The First Northern Ireland Peace Process Power-Sharing, Sunningdale and the IRA Ceasefires 1972-76

by Hennessey, Thomas

• ISBN13: 9781137277169
• ISBN10: 1137277165
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2015-10-05
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Using archival sources, including the papers of one of the Provisional IRA's Army Council, The First Northern Ireland Peace Process examines the attempt from 1972-76 to end the 'Troubles'. It also answers why this process failed. With parallels to the later Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments negotiated a power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland and an 'Irish Dimension'. The book examines this administration and also explores the secret talks, brokered by MI6, to persuade the Provisional IRA to end its armed struggle and enter into the political process.

Author Biography

Thomas Hennessey is Professor of Modern British and Irish History at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. His previous publications include The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power (co-authored 2014); Hunger Strike: Mrs Thatcher's Battle with the IRA 1980-1981 (2013); and Britain's Korean War: Cold War Diplomacy, Strategy and Security 1950-53 (2013).

Table of Contents

1. 'Talking to Terrorists': British Government Contacts with the IRA 1972-74
2. Power-Sharing and the Council of Ireland: the Evolution of Irish and British Policy Strategies 1972-73
3. Sunningdale
4. A New Ceasefire: British and Republican Dialogue 1974-75
5. British – IRA Talks 1975-76