists made judgments based upon personal or wider economic advantage. More generally, economic growth has clearly helped to underpin pragmatic support for the union between England and Scotland in the eighteenth century.…”