Hi everyone, here is some additional context for the video and a couple of corrections. Thanks to those who have commented highlighting some of these! - correction on the graphic showing Ulster in the beginning: Ulster is made up of 9 counties, six of which are in what is now Northern Ireland, and 3 of which are in Ireland. The graphic only depicts the border of Northern Ireland. - while there are slightly more people identifying as unionist over republicans in Northern Ireland, Catholics (45.7% of pop) now outnumber protestants (43.5% of pop) - The Provisional IRA was not the only republican paramilitary. In 1969, its predecessor, the IRA, split into two factions; the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA. The group most now think of when they imagine the IRA is the Provisional IRA, which became the most powerful of these groups. The Official IRA later split further, with some members leaving to create the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army). On the unionist side, other than the UVF, notable groups include the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters). The UDA was a kind of umbrella group uniting protestant/unionist paramilitaries. The UFF was likely a cover name for attacks carried out by some members of the UDA. Occasionally there was infighting on each side between these groups. - At its peak, the Provisional IRA had around 10,000 members. UVF membership numbers are harder to find, but were estimated to be several thousand. The UDA claimed to have 40,000 members at its peak in 1972, but only a portion of these were involved with the more violent UFF, which is thought to have had 2,000-4,000 members. - not mentioned at the beginning is the 1916 Easter Rising, which happened while Britain was fighting in WWI. It was the first armed conflict in the lead-up to the war for independence. - at 1.01, I meant to say *provisional* IRA. The IRA as a whole was around since the early 1900s, as mentioned later in the video. - There is evidence that some loyalist attacks were armed and/or allowed by British security forces. Exact numbers on this are, for obvious reasons, difficult to find. If you feel something else deserves a mention, please leave a comment; I will be updating this one.
“There is evidence that some loyalist attacks were armed and/or allowed by British Security Forces”. The deadliest attack of the troubles was the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in May 1974, killing 33 innocent people and injuring close to 300. Some of those involved in this attack were also involved in the Miami Showband attack. The identities of the attackers are widely known. Yes they were loyalists, but they were also serving members of the UDR and, in most cases, paid informants of the BIC and/or the RUC Special Branch. The MoD even named Captain Robert Nairac, a former British soldier who was abducted and killed by the Provo’s, as probably been involved in these killings. Brian Nelson is another name that you should look up. The Glenanne Gang were another outfit that were made up of loyalists and serving UDR soldiers and RUC officers. Weapons from UDR and RUC arsenals somehow disappeared only to end up been used in loyalist attacks against innocent Catholics. The British Government continue to hide behind “National Security” whenever FOI requests are made for documents on many of the atrocities committed by all factions involved in the conflict - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces. The Dublin/Monaghan bombings, the Miami Showband massacre, these happened in ‘74 and ‘75. Many of the perpetrators are long dead. How is any of this a current risk to National Security?
This post alone shows us that u are trying to be as factual, balanced and as fair as possible when discussing the topic. If you want a full appreciation of this centuries old conflict I would suggest you read as many different accounts from as many perspectives as possible. My personal recommendation would be a book called 'Northern Ireland The Orange State' by Michael Farrell. It's an old book (1976) so there is plenty that isn't in it but as to the foundation of the statelet of NI I would say there are few that would rival it in its detail and wealth of information. Told from an Irish Republican Socialist perspective, its a must read if you want to balance out the usual British narrative. We are all well ingratiated with the 'official' British take on the subject which to be perfectly honest is riddled with inaccuracies, serious omissions and outright lies, primarily when it comes to the British states central role in the conflict so I could suggest a number of books written by people who were born here and would hold a directly opposing view to that of Britain and the unionists in Ireland. So fair play mate, great effort at explaining the truth of what happened between our two nations for far too long.
The interviews were surreal. On one hand you have a man that had enough of being oppressed and did what he did out of retaliation for the peaceful options ending in violence every time conducted by the opposing forces, and on the other you had a man who got roped into it because he was caught in the crossfire and watched as people around him died with the fear of "am I next?" billowing overhead every day. All this because a handful of old hags in a big building decided "we want your dirt."
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus
It's strange why people never mention the Loyalist bombs and only ever seem to mention the IRA. In the McGurk's Bar Bombing alone, there were 15 people murdered, more than Bloody Friday, in one bombing. Conway;s Bar was also bombed. The Dublin And Monaghan Bombing was the worst day of The Troubles, with 33 people murdered, apparently carried-out by the UVF and MI5.
@@DunkopfMight have something to do with the fact that there were many more republican bombs killing many more people, since they had a ready supply of gelignite and ammonium nitrate from the Republic.
You don’t really hear about darkley when the inla went into a church and killed people while they prayed but sure you look at with you’re green tinted glasses
As an Irish person who grew up close to the border in the 70's and 80's, this has to be one of the best and even handed accounts I have seen, skilfully portraying the views from both sides of the conflict. This is an important piece of work.
Not gonna lie, I thought this was a reuploaded BBC documentary for the first ten minutes, you have a serious talent my man. Probably one of the best videos I've seen on the topic.
