Today's Read Team The Next One Is for You: Unraveling the Irish Conflict and Its American Echoes
By Ali Watkins
Published by Little, Brown, 326 pp., $30
A Historical Perspective on Irish Conflict
The roots of Irish conflict extend back over four centuries. The Ulster Plantation in 1609 set the stage for a protracted struggle, as Protestant settlers from England and Scotland displaced native Catholic Irish residents. The British victory in 1690 over Irish Catholics further entrenched divisions, celebrated annually by Ulster’s unionists.
Modern disputes took shape following the 1921 treaty that concluded the Irish war of independence. This agreement, granting limited autonomy to Ireland while retaining six of Ulster’s nine counties under British control, laid the groundwork for ongoing tensions.
The Troubles and American Involvement
In “The Next One Is for You,” journalist Ali Watkins provides an insightful exploration of the Troubles, a term that belies the intensity of this civil conflict. She describes the 1921 treaty as a “devil’s bargain,” resulting in a civil war that haunted Ireland for decades and spurred many Irish Republican Army (IRA) fighters to seek refuge in the United States.
Ulster’s one-party rule left the Catholic population marginalized, lacking opportunities and resources. Inspired by the American civil rights movement, Catholics began nonviolent protests in 1968 to combat systemic discrimination, which provoked violent retaliations from unionist factions. This unrest led to the formation of the Provisional IRA, which embraced armed resistance against British rule.
NORAID: A Shadowy Support Network
The conflict drew significant interest from Irish Americans, particularly in cities like New York and Philadelphia. As Watkins notes, the influx of IRA personnel to America contributed to the creation of a covert support network among the Irish diaspora, culminating in the establishment of the Irish Northern Aid Committee (NORAID).
NORAID, led by figures like Daniel Duffy and Hughie Breen, positioned itself as a charitable organization aimed at assisting families affected by conflict in Northern Ireland. However, it primarily funneled resources to the IRA, facilitating arms smuggling through sympathetic customs officials and longshoremen. This covert operation saw the IRA acquire significant weaponry, notably the Armalite rifle, marking a significant escalation in the violence.
Bloody Sunday and Rising Tensions
The British Army’s approach shifted significantly following the tragic events of Bloody Sunday in January 1972, when British paratroopers killed 14 unarmed Catholic protesters in Derry. This event intensified public outrage and galvanized support for the IRA.
The growing concern surrounding American contributions to the IRA prompted an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, styled as a cat-and-mouse game with NORAID. Despite the presence of many Irish American agents within law enforcement, a significant undercover operation led to the conviction of NORAID operatives, culminating in its decline by the late 1970s.
Beyond NORAID: The Peace Efforts
While NORAID played a notable role in fundraising within the Irish American community, its overall support was limited. As Watkins emphasizes, despite its enthusiastic backing from a relatively small membership, NORAID’s prominence was overstated compared to the vast Irish American population.
The path to peace was spearheaded by John Hume, a committed advocate for nonviolence whose efforts brought significant American political figures into the fold, creating a coalition that fostered dialogue. By the late 1990s, U.S. President Bill Clinton’s administration facilitated peace negotiations culminating in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Consequences of The Troubles and Future Possibilities
The conflict left a profound mark, with over 3,500 casualties, including many civilians. Watkins reflects on the devastating impact on ordinary lives during the prolonged violence. While a fragile peace currently exists in Northern Ireland, new challenges arise with the UK’s exit from the European Union, sparking renewed discussions about potential reunification.
As Irish poet Seamus Heaney notably remarked, there remains hope that this time, “hope and history rhyme.”
