THE ULSTER CONFLICT IN THE PROPAGANDA OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY

Olga Sukhobokova,

Ph. D. (History), Associate Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

Oleh Prelovskyi,

Master’s Student,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.30.11

 

Abstract. Hereby is presented an analysis of the course of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, through the ways of the Irish Republican Army (hereinafter referred to as the IRA) propaganda inside and outside the UK. The study aims to find out the methods and instruments of the IRA’s influence on various countries of the world, not least because of the nature of the conflict being non-international but including multiple attempts to enlist more participants. The techniques of the so-called internalisation of The Troubles are discovered additionally. 

This article covers the essential principles of any political or paramilitary force. It is usually set as the main agenda of any activities to win over certain social groups and engage them on their side, e.g. youth, labourers or members of various unions, minorities, etc. Therefore, the research examined both the methods used by republicans, i.e. supporters of the United Ireland project, and the consequences of The Troubles, which caused different strikes, manifestations, and protests in many European countries. Moreover, this paper proposes a look at those involved from beyond Europe. Furthermore, the study determines the role and significance of cinema as an instrument of soft power. Understanding the meaning and effects of cinematography is quite important as it extends the sphere of influence of propaganda, thus provoking erroneous interpretations of the events in Ulster. 

The methodology of the research is based on a symbiosis of social history and public history, and their approaches, which are fundamentally helpful in creating an unbiased idea of national memory-grounded propaganda. Historicism, which is the main principle of modern historical research, is used as a guiding principle. An integral part of the article is the method of comparative studies.

The scientific novelty is a profound attempt to establish the actions of Ireland as a state and the IRA as its inseparable and integral military as well as political part due to their purpose to discredit the political image of the United Kingdom, which only led to casualties of civilians.

Conclusions. As a result of propaganda, the Ulster conflict went beyond the boundaries of the British-Irish conflict or a regional problem. It is characterized by a combination of several propaganda methods. The main and most effective methods of propaganda were intoxication and half-truths, which, through integration into socio-political discourse and art (cinema), created a certain image of the Irish Republican Army and its opponents, and helped achieve the goal.

Keywords: UK, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Ulster, propaganda, IRA, The Troubles.

 

Submitted 10.01.2025

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