As a Strabán & Belfast lad born in ‘69, I agree 100%. They take the time to explain this wasn’t a religious war, as it’s often portrayed. Catholic meant native Irish/Gael (or Gaelisized Normans) and Protestant meant British colonizers who tried to fully ethnically cleanse the North, stole the land, and unlike the Cambro-Normans/“Old English” who we accepted accepted as Irish for embracing our culture and intermarrying - just as the remaining Vikings did - bc it was never about who ethnic purity, it was about Ireland being Irish and maintains an ancient culture. The English tried to erase all of it. Religion, language and all customs and turn us British. While he didn’t get into all that, for a short documentary, he hit enough important points that are often neglected by others who describe the conflict as a religious, Irish civil war.
My grandparents first child was the 18 month old baby killed in the balmoral showroom bombing. His name was Colin. My grandparents carried the grief and trauma with them throughout their whole lives and my grandas main focus and goal was to get justice for Colin. He never got that justice. Every letter he wrote was replied with a we can’t help you. He died nearly 2 years ago but he never found peace with what he went through during the troubles. My granny is still alive but she can’t talk about it, she’s still very traumatised.
Unfortunately many people went to their graves without ever getting justice for their loved ones who were murdered during the troubles by republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces. Go dtuga sé suaimhneas dó. 🙏
God bless you and may God God hold and keep baby Colin in the palm of his hand. May perpetual light shine upon him and his Grandda. God bless you and yours. 26+6=1 ♾️
What a powerful documentary. It really shows the human side of things. The two men you interviewed are telling their stories from their own perspectives, and I really feel sympathy for both of them.
Except one of them is on the right side of history, and another one isn't. Just because some time has passed, conquest, subjugation and ethnic cleansing does not become acceptable. Freedom and self-determination for a United Ireland 🇮🇪
Bro as a Belfast man and technically a protestant but who thought was quiet well versed on our history dam you wouldn't even get this in school let alone years of research in the topic, absolutely brilliant mate thanks i enjoyed this 👍
The only gripe I would have is that he started this in the 11th century, where England started colonising. This misses out the previous couple of hundred years of Irish pillaging and slave raids into England - which is what sets the back drop for England entering Ireland. It also misses out the Irish colonisation of Scotland in the same period.
@@thebookwormhotel5336 The Norse-Gaels were most prominent at its peak in the 11th century and that is also when England first made incursions into Ireland but the trade had been going for at least several centuries prior to this period and certainly prior to the Viking raids.
@@aggfdtygggtddfy3841 You would best looking at the Annals of Ulster, Annals of Inisfallen, The Táin Bó Cúailnge, The Historia Brittonum and The Confessions of St Patrick (detailing his personal capture by Irish pirates in England in the 5th century). There are plenty more but these should set you in good stead. Also, my apologies for the late reply and I wish you all the best with your studies.
As someone who was raised by parents from eastern Germany/eastern Berlin it is striking to see the parallels and deeply saddening to see a major European city being divided by walls emplaced by (foreign) politicians, the very fresh generational trauma of divided countries, the discrimination (...). A very insightful documentary.
Belfast is a small city.....but Irish history is depressing.... maybe not as depressing as 20th centery German history but still sad and although Germany has moved on, Ireland will never move on
@@jackietreehorn5561 Ireland's history is more depressing than modern German history. They were treated as subhumans by the English, who did the same with the Scottish and Welsh. Even today, there are anglos who believe themselves superior to the Irish, Welsh, Cornish and Scottish. This by far more violent than any modern conflict, specially because we can't exactly make up the number of how many Irishmen died in all these centuries of Anglo occupation. And the Irish don't need any special law to remember it, unlike the Jews.
there is a pretty big difference though Berlin was cut in half politically (and eventually economically) while this city was cut in half socially aka the citizens themselves tried to kill each other, instead of the government keeping them apart (until they had too)
@@CalacaRoja I grew up there in the north in the 80s and 90s....depressing definitely. Everyone benefitted enormously from the gfa no doubt and place is unrecognizable now. Long may it reign.....the third Reich in Germany in my opinion was much more horrific.... subhuman treatment only scratched the surface....look what Dr death done as experiments on captives... pretty gruesome stuff
In Derry the owner of the largest furniture shop in the city and the deputy postmaster general couldn't get mortgages to buy a house simple because they were catholics and they both ended up staying put in their council houses. A lot of people forget how fresh the memories of the troubles are. My uncle was a knights of malalta medic on bloody sunday and my da was the head altar boy at the mass funeral. My grandfather was picked up off the street when he was drunk walking home, beaten up in the back of an army truck and dumped out while it was moving. Their home phone was tapped because their surname was mcguinness. My uncle was hit by a rubber bullet in the leg when he was 13 and he still has a limp because of it. I'm glad that I was born just as the troubles were ending and thankfully im the first generation of my family to not have felt the compulsion to join an armed movement since the 1890s.
@@dreamteami.l5253 "forced" lol shutup mate we forced the local natives out by actual force, there was never many of them on the foyle side to begin with, just the fountain.
I understand your point about being glad that you were born after the Civil War ☯️ But honestly if none of the problems are solved and they still are Not then there’s no reason it can’t just all happen and start all over again 🤷♂️ (I don’t say the troubles because that’s obviously a name the British gave it to sugarcoat it)
Costa Rican here. Have always been in love with Ireland. Visited twice. I’m merely halfway through the video as I write this, but already I feel the huge urge to thank you. I have been digging through many video essays like this trying to understand the Troubles, and this is the first of countless videos I’ve seen that I feel explain them masterfully.
