The Thirty Year ‘Troubles’, 1969–1998

The physical-force elements in the Northern Ireland conflict were Irish republican illegal organizations versus illegal loyalist organisations; ranged against both but more often aimed against nationalists were the armed police force, its auxiliaries and the British army. Constitutional elements were the SDLP, representing nationalists, various unionist parties ranging from moderate to extreme, Irish politicians and British secretaries of state. Political reform and reconciliation progressed slowly, and 3,663 people of all ethnicities and origins died before the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 put an end to hostilities. Independent Ireland was characterised by political tension, repression, unemployment, emigration and social activism. Some new, short-lived political parties were formed. Ireland voted to join the EEC in 1973 and became more formally integrated with Europe over the succeeding decades. Women entered the workforce in greater numbers and attained high public visibility, clamouring for social welfare, employment and reproductive rights. Birth control was fully legal by 1990, homosexuality decriminalised in 1993 and divorce legalised in 1995. The late 1990s saw investment in public services, rising employment and falling emigration and immigration. The Catholic church, rocked by sexual scandals and challenged by growing secularism, saw its power wane.