Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom (i.e. unionism), support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries.[1] It is a belief most predominant among, and traditionally held by, Protestants in Northern Ireland.
Most loyalist groups seek to maintain Northern Ireland's position within the UK while a minority support Northern Ireland independence.[2] Some have reserved the term loyalist to describe working-class unionists willing to use illegal violence in order to achieve their aims.[3] However, others, such as Garret FitzGerald, argue that loyalism is simply "loyalty to Ulster not to the Union with Britain and it is mis-described as unionism".[4]
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Upon the partition of Ireland in 1921, six of the nine counties in the province of Ulster were excluded from the independent Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland). These counties, four of which had slim Protestant majorities, remained a part of the United Kingdom. Two other Ulster counties also remained part of the UK, despite having Irish nationalist (pro-independence) majorities. Both unionist and nationalist communities have allowed or encouraged sectarianism among Protestants (associated with unionism) and Roman Catholics (associated with nationalism) to further political aims .
The difference of opinion between Northern Ireland's Irish nationalist/Catholic population (which mostly supports Irish reunification) and its Protestant/unionist population (which mostly supports remaining part of the UK) led to a long-running bloody conflict known as The Troubles.
In Great Britain, a number of small far-right parties have and still do express support for loyalist paramilitaries, and loyalism in general. This includes the British National Front (who registered to stand in Northern Ireland) and the British People's Party.
Bigger and more moderate right-wing unionist parties like the Ulster Unionists (UUP) or Democratic Unionists (DUP) have actively sought to distance themselves from loyalist paramilitary activity. However, Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party have been involved with Ulster Resistance and worked alongside loyalist paramilitaries such as the Ulster Defence Association in the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council Strikes and the 1977 Loyalist Association of Workers strike. [5]
In the table below, "operational" refers to the period when the group waged its paramilitary/vigilante campaign.
| Name | Initials | Operational |
|---|---|---|
| Ulster Protestant Association | UPA | 1920–1922 |
| Ulster Protestant Action | UPA | 1956–1966 |
| Ulster Protestant Volunteers | UPV | 1966–1969 |
| Ulster Volunteer Force Red Hand Commando Young Citizen Volunteers |
UVF RHC YCV |
1966–2007 1972–2007 1972–2007 |
| Ulster Defence Association Ulster Freedom Fighters Ulster Young Militants Ulster Defence Force |
UDA UFF UYM UDF |
1971–2007 1972–2007 1974–2007 1985–? |
| Down Orange Welfare | DOW | 1972–? |
| Ulster Resistance | UR | 1986–? |
| Loyalist Volunteer Force | LVF | 1997–2005 |
| Orange Volunteers | OV | 1998– |
| Red Hand Defenders | RHD | 1998– |
| Real Ulster Freedom Fighters | Real UFF | 2007– |
Umbrella groups
Covernames
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