Costa Rica is a fake free state. You've allowed the tyrants to disarm you. You need to ask permission to protect your family. You refuse to learn from history. You citizens call yourself a democracy, but your constitution says you're a fucking Republic. If you don't have the right to protect your rights, you have no rights. Youre a slave at the whim of tyranny of every color. Animal, or human. "My country is safe we don't need to protect ourselves" your violent homicide rate is 3 times higher than the United states. And we have fuckin millions of firearms. We have 400 million fucking firearms. Your schools check children's backpacks, but that's useless because the people checking backpacks aren't armed. If you try to mail clothes to your family from another country, your corrupt customs office intercepts the package and it's never delivered. You don't even have the right to HUNT. What the fuck?????????nobody needs to hear from a dumb ass Costa Rican. Democracy is for pigs. Ask the Romans and Greeks. Your constitution is weak. You don't have public information. Your freedom is fake.
I am English and living near Birmingham and always find the Irish people whether protestant or catholic to be the wittiest and warmest of all nations bar none. They are a great people 👍🇬🇧🇨🇮
I really think that it's kind of beautiful that that woman's main issue with the peace wall was that it blocks too much natural light. For all the political and religious strife that the peace wall might symbolise, her main issue with the wall was completely detached from that. It shows (or I hope it shows) how far the people of Northern Ireland have come since a time of violence and suffering. For a bit of context, I from the Republic of Ireland myself, but with family from the North.
As someone born and brought up in Northern Ireland now living in England I want to thank you for this well balanced documentary. Hope your trip is going well.
Thanks so much for the feedback, it's great to hear this from someone who grew up there. The trip is finished now but it was a crazy ride! Several more videos from it to come 😁
I had done a project on the troubles in high school, but thank you so much for finding these two men who actually lived through this conflict on two different sides and getting their personal stories and histories
This is genuinely an amazing interview, it’s not biased whatsoever. I was looking for a revision video for my JC history exam and this was very helpful. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
As a Northern Ireland veteran, I think your documentary is very well done, I was based in Ballykelly for two and a half years, and I have to say I met people from both sides who were absolutely lovely. They called it the troubles because they didn't want to call it a war even though we had trenches, which you don't get in troubles. Northern Ireland is a beautiful place and looking over the border is the same for the Republic of Ireland, one day I hope to return on a holiday with my wife. I have friends from both sides of the border they a wonderful people who get on very well with each other.
Like I said in your other video, these videos really have the atmosphere of proper, old school documentaries. And the OC footage is so much better than some bland animations or stock footage.
To the author, thank you for making and sharing this video. You cannot please everyone, however, in your production, I suspect you will please most. Well done and thank you.
Thank you for telling the story from more than one perspective. For centuries the English have exploited & oppressed the Irish, as well as the Scottish, Welsh, and the many many other territories & colonies.✊🇮🇪🇮🇪
Important to remember that the colonisation only started after the prior raiding of England by the Irish Gaels in the early medieval period (St Patrick was after all an Englishman who was taken as a slave by the Gaels). The same thing goes for Scotland and Wales, who had also been raiding England until Edward Longshanks mounted a full military resistance and got the upper hand. It did not happen within a vacuum.
@@14Anon2 ok you obviously have not done your own research and probably attended school in the UK. First off the Gaelic are not the same tribe as the Limerick Vikings & Cork Vikings, let alone the many many Scandinavian factions of Vikings. Those Viking raids did NOT predate Roman occupied Briton. The earliest raids do not go back any earlier than the 5th century (400AD). The height of Viking raids occurred during the 9th century (800AD). ...Secondly, "St. Patrick" was actually Roman and his name was Maewyn Succat. He was sent to Ireland as a missionary in the 4th century (300AD) to convert the Pagan Island to Christianity with books AND swords (armed soldiers), hence the old saying that he "chased the *snakes* out of Ireland..." Meaning he either converted pagans or had them put to the sword (old/ancient texts use many metaphors in their language). Snake Bracelets were worn by many factions/Variations of Pagans (later during the Renaissance this snake eating it's own tail was a symbol of Infinity and alchemy). Getting back on track though, after Maewyn Succat and his thugs caused so much discord in so many villages, he was finally taken hostage by those who refused to bend their knee to his objective in what world currently be translated as being "arrested," and made his people pay "restitution" for the damage he caused. You might call this "a ransom," I call it "Give me back what you have taken and get the F••• out of my Country!"
"Ouroboros" was the name much later coined during the renaissance for the symbol of the snake Bracelets and other jewelry made from precious metals of the time. This is how the symbol evolved from Pagan Beliefs to Alchemy or what some refer to as "the dark arts." ... Much of history is written far after the events took place and for the most part the more powerful sides perspective adjusts history to make themselves look better and is often even completely fabricated. For example the history of the "Cold War" will read much differently in the US than it will in Russia. ... So the big question is what business did Briton have in Ireland in the first place? More so, why has the United Kingdom continue to opress Ireland to this day? Why did Queen Victoria send back all ships containing donations exceeding her pathetic $30k worth of frickin BIBLES during the "The Great Famine" in Ireland aka "The potato Blight.?" Why is it not told in history books that the Ottoman Empire & India attempted to give the equivalent of millions in Euros of food, supplies, and currency, in comparison to The Royal Crowns worthless Bibles? If the British Aristocracy & Noble Landlords of the all the farms in Ireland cared, why did Queen Victoria say that "The *only* chance the Irish have at surviving the famine is to pray to god for forgiveness for their vile sinful ways..?" And why did the Lords call the Irish farmers and laborers "the N•••• of Caucasians." Why did the Parliament pass legislation that sentenced "Irish farmers to death by hanging from the neck until dead, if caught eating successful & healthy crops intended for export to England..?" ... You can *not* gaslight the people of Ireland for the actions of your leadership, and the fact that you try makes you no better than them.
