Republican movement (Ireland)


The republican movement refers to the Irish Republican Army and other political, social and paramilitary organisations and movements associated with it. It can refer to:
The term was in use at least as early as 1957 when the IRA issued a statement denying responsibility for the theft of explosives:
J. Bowyer Bell, in The Secret Army, uses the term throughout to refer to the several organizations associated with the IRA in the 1960s and beyond. For instance, in chapter XVII he says: "But beneath the smooth patina applied by MacGiolla, The Republican movement seethed with bitter faction and the advanced rot of despair." Specifically mentioned in relation to this are Sinn Féin, the Clan in America, the United Irishman and the National Graves Association. Martin Dillon writes the term includes the IRA, Sinn Féin, Na Fianna Éireann, and Cumann na mBan. Dillon and Peter Taylor state the term is used by members of the IRA to avoid making an incriminating statement, since membership of the IRA is illegal. A Sinn Féin 'members course' of around 1979 states: "Sinn Féin is the political section of the Republican Movement". Robert White states in the early 1980s Sinn Fein was the junior partner in the relationship with the IRA, and they were separate organisations despite there being some overlapping membership.