Disclaimer: Just because I present all sides for balance, I need not agree with one or more of those sides. These pages are provided as a service, so you may come to your own informed decision that I'm right and everyone who disagrees with me is wrong. Neutral Information on Ireland and the NorthYes, such a thing exists!Alphabet SoupA guide to acronyms and other specialised terms which surround and saturate discussion of North Irish (and Irish) politics. Brought to you by the Irish Times.Path to Peace Another excellent offering from the Irish Times. Takes patience to navigate, but it's on the whole well worth it.CAIN Sometimes nonpartisan, sometimes bipartisan, but always balanced and informative. The site covers all things North Irish and political from 1968 onward. (I've got to find out, though, whether CAIN is an acronym or an allusion!)ICL Ireland IndexBrought to you by the International Constitutional Law Project of the University of Wuerzberg, the ICL Ireland index is your first stop for Irish law information. Nationalist/Republican Politics Radical Sinn Fein The party which is allegedly the political arm of the IRA. Its name means, depending on your translation, "We ourselves," "We Alone," or "Ourselves Alone." Republican Sinn Fein The party which out-Sinn Feins Sinn Fein in hard-line Republicanism. An Phobhlacht/Republican News Ireland's leading nationalist newspaper. 32-County Sovereignty MovementIt doesn't get more single-mindedly Republican than this. The Movement is led by Bernadette Sands-McKevitt, sister of the late hunger-striker Bobby Sands and wife of Michael McKevitt, alleged leader of the so-called "Real" IRA. This organisation establishes her Republican credentials in her own right. Irish Republican Web Action CommitteeA web-based organisation calling for the release of republican political prisoners and an end to British rule in Ireland. (They are also the source for my Betsy Gray graphic- thanks, guys!) Tiocfaidh Ar LaThe group, which takes its name from the Irish for "Our Day Will Come" (a traditional republican rallying cry), maintains a strong militant presence on the web, as well as a fan magazine for Celtic football. (I do find their graphic a bit unsettling . . .) Somewhat Moderate Social Democratic & Labour Party Led by John Hume, cowinner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, 1998. Unionist/Loyalist Politics Radical Democratic Unionist Party Led by Rev. Ian Paisley, an absolute lunatic (in my opinion). The Grand Orange LodgeAlso on the far side of perfect mental health (which, of course, I'm liable to say about the most virulent of the people with whom I disagree but not the worst of those with whom I agree). Somewhat Moderate Alliance Party The Alliance Party is "committed to the creation of a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society in Northern Ireland" . . . isn't that nice? (Now what?) Progressive Unionist Party The PUP used to be the party of choice for orthodox loyalism, but has since been rejected as "too mainstream." Their page has way too many frames, but is otherwise pretty good. However, they list all the things they don't stand for, but I can't figure out what it is they do support. See if you can do better than I. Ulster Democratic Party Likewise interesting, and slightly more concrete in ideology. Ulster Unionist Party Led by David Trimble, cowinner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, 1998. I often (if not always) disagree with Mr Trimble, but he usually figures out that the right thing can also be politically expedient. Socialist Politics Irish Worker's PartyAn aesthetically attractive, easy-to-navigate page for a very focused, classically socialist party. The Democratic LeftThough this party has been criticised recently for abandoning "the cause," its page reads like a (very useful) reader on the socialist tradition in Ireland. The Socialist Party(Speaking of criticism of the Democratic Left . . .)The aptly- and concisely-named Socialist Party dedicates itself to preserving "the best traditions of James Larkin and Janes Connolly" and protecting the interests of the unemployed and youth as well as workers. The Connolly AssociationNamed for the legendary Irish socialist (and leader of the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising), the Connolly Association is active in the socialist movement. However, it seems to still think that John Major is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. (Huh?) Conservative PoliticsThe National PartyA little party with a big name, the National Party was formed in opposition to "the destitute left wing and liberal orthodoxy that holds sway in Dail Eireann, with terrible human, social and economic consequences." And to think, the Irish government is generally considered centre-right.Muintir na hEireannThis is not, as the page's designer's are so hasty to point out, the Muintir na hEireann which is registered with the Dail. It is instead another ambitiously-named party ("The People of Ireland") which devotes itself to opposing the legalisation of divorce and abortion (one already a fait accompli, the other on its way) and the general downward spiral which they perceive in public morality. They also have a hideously ugly and enormously irritating background graphic, but maybe that's just my perception.Governmental Pages Republic of Ireland Eolas ar Stát na hÉireann The basic government page. Department of the TaoiseachThe office of Prime Minister Ahern. (Direct complaints about the Government here; goodness knows I do. )Fianna Fail This party, whose name means "Warriors of Destiny," is like the American Republican Party. The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern, is a member of Fianna Fail. (I used to have Fianna Fail under Moderate Nationalists, but I started to wonder- what have they done for nationalism lately? Answers may be directed to maevemerry@aol.com.) Progressive DemocratsA member of Ireland's coalition government, the Progressive Democrats can boast of Mary Harney, the current Tanaiste (Deputy PM). Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Office The UK's organ of government in the North. The Northern Ireland Information Service Provided for your information by the Northern Ireland Office.Police Authority for Northern IrelandPretty self-explanatory. This is the name the government came up with when NIPS (Northern Ireland Police Service) was rejected as undignified. This page is almost self-consciously cool and welcoming, cutting-edge and tolerant, savvy and friendly. If you don't get a bit seasick after you've been here, you're a better man than I. Royal Ulster ConstabularyAlso self-explanatory, and well worth a visit. Background MIDI sequenced by Barry Taylor Go back Celtic Compendium Return to the Feast Hall
Neutral Information on Ireland and the North
Yes, such a thing exists!