@@14Anon2 and even Edward Longshanks son Edward the 2nd tried to kill his own father after he exiled Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwall to France. Ed Jr.'s wife Isabella couldn't get pregnant because Eddy "fancied" his bffs Gaveston & Hugh Despenser more than his beautiful wife. So what does he do as soon as his domineering father dies? He calls for Perry by sending a ship to pick him up, so they can rule side by side while his wife twiddles her thumbs. Good for her though she wasn't having that BS, and did him in. She was tougher and stronger than him and his father. The House of Normandy was Imperialist. However after that, the House of the Plantagenets were a corrupt mess that started the Feudal System on Irish Plantations. This is what eventually led to the much more brutal conflicts.
Well if you are open to more than one perspective then you will also know that The Plantation was the idea of a couple of Scottish landowners who approached the King of England, James IV who was Scottish. And the settlers were predominantly Scottish.
I wanted to make a joke about how the IRA is now compared to how it was back in the day but I was not expecting this documentary to be so powerful and moving. This is seriously one of the best edited and produced indie docs I have ever witnessed in my time.
As someone born in the 90s I've been in dire need of a documentary that covers this and explains just what/why/how things got to the point of the bombings etc, and have fallen short until now. Thanks for making this
Agreed. All we were taught was IRA was equal to what the Taliban is. Just another terrorist group. We weren't taught about the unjust taking of the land by Britian. The guy was correct. When people invade your land, you should have a right to defend against them. Britain is no better than what Russia is doing to Ukraine right now.
I was born in the 1960s, and I had never found a thorough explanation for the conflict until now. I remember hearing about “Marching Season” on the radio in the 1990s, but it was difficult to find resources in Midwest US that sufficiently explained why the Irish were killing each other.
As someone who is not from the region, I've always heard about this conflict but I felt like nobody ever really gave me the full picture. I think I finally understand it, or at least as much as a foreigner can understand it.
As a Irish person who has friends who live in Northern Ireland I would like to thank you for making this video I feel that videos like these about not just the history of Ireland but the history of Northern Ireland are more important than ever especially now because of the chaos of Briexit I live in county Louth which is in the Eastern part of Ireland which isn't too far from Newry so I hope that peace in Northern Ireland will continue for the future.
@@aadamkhan5217 Most of my Northern Ireland friends are very neutral on the whole Unionist Vs Nationalist bullshit they told me that they find it stupid and a complete waste of time the only party they vote for is the Alliance Party because the Alliance Party doesn't care if you are a Unionist or a Nationalist they just want to make people's lives better.
@@citysightswalk6361 Yes indeed and I know that the people of Northern Ireland are sick and tried of the Dup and SF and the whole Irish sea border bull shit
Just got back from NI studying the Troubles about a month ago. I actually had the same privilege to talk to Michael about the IRA and his experience. He was part of a panel that included him, a former UVF man, and a former British Soldier. Your coverage of this topic that goes back to the Plantation of Ulster is top notch work and I've been so excited for this video.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it! That's great, how long were you there for? I found it really eye-opening to visit, so much I should have known beforehand, but it hardly ever gets talked about over in Britain. Michael did mention he'd taken part in panels like that. It is great to see so much emphasis on discussion and dialogue in Northern Ireland nowadays.
@@biggerteddybearsyes pat finucane a solisitor shot in his family home in front of his wife and kids by loyalist gun men with British state collusion another horrific tragedy that happened on both sides
@affiliateukelele yeah I mean nothing justifies doing that. It's just good that those involved in the violence have, for the most part, committed to the peace process and are engaging in dialogue instead of armed campaigns. There are other conflicts elsewhere in the world where that is still a very long way off.
as a half Irish half English catholic, thank you very much for this. My mums family (Irish) are republicans and it's very interesting to hear from the Unionists as this is not a side I hear very often. Very balanced and non-biased way to talk about the troubles for someone who only knows one side of the story
This was absolutely incredible. I dedicated an entire research project on "The Troubles" back in highschool and its really great to see someone make a documentary that is so level headed and presents both sides of the war in detail. Its not something we are taught about in the US, most knowledge boiling down to "British bad" or "IRA bad".
Thanks for the kind words! In the UK we're not really taught about it either which is kind of crazy. So making this video was also very eye-opening for me personally.
@@TieranFreedman If Britain taught their own people the truth about their 'glorious Empire' and the 'Glorious Actions of Our Redcoats and Bluejackets' - there would be a revolution amongst their own people.
And you still don't or won't know half of it, no matter how seemingly well put together or researched a documentary is. It's funny that how in the 70's an 80's, IRA and Taliban were the good guys to you Americans. Now they're all tarred with the same brush = terrorist. The British establishment here in the north of Ireland banned the image and voice of elected Republican (our republicans are not the same as your politics, BTW) politicians on TV by blacking them out and dubbing over their voice. Imagine being an Irish nationalist and not being allowed to see or hear the people that represent you politically. That is what the British were doing in Ireland as recently as the 80's and most people either don't know this or forget it. Today, this would be seen as a gross civil and human rights abuse and censorship in the same way your government looks at places like North Korea and China.
