Armed militias in Ireland

Ireland has unfortunately faced many political conflicts and wars in the past. Regular confrontation with the British, combined with deep-rooted territorial struggles, have given rise to numerous armed groups in the course of Irish history.

Irish armed groups

Between armed conflicts and ideological struggles…

Most of Ireland’s armed militias were born out of a single conflict: that between the Irish and the British. Centuries old, this quarrel has often degenerated into violent clashes, provoking the creation of militias on both sides, such as the Black and Tans (on the English side), or the IRA (on the Irish side)…

Ideologically, the 2 camps have never ceased to oppose each other on the question of Irish and Northern Irish independence…

Although the conflict no longer exists in the Republic of Ireland, some militias are still active in Northern Ireland (sometimes peacefully, sometimes violently). Here’s an overview of the various groups that have left their mark on Irish history, whether or not they’re still active today.