This major work of synthesis presents an up-to-date assessment of the issues at the very root of the troubles in Northern Ireland. Framed against the background of Ulster history since the early seventeenth century, the major factors in the development of the Ulster question since 1945 are examined. These include: - the evolution of Ulster Unionism and the Nationalist and Republican traditions - the role of Britain - the increasingly important part played by external actors, especially the USA Since the outbreak of the present troubles in August 1969, a thriving academic literature on Ulster and its history has emerged. Based on the most authoritative texts, this thoroughly revised and updated edition includes new materials on the period as a whole, and an assessment of the developments since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

This work makes an original and important contribution both to the field of British fascist/extreme Right studies and to the Ulster question. Given that British fascism was a phenomenon of the inter-war period, first making its appearance shortly after the Irish question had been constitutionally settled by the creation of the Irish Free State and the autonomous entity of Northern Ireland, it has been understandable that British historians should focus chiefly on developments in Britain. In the process, however, Northern Ireland as a site of fascist interest and activity has been largely overlooked; yet it engaged the attention of all the significant fascist movements, from Rotha Lintorn-Orman's British Fascists and Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists to the less significant Imperial Fascist League in the inter-war period, Mosley's Union Movement in the post-war period and the National Front and British National Party during the period of the Troubles, together with smaller formations thereafter. In focusing on Northern Ireland, this study provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of British fascist organisations throughout the twentieth century. It also demonstrates that the region was an extremely difficult terrain for those organisations to cultivate, whether they were supportive of nationalism/republicanism or Unionism/loyalism.

A broad-ranging political and social history of the relationship of the British monarchy with Ireland from 1800 to the present. James Loughlin demonstrates how this relationship was shaped by the personalities of individual monarchs and by government policies in Ireland, especially during the nineteenth century when the state sought to quell Irish demands for independence. The study takes account not only of nationalist Ireland, but also of Ulster loyalism; the function of royal ritual and spectacle in engaging Irish popular opinion; and assesses royal allegiance within both the context of Government policies in Ireland and the Irish Viceroyalty, the British monarchy's surrogate presence. The analysis moves through to the present day, examining the monarchy's role in facilitating Anglo-Irish conciliation following the end of violent conflict in Northern Ireland. This comprehensive account makes a significant contribution to the history of Anglo-Irish relations, the monarchy, nationalism, unionism and the politics of identity.

A broad-ranging political and social history of the relationship of the British monarchy with Ireland from 1800 to the present. James Loughlin demonstrates how this relationship was shaped by the personalities of individual monarchs and by government policies in Ireland, especially during the nineteenth century when the state sought to quell Irish demands for independence. The study takes account not only of nationalist Ireland, but also of Ulster loyalism; the function of royal ritual and spectacle in engaging Irish popular opinion; and assesses royal allegiance within both the context of Government policies in Ireland and the Irish Viceroyalty, the British monarchy's surrogate presence. The analysis moves through to the present day, examining the monarchy's role in facilitating Anglo-Irish conciliation following the end of violent conflict in Northern Ireland. This comprehensive account makes a significant contribution to the history of Anglo-Irish relations, the monarchy, nationalism, unionism and the politics of identity.

Since the outbreak of the present troubles in August 1969, a thriving academic literature on the Ulster problem and its history has developed. Based on the most authoritative texts and informed journal and newspaper commentaries, this revised and updated edition includes new materials on the period as a whole, and an assessment of the developments since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.