This really is an exceptional piece of journalism. Brilliant betrayal of the conflict in my personal opinion, just want to thank you for all your efforts. For an English man you hit the nail on the head!
Wow, what a concise and informative video. I'm from Dublin myself but my Mam grew up in Belfast so I have lots of family there. I hadn't been up in about 6 year until last year and I took a black taxi tour, would highly recommend ANYONE to take this tour. Was highly informative and tbh, most of it probably didn't stick in my mind, it was just so crammed with info. Such is the life of a sheltered Dublin boy in peacetimes. Loved that you got an interview with men from both sides, and tbh as someone who dreams of a united Ireland (brits out), being reminded of all the bloodshed caused by the IRA is something i needed to see. brits out
As a young person growing up in Northern Ireland, thank you for exploring both sides without any bias. Sick of learning about history just for it to be boiled down to 'Britian bad' or 'Ireland bad' without even discussing both sides of the fighting ❤
Yeah but Britain are bad lmao. People that say people fighting a war for their independence are bad are insane. The British caused many genocides across the world, including in Ireland. Don't give me this both side bull shit. And the northern guy has bought into propaganda. He said it would be worse then Afghanistan or Iraq if they united. He ant serious. Plus he killed civilians the other guy is convicted for killing soldiers. The north killed way more civilians then the south. Try to think next time.
My Asian country was also colonised by the English until 1946 so I feel more sympathetic towards the Irish. I have an equal amount of Irish and English friends here in Austria but I am much closer to the Irish. Their struggle for independence from the English resonates with me. Northern Ireland still being subjugated to England is a crime that has been forgotten for decades in my opinion.
God i hate centrist and the statue quo rider , like idk how there even a semblance of moral symetrie here , like an occupier vs occupied , like how there is any nuance here
@@negrevallsette2980this. For me the case is also crystal clear. Ireland belongs to the Irish. Every other British colony has gained full independence, except for the Irish.
American here, but your documentary is well made, offering perspective from both sides of the conflict, offering history and context to the conflict. Well done!
Very solid work here, serious effort went into the research, live action footage and the interviews. Speaking as an Irishman, this is very in depth work beyond the efforts of some big broadcasting companies.
@@TieranFreedman You start with the Plantation, but you need to go back further. As far back as Cromwell, to fully understand the degree of ethnic cleansing perpetrated on our ancestors, by the Brits.
@@toker6664 yes the British were the terrorists, Chichester, mountjoy, burning crops to cause starvation, one of your queens said I sent to wolves to Ireland instead of shepherds
@@gege4707 From northern england and scotland. But scotland has been in northern ireland for ages with robert the bruce invading there and the stuart plantations. Plenty of non scottish protestant names. Church of ireland anglicans are almost as many as presbyterians. The guys name is the english hutchinson.
Remember that the people in Scotland are mainly descended from people who lived in the North of Ireland. The Scotti people went to Northern Britain and drove out/killed the native Picts. Many Scots who came over during the Plantation were returning to their native roots.
I'm from the Republic, and I have seen so many crap documentaries about the war in the North that I gave up watching them. Yours is the one and only really good impartial look at both sides, and I commend you for it. It's real documentary making. I hope some day for a united Ireland that Unionists wouldn't hate to live in.
Current polling has a United Ireland by the people of Northern Ireland at 30% and the people of Republic of Ireland at 67% support. However when asked the people of Republic of Ireland to change their flag, anthem, join the commonwealth, pay more taxes and set a block of seats for Unionists in the Dail then the majority said no. A United Ireland is a long way off if ever.
@@plugsocket9432 never going to happen. If a border poll is called, it will be rejected in NI. A Referendum in Ireland would probably be rejected too if the flag, anthem et al are properly considered by the electorate. I would not support it.
What an incredible documentary this was. You did a phenomenal job explaining this to someone who had only the barest awareness of this conflict and your documentarian skills (what you chose to highlight and how) are fantastic.
Tge Irish Americans gave billions to tge ura until Reagan tried to stop it to appease the witch 59 % welsh 59% Scot’s always had a safe house for the freedom fighters That’s why we stand for Palestine F?..the 👑👑👑👑🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🤮🤮❤️🔥🤮👑👑👑👑👑👑😱😱😱👑👑
To think after experiencing a crippling famine (it wasn’t a famine as food was taken from us) that this is the shite generations had to put up with.. fuck the British government
It's important to know history, especially one's own. But because history repeats itself regardless of place, learning what happened elsewhere helps to reflect on other countries as well. Great interview and explanation
Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.. to paraphrase George Santayana. Sad part is that revisionist history is being taught in schools today.
This is a really quite good documentary. There are a few "Problems" with it but its fine cuz its mainly because its such a complex topic a few things have just been simplified to complexity and time sake. And on another note, the comment section is surprisingly calm and level headed, i was expecting to see war between IRA and Unionist LARPers, but to my surprise its genuinely quite calm which just proves how good this video was. 🙏 God bless you bro
It would have been good to start off with the prior Gael military and slave raids of early medieval England that led to the colonisation under the Normans and maybe the Gael colonisation of Scotland during this same period but aside from that, it's very well done.
As an English born son of a Catholic Irish-American mother & CofE English father the futility and waste of this entire conflict if heartbreaking. One of the greatest moment of my life was to see Martin McGuinness & Ian Paisley shaking hands. Never let it slip back to where it was.