Alphabet SoupA guide to acronyms and other specialised terms which surround and saturate discussion of North Irish (and Irish) politics. Brought to you by the Irish Times.
Path to Peace Another excellent offering from the Irish Times. Takes patience to navigate, but it's on the whole well worth it.
CAIN Sometimes nonpartisan, sometimes bipartisan, but always balanced and informative. The site covers all things North Irish and political from 1968 onward. (I've got to find out, though, whether CAIN is an acronym or an allusion!)
ICL Ireland IndexBrought to you by the International Constitutional Law Project of the University of Wuerzberg, the ICL Ireland index is your first stop for Irish law information.
The Connolly AssociationNamed for the legendary Irish socialist (and leader of the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising), the Connolly Association is active in the socialist movement. However, it seems to still think that John Major is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. (Huh?)
The National PartyA little party with a big name, the National Party was formed in opposition to "the destitute left wing and liberal orthodoxy that holds sway in Dail Eireann, with terrible human, social and economic consequences." And to think, the Irish government is generally considered centre-right.
Muintir na hEireannThis is not, as the page's designer's are so hasty to point out, the Muintir na hEireann which is registered with the Dail. It is instead another ambitiously-named party ("The People of Ireland") which devotes itself to opposing the legalisation of divorce and abortion (one already a fait accompli, the other on its way) and the general downward spiral which they perceive in public morality. They also have a hideously ugly and enormously irritating background graphic, but maybe that's just my perception.
Governmental Pages Republic of Ireland Eolas ar Stát na hÉireann The basic government page. Department of the TaoiseachThe office of Prime Minister Ahern. (Direct complaints about the Government here; goodness knows I do. )Fianna Fail This party, whose name means "Warriors of Destiny," is like the American Republican Party. The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern, is a member of Fianna Fail. (I used to have Fianna Fail under Moderate Nationalists, but I started to wonder- what have they done for nationalism lately? Answers may be directed to maevemerry@aol.com.) Progressive DemocratsA member of Ireland's coalition government, the Progressive Democrats can boast of Mary Harney, the current Tanaiste (Deputy PM). Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Office The UK's organ of government in the North. The Northern Ireland Information Service Provided for your information by the Northern Ireland Office.Police Authority for Northern IrelandPretty self-explanatory. This is the name the government came up with when NIPS (Northern Ireland Police Service) was rejected as undignified. This page is almost self-consciously cool and welcoming, cutting-edge and tolerant, savvy and friendly. If you don't get a bit seasick after you've been here, you're a better man than I. Royal Ulster ConstabularyAlso self-explanatory, and well worth a visit. Background MIDI sequenced by Barry Taylor Go back Celtic Compendium Return to the Feast Hall
Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Office The UK's organ of government in the North. The Northern Ireland Information Service Provided for your information by the Northern Ireland Office.
Police Authority for Northern IrelandPretty self-explanatory. This is the name the government came up with when NIPS (Northern Ireland Police Service) was rejected as undignified. This page is almost self-consciously cool and welcoming, cutting-edge and tolerant, savvy and friendly. If you don't get a bit seasick after you've been here, you're a better man than I.
Royal Ulster ConstabularyAlso self-explanatory, and well worth a visit.
Go back
Celtic Compendium Return to the Feast Hall
