1. Irish Nationalism and Republicanism
Dr. Peter McLoughlin:
School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
Queen’s University Belfast

2. Nationalism/Republicanism and Unionism/LoyalismSF
UUP
SDLP
Republican/Nationalist
Unionist/Loyalist

3. The Father of Irish Nationalism and Republicanism
"To ... break the connection with England, the never failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country – these were my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland ... and to substitute the common name of Irishman, in the place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic, and Dissenter – these were my means."

4. Nationalism in the 19th Century
1798 Rebellion led Britain to bring Ireland into formal Union (1801)
O’Connell’s struggle for Catholic rights under the Union (“Emancipation”) evolved into movement for “Repeal”/“Home Rule”
O’Connell’s movement essentially a Catholic mobilisation
Nationalism still produced Protestant leaders – Young Ireland, Parnell, etc.
But through the course of the century, nationalism became a movement primarily pursuing Catholic interests
Also growing distinction between constitutional, moderate “nationalism” and violent, separatist “republicanism”
Pic YI rebellion , and HR movemetn

5. Cultural Nationalism, Revolution and Partition
“Gaelic Revival” agenda even less appealing than Home Rule to Ulster unionists, despite the leading role of Southern Protestants
Pearse and Easter Rising (1916) further entwine Catholicism with nationalism and revive tradition of republican martyrdom
Ensuing revolution founds independent Irish state, but polarises Irish nationalism and Ulster unionism

6. Cultural Nationalism, Revolution and Partition
Partition (1920-1) splits Irish nationalism and entrenches religious division in Northern Ireland
Catholic Church provided a counterculture to Protestant/Unionist NI and a “state within a state” for northern nationalists
Partition also allowed Southern Irish state to develop as a very Catholic polity
This used as justification for discrimination against nationalist minority in NI

7. Northern Nationalism and the Troubles
NI state’s reaction to civil rights movement (1968+) revives and reinforces traditional division between nationalists:
SDLP formed by civil rights leaders (Aug. 1970);
IRA splits, with Provisional IRA (est. Dec. 1969) becoming dominant force of a reborn republicanism
Events like Bloody Sunday (Jan. 1972) hugely boosted support for PIRA
Failed efforts to reform NI (e.g Sunningdale Agreement, 1973) further undermine SDLP
Conflict and political stalemate continues through 1970s
Pic UWC Strike

8. Change Begins
1981 Hunger Strikes see rebirth of Sinn Féin as republican candidates elected to London and Dublin parliaments
Revives tradition of martyrdom, but begins politicisation of republicanism
Fear that Sinn Féin would overtake SDLP led UK and Irish govts. to sign Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985)
Stalling of Sinn Féin vote (c. 11%; c. 1/3 RCs) led to talks with SDLP (1988)
Hume and Adams continue private talks after 1988, eventually leading to IRA ceasefire (Aug. 1994)

9. The Debate within Irish Nationalism
“[T]o create a truly united country we need a truly united people, not a united piece of earth.” (Hume, 1971)
“It is surely clear that Tone was stating with great clarity that his means or method of breaking the link with England was to unite the people of Ireland first.” (Hume to Adams, 1988)
SF reject Hume’s idea Britain was “neutral” regards NI, but beginning to accept Ulster unionists were the real obstacle to Irish unity
Republicans also drawn towards idea that a peaceful strategy would allow them to work alongside the Irish govt. and Irish-America

10. The Father of Irish Nationalism and Republicanism
"To ... break the connection with England, the never failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country – these were my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland ... and to substitute the common name of Irishman, in the place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic, and Dissenter – these were my means."

11. The Debate within Irish Nationalism
“[T]o create a truly united country we need a truly united people, not a united piece of earth.” (Hume, 1971)
“It is surely clear that Tone was stating with great clarity that his means or method of breaking the link with England was to unite the people of Ireland first.” (Hume to Adams, 1988)
SF reject Hume’s idea Britain was “neutral” regards NI, but beginning to accept Ulster unionists were the real obstacle to Irish unity
Republicans also drawn towards idea that a peaceful strategy would allow them to work alongside the Irish govt. and Irish-America

12. Achieving Peace
Good Friday Agreement (April 1998) receives huge support from nationalists and republicans
GFA essentially a product of SDLP thinking and negotiating efforts – “Sunningdale for slow-learners”
Power-sharing and North-South co-operation long advocated by SDLP as way to reconcile Catholic and Protestant and gradually move towards Irish unity
But Sinn Féin seen as better custodian of the Agreement, and as more dynamic and youthful party, finally overtakes SDLP (2003)
Sinn Féin only achieve dominance by accepting SDLP analysis and approach
“Dissident” republicans still refuse any compromise

13. Summary and Conclusions
GFA saw nationalists/republicans across Ireland accept need for consent for Irish reunification, and recognise unionists’ British identity
Also saw nationalists/republicans accept (re-?)partitioned Ireland, but with fundamentally reformed NI
Partition made permeable – North-South linkages; Dublin’s role as guarantor; recognition of NI nationalists’ Irish identity and right to pursue a united Ireland by constitutional means
Nationalists argue sovereignty and self-determination now vested in people of Ireland rather than Britain
But dissident republicans feel they are continuing Tone’s struggle to “break the connection with England, the never failing source of all our political evils”

14. Summary and Conclusions
Secularisation and Church scandals served to uncouple Catholicism and Irish national identity
Southern Irish nationalism much reconciled with its historic opponent
EU membership also aided British-Irish reconciliation, and along with other effects of globalisation produced “Celtic Tiger” and confident Irish nation of early 21st Century
Process of internationalisation produced a nationalism much changed from the past and revolutionary ideals
But same process brought economic collapse and the terms of the EU-IMF bailout raised serious questions regarding Irish national sovereignty