Very good documentary I have to say, adding in the interviews when others simply just read and recite information from books and the internet makes it far more unique than other documentaries on the subject. Obviously slight few errors but nothing that break the video or take away from the overall message, which is the most important. Really enjoyed it! The only two gripes I have with it really is that 1. The beginning of the "troubles" and the start of the "conflict" part of it is a slight bit more complicated. While yes there were initially civil rights movements for equality in education, housing, employment, voting etc..., there was growing sentiment in the Unionist community that these were a 'cover' for an actual United Ireland movement, which as Michael pointed out, was not the case but simply looking for equality. When some of these marches were then opposed and then turned to violence, that's when the British army were brought in to basically protect the people who were marching but then it turned out that the army actually didn't do that well of a job and often were also violent towards the people and so the IRA was 'reformed' if you want to put it that way in order to protect the people and then of course, the UVF and others were 'reformed' in order to protect Unionist communities from the IRA and then it escalated. 2. is something that is rarely discussed in these types of videos but is quite important relating to how British security forces often colluded and worked together with Loyalist paramilitary forces in order to kill Catholics, often not having anything to do with the conflict. Through various investigations, it has been found that British security forces gave information to Loyalist groups of the whereabouts of certain people and often armed those groups in order to carry out these murders. Obviously I will admit bias on this subject but I think that relaying that some people were killed by groups with the help of their own government forces who are there to protect them from such atrocities shows that there was confirmed collusion which shows that while it can be called an ethnic conflict between two sides with differing identities, it had elements of it that were sponsored and supported by the government itself. The government and security forces would condemn Loyalist forces for killing people whilst quietly supporting them with information and weapons. Now while the vast majority of this collusion between security forces and paramilitaries was between RUC / British Army and others with Loyalist forces, it would be remiss to not include examples of confirmed collusion between Gardaí (Irish Police) and Republican forces also, often looking the other way, leniency etc... and also the obvious funding and arming of Republican forces by the Irish government. This collusion and often aiding by governments and security forces also gives credence to Michael's argument that the Troubles nickname belittles the importance and the actual gravity of the situation in the north rather than this simple, localised, petty argument. But besides those two, which as a person who has studied the conflict in great detail, I really enjoyed it. I usually watch these and cringe or go into it not expecting much but genuinely, really impressed. I hope you do more on related topics in the same vein!
Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your thoughts, glad you enjoyed the video! Fair criticisms, I actually had an original cut that mentioned collusion, but I felt weird mentioning it so briefly without properly going into detail on it. I have since added a pinned comment that does just that ironically haha. Interesting point about the civil rights movement. I didn't know that. Definitely hoping to go back some day for another visit because it feels like there's a mountain of stuff still to learn. For a first-time visit though I found it incredibly eye-opening. In regards to future videos like this one, my channel follows me as I cycle around different parts of the world documenting stories along the way. So each one is different, but if you enjoyed this one, you might be interested in the one about a Welsh nationalist group that bombed a dam in Wales the 1960s (you can find it on my channel).
Point #2 is some BS. What you call "collusion" didn't go after "Catholics often not having anything to do with the conflict". It was British Intelligence handing Loyalist gangs actionable intelligence on legit IRA operatives who were then targeted by the Loyalists. The reason Republicans whine about the practice so much was because of one reason - results. It was one of the main reasons the IRA was finally forced to the negotiating table because they knew "the gloves were off" and that despite of their very insular command structure British Intelligence was damn good at identifying members of IRA Active Service Units and Loyalists were damn good at taking them out. Same thing goes for the whining about the "shoot to kill" orders.
Someone born and raised in derry, this document was fair and balanced on 1 aspect which was the irish people both catholic and protestants feelings, absolutely 1st class and very honest, part 2 should cover "the dirty war" the war the British said was catholic make believe, but now its being exposed in recent years, documents and documarties being brought out by independent journalists and tv crews which shows how much the British security services prolonged and kept this war going for longer than it should have ever went on, with the help of both Ira, uda, uvf, special branch, fru(military intelligence) all working for British intelligence.
Having been to both north and south, I noticed one thing: People. They all have lives and are more than just a "controversial topic" the lads in the south took me drifting. The north took me to a gig. Either way you on the emerald aisle are fantastic people. I love all of you and wish you peace
This video genuinely brought me to tears watching. A lot of videos on the troubles are either heavily biased or very badly made but you done this justice. Thank you
Great video. As an American, it's really hard to understand the conflict and history here, but you've done a really great job making it easier to understand. Thanks!
For real! I’m from Los Angeles and we are very segragated without walls. But the parallels are the same none the less, a lot of this comes down to old politics not being able to merge with today’s living standards. We all want something different and we don’t want to share that privilege!
@@projectc.j.j3310 whatever that even means. Anyways we are comparing it to our modern struggles we aren’t comparing history with history. Would you like to add anything meaningful?💀
Excellent, concise documentary, thank you. I'm from Finland, so I'm pretty far away from the subject but close enough to have always been intrigued by it. I've tried to figure out why there was a long, bloody war in such a civilized country. It still sounds like a really difficult situation, but your documentary helped in putting a lot of it into perspective.
Finland was occupied by Russia as well & i believe - correct me if I am wrong - there was also a civil war in Finland following that. Far away yes - but not that different
@@dearbhal Well, Finland was occupied by Russia between 1809 - 1917. And yes, there was a civil war in 1918. I understand your point, but in my mind these are totally different scenarios. The conflict in Northern Ireland has been going on for decades now, and it's still brewing. I guess it's somehow comparable to the situation in the Balkans.
