Very British rebels? : the culture and politics of Ulster loyalism

In seeking to unravel the complexities of Northern Ireland, few groups have proved such an enigma as those proclaiming Ulster loyalism as their principal creed and fundamental political motivation. For many observers, their pledge of loyalty to the British state is at best an unrequited love aff air, while the paradox of those asserting to be its most devoted citizens directly challenging the statute, imperative and representatives of the same state remains all but incomprehensible. But confl icts between loyalists and the state are long-standing and have manifested throughout the history of Northern Ireland. Indeed, it is possible to argue that it was loyalist resistance and defi ance that gave rise to the existence of Northern Ireland and contributed directly to the framing of its politics for the next fi ft y years. It remains central to its future political direction. Loyalism has also regularly positioned itself in political opposition to both more mainstream Unionism and the government at Westminster (throughout this book I use Unionism/Unionist to refer to party politics and unionism/unionist when discussing the broader social movement). Nor has loyalist resistance always been restricted to the political sphere or public arena. It is oft en forgotten, for example, that the fi rst member of the state forces killed in the most recent phase of violent confl ict (most commonly, if somewhat euphemistically, referred to as the Troubles) was a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) offi cer shot by loyalists during a riot in October 1969. Much more recent tensions arising in the latter part of 2012 and the early months of 2013 saw Northern Irish society convulsed by a series of widespread demonstrations led onto the streets by loyalists remonstrating at the changed regulations permitting the fl ying of the Union fl ag at Belfast City Hall only on designated occasions rather than on a daily basis. Th e protest rendered parts of Northern Ireland at a standstill as demonstrators blocked major roads, clashed with police and caused widespread disruption to the everyday lives of many. By the early summer of 2013, loyalist street demonstrations over the issue had begun to abate, only to be almost immediately replaced by another very public row and further protests surrounding the annual 12th July parade by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (the Orange Order). Th is time much of the friction centred on the decision by the Parades Commission (the public body responsible for placing restrictions on any parades judged contentious) to ban an Orange Order march in north Belfast returning from the main procession to take a route that passed along an interface with the nationalist Ardoyne area. Loyalists reacted with unconcealed ire, and following another period of sustained street violence, aimed largely at the Police Service of Northern Ireland 1 D. Brown , ' Drumcree loyalists -but loyal to what exactly ?' , Th e Guardian , 5 July 2000 . 2 T. Villiers , ' Loyalists who attack police "grotesque " ' . Challenging traditional narrow views, this text proposes to rethink and reinterpret Ulster loyalism from the beginning of the 'Troubles' to the present day, by tracing its religious, paramilitary, political, and community influences. Challenging traditional narrow views, this unique work proposes to rethink and reinterpret Ulster loyalism from the beginning of the "Troubles" to the present day, by tracing its religious, paramilitary, political, and community influences. The work examines the core values of loyalist communities, the roots of violence, and the shift toward peaceful coexistence with former enemies. Also discussed are the DUP's claims that it represents loyalism's "true voice" along with the complex and varying degrees of commitment to the Crown, the Protestant Faith, and the British governance of Northern Ireland. Lastly, it looks at how cultural expressions of loyalist identity, such as poetry or cartoons, are being used in the (re)construction of a loyalist memory. Written by a leading expert on Ulster loyalism, the work is based on extensive interviews with loyalists and loyalist literature to provide an inside account of the processes of loyalist identity formation and transformation. Drawing on political science, sociology and cultural studies, it will appeal to anyone interested in Irish politics as well as conflict and peace processes "Challenging traditional narrow views, this unique work proposes to rethink and reinterpret Ulster loyalism from the beginning of the "Troubles" to the present day, by tracing its religious, paramilitary, political, and community influences. The work examines the core values of loyalist communities, the roots of violence, and the shift toward peaceful coexistence with former enemies. Also discussed are the DUP's claims that it represents loyalism's "true voice" along with the complex and varying degrees of commitment to the Crown, the Protestant Faith, and the British governance of Northern Ireland. Lastly, it looks at how cultural expressions of loyalist identity, such as poetry or cartoons, are being used in the (re)construction of a loyalist memory. Written by a leading expert on Ulster loyalism, the work is based on extensive interviews with loyalists and loyalist literature to provide an inside account of the processes of loyalist identity formation and transformation. Drawing on political science, sociology and cultural studies, it will appeal to anyone interested in Irish politics as well as conflict and peace processes."-- Provided by publisher Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. Ulster Loyalism, Identity and Belonging 2. Establishing Loyalism and the Unionist State 3. Modernization, Loyalist Reaction and Identity 4. Inside a Loyalist Community 5. Memory, Narratives and Popular Culture 6. Paramilitarism and Commemoration 7. (In)security, (Dis)connection and Culture Wars 8. Ulster Loyalism and Futures Past Bibliography Index