The Battle of Bogside refers to 3 days of rioting in Derry, Northern Ireland, from August 12 to 14, 1969. These riots pitted the Catholic population of the Bogside district against the RUC. The riots were sparked by a Protestant march near the Bogside: Catholics barricaded themselves in protest against the demonstrators…
It all began on August 12, 1969, when the Apprentices Boys (a Protestant fraternity, member of the Orange Order) decided to organize a march through the streets of Derry. The march brings together more than 15,000 Protestants, and takes place on a route near the Bogside district of Northern Ireland.
Things soon got ugly: the Catholic population of Bogside organized meetings to oppose the Protestant march. In response, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) attempted to intervene in the neighborhood.
It was at this point that things got out of hand: the Catholic population barricaded themselves in the Bogside district, and rallied around the Derry Citizens’ Defence Association. Violence escalated as the RUC (Protestant police) and the B-Specials tried to take control of the neighborhood. At the same time, Loyalists took the opportunity to attack the Catholic population, raiding homes and raping Catholics.
The news soon spread, and other towns in Northern Ireland caught fire and experienced the same riots. Belfast, Armagh and Newry all experienced the same violence.
After 3 days of rioting, James Callaghan decided to call in the army on August 14, 1969. It was led by General Ian Freeland, and stood between the Republican Catholics and the Loyalist Protestants, asking the RUC to withdraw from the conflict.
The arrival of the army pacified the situation and managed to calm the 2 camps. The Catholic population of Bogside was relieved by the arrival of the army: the riots came to an end.
The 3 days of rioting caused significant human and material damage:
The damage cost over £2.5 million.
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