As an American born in the late 90s I grew up hearing of the troubles of Ireland. Never have I heard as good of coverage…Even got a college degree (history) and have a passion for history, yet this is the best comprehensive video essay on this subject. Thank you!
Old Billy's main concern regarding a united Ireland is his fear that a nationalist majority would treat loyalist communities in the same manner that the loyalists persecuted nationalists, a main contributing factor to the NI civil rights movement and the Troubles. I'd dare say a United Éire would be a lot more welcoming of our loyalist neighbours than they'd like you to believe
the only difference between the persecutors and the persecuted is power... very often the persecuted turn things around and do unto others what has been done unto them... its not just propaganda its basic human nature...
We're so far removed from this that if a united Ireland happens in the next 10/20 years there would hardly be persecution of "loyalism", SF the main nationalist party tried to get a loyalist assigned to the Seanad in the 26 counties only one side currently doesn't want to work with the other and it's the loyalists @@jerichostevens2711
@@jerichostevens2711 Which is why leaders who was able to overcome that great problem are the greatest leaders not only to their country but also for the world.
Fantastic insight for those of us that are uneducated on this unbelievable period of history. Very well made. I'm just starting out on my UA-cam journey and this content and format gives me great motivation.
This is a really well made documentary. Unbelievable its made by a lad with 11k subscribers. You've earned yourself another one and I can't wait to see all the rest of your projects on this channel.
yea west brit fine gael traitors , shocking they have the balls to use the word Gael when alot of them arent actually gaelic but norman and anglo irish , absolutely the worst politcal party in the whole of ireland , i would vote DUP before fine gael , at least DUP have the honesty to say they are british
True, but only to an extent. What was the IRA during the War of Independence split, and the Pro-Treaty side became the Free State Army. The Irregulars (Anti-Treaty) maintained the use of the name IRA.
As a Native American/Indigenous American person, I will forever support the people and country of Ireland. They have done so much for our kinship, and vice versa. Great to learn this history, as I never knew this before. Smudge up for those lives lost 🪶💨💕
I was orphaned in America from Irish parents that suffered the troubles. The Brits always treated me as a 3rd class person in the British Isles & the US. The Native peoples were always the ones to treat me as an equal. Thankyou. My children are 1/2 native, for I want them to know where I came from.
@@wodens-hitman1552 Or the fact that the colonisation only happened in response to the Gael military raids of early medieval England - which was conveniently left out in this video by starting the story at the 11th century.
The Troubles wasnt a religious conflict, it was an ethnic conflict. Religion was simply one way of identifying yourself to an ethnic group, native Irish or decendant of the (mostly Scottish) British colonists. The idea that the Troubles is just about thick Paddies killing each other over religion (instead of its actual origins as a civil rights movement) was invented by the British government to avoid admitting that the conflict was a direct result of British imperialism. That narrative still exists, clearly, which is fucking insulting.
I think that is the more accurate distinction, because there were protestant nationalists and catholic unionists. Sure they were a minority however to paint it as sectarian violence would imply that such nuances wouldn't exist.
They really plastered that narrative everywhere, reducing the horrible suffering of so many people down to a surface level conflict. It is despicable and as you said, insulting.
I recall as a teenager thinking how crazy and glorious it was that in 1993 Zombie gave me a glimpse into the Troubles and then, just like that, it was over and the Accords were signed. We didn't know much about NI in Brazil but we knew it was an incredibly bitter conflict. I hope it remains firmly planted in the past only
Dobry dokument, obiektywny. Jestem polakiem/brytyjczykiem, który mieszkał wiele lat w Belfascie i miał przyjaciół po obu stronach barykady. Życzę pokoju Północnej Irlandii i jej ludziom.
Holy crap! I just looked and you apparently only have 12k subs? This is an absolutely insane amount of quality and hard work put into a very professional documentary! Instant sub from me, your work is amazing and I see nothing but greatness from you in the future!
This was a very fascinating and well-made documentary. I plan on doing something similar and this is a great crash course. The writing, the structure, the visuals, etc. Simple and effective. Thanks for your time!
If the UK government left it would have been a Balkan bloodbath, unlike the Northern Ireland government their was no anti Presbyterian or church of Ireland laws in the South, it was 1 man 1 vote in the South unlike Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland was a state built on fear and keeping Catholics out of politics and jobs, the UK government fought to keep Northern Ireland government policies in place
@@christhomas4260 in Ireland we don't lock you up for life just for a little bit of murder and what Irish man has not had murder in his heart but some are just pussies that don't do it
Its telling that the IRA pro Irish unity guy killed members of British armed forces whist the pro union UVF guy who supported the crown and its forces murdered 2 Catholics walking to work for just sectarian reasons. There have been IRA men who've been Protestant but the same is not true of Loyalist paramilitaries who are very sectarian which is the end result of 100's of years of discrimination against Catholics.
@@biggerteddybears everyone involved in the conflict murdered - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces. They all have the blood of innocent people on their hands.
