Arming the Protestants: Formation of the Ulster Special Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, 1920-27

Farrell, Michael. Arming the Protestants. The Formation of the Ulster Special Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary 1920-27. London/ Sydney, Pluto Press, 1983. 19.7cm x 12.5cm. vii, 374 pages. Original illustrated softcover. Excellent condition with only very minor signs of wear. From the library of an irish university lecturer and council man. Name of preowner on endpaper. Includes for example the following The Revival of the UVF in 1920/ The Establishment of the Ulster Special Constabulary/ Arming Forces Against Itself/ Peace is Today Declared/ Reassuring Ulster/ Bloodfeuds Which Will Last for Generations/ Indiscreet Speeches/ Terrorising the Commission/ The Structure of Government in Ireland/ Alleged Reprisals in Belfast/ Key Individuals etc. The foundations of a bitter conflict in Northern Ireland. The author examines how the British government armed, financed and legalized Protestant paramilitary groups in Ulster in the 1920s; and how British policies irrevocably turned the Catholic minority against the new Northern Ireland state. This book also examines the policies of the government in Dublin, which began by supplying arms to the IRA, but swung round to accepting and recognizing the partition of Ireland. Farrell is a former leader of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland, who is now a journalist in Dublin. He is the author of the now classic political history of Norther Ireland, 'Northern The Orange State,' published by Pluto.