You don't have to apologise for anything it's some of the ignorant British cunts glamorizing their barbaric actions of the past it's those pricks I have a problem with Brits like you are good people
No one come for me or get mad at me but I’m here because I watched derry girls on Netflix n wanted to learn more of what happened in northern Ireland cause I don’t think it was ever talked about when I was in school at least from what I remember 😬❤️☺️
One thing you said...the 98 referendum was not a vote for national sovereignity on either side it was a vote for the terms exclusively outlined in the gfa dor both to accept and a catalyst for power sharing
As someone who is quite interested in Irish history (with my great grandmother being Irish and coming over from there), I have read a fair bit on the Troubles and seen a solid number of videos on the subject, but this is the best of the lot. I am quite impressed with your work.
The people who are originals to the lands. Colonialism is the evil that does not stop destroying the world. Just keep ya grubby hands off land that belongs to others. Respect inhabitants of lands with their histories and cultures. No, the world is not some treasure chest for the powerful to loot. Well I guess I lose that battle and war. Very distressing the evil of humanity.
@@zapfilms No one is original to their lands. Everywhere has been colonised over and over, except the Rift valley. So where do you want to draw a line? Should all the Americans leave the US and leave it to the native Indians? The Unionists have been in Ireland longer that the US existed, they have been there there over 300 years. Are you saying they have no rights?
@@Gravadlax-ki7rhNo, the Unionists do not have the right to support a violent colonialist genocidal monarchy any more than the Germans had the 'right' to support H*tler. They do have the right to continue living where they are, fully equal to Irishmen in the eyes of the law, in an undivided Irish state, which has been the goal of the IRA from the beginning. It is only because the Unionists view the Irish as Untermenschen that they cannot stomach the thought of being equal and sharing political power with them, which is why they pretend it is some great violation of their civil liberties.
32 years old American and this is first time a video I seen that actually ever said "why they fought" it was usually UK bad, "Irish drunk rebales" catholic vs protestant but it was was because of housing and not having vote
Catholics had housing. Where did you think they lived, under bridges? They also had the vote, as long as they owned a house, same as protestants. All Catholic housing estates like Ballymurphy and Twinbrook were brand new when the troubles broke out. These houses had bathrooms and gardens while protestants living on the Skankill Road had neither. Catholics lied and the leftist media reported the lies as fact.. The
That was a fantastic documentary, thanks so much! I'm loving your travel ones as well, as I've followed a similar route the other year, so it's interesting to follow your trip.🌞
Thank you. I wonder why my large, deeply Catholic multi-generational family never mentioned this in front of us kids in the 60's & 70's. I hope they wanted peace... ✌️❤🇨🇮
My dad did 3 tours of northern ireland and it still haunts him to this day...A terrible time for all irish people and those who were called to serve in northern ireland on behalf of the british government. I feel for all who endured this conflict and i wish all the irish people lasting peace!!!
And it should haunt him for the rest of his days. Some within the British Army acted disgracefully and committed heinous crimes against innocent people. All who were active during the troubles - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces - have the blood of innocent people on their hands.
@@kamacassieYTdid I say that? Are you unable to read the written English word? Did I not say that ALL who were active have the blood of innocent people on their hands? Bless. No cure for stupidity my friend, but don’t give up as you might attain an acceptable level of stupidity.
I find it really difficult to not side with the Republicans here. The Irish have been subjected to inhumane treatment at the hands of the English for hundreds of years, from the potato famine to the events this video goes over.
Hi everyone, here is some additional context for the video and a couple of corrections. Thanks to those who have commented highlighting some of these!
- correction on the graphic showing Ulster in the beginning: Ulster is made up of 9 counties, six of which are in what is now Northern Ireland, and 3 of which are in Ireland. The graphic only depicts the border of Northern Ireland.
- while there are slightly more people identifying as unionist over republicans in Northern Ireland, Catholics (45.7% of pop) now outnumber protestants (43.5% of pop)
- The Provisional IRA was not the only republican paramilitary. In 1969, its predecessor, the IRA, split into two factions; the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA. The group most now think of when they imagine the IRA is the Provisional IRA, which became the most powerful of these groups. The Official IRA later split further, with some members leaving to create the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army). On the unionist side, other than the UVF, notable groups include the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters). The UDA was a kind of umbrella group uniting protestant/unionist paramilitaries. The UFF was likely a cover name for attacks carried out by some members of the UDA. Occasionally there was infighting on each side between these groups.
- At its peak, the Provisional IRA had around 10,000 members. UVF membership numbers are harder to find, but were estimated to be several thousand. The UDA claimed to have 40,000 members at its peak in 1972, but only a portion of these were involved with the more violent UFF, which is thought to have had 2,000-4,000 members.
- not mentioned at the beginning is the 1916 Easter Rising, which happened while Britain was fighting in WWI. It was the first armed conflict in the lead-up to the war for independence.
- at 1.01, I meant to say *provisional* IRA. The IRA as a whole was around since the early 1900s, as mentioned later in the video.
- There is evidence that some loyalist attacks were armed and/or allowed by British security forces. Exact numbers on this are, for obvious reasons, difficult to find.
If you feel something else deserves a mention, please leave a comment; I will be updating this one.
“There is evidence that some loyalist attacks were armed and/or allowed by British Security Forces”.
The deadliest attack of the troubles was the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in May 1974, killing 33 innocent people and injuring close to 300. Some of those involved in this attack were also involved in the Miami Showband attack.
The identities of the attackers are widely known. Yes they were loyalists, but they were also serving members of the UDR and, in most cases, paid informants of the BIC and/or the RUC Special Branch. The MoD even named Captain Robert Nairac, a former British soldier who was abducted and killed by the Provo’s, as probably been involved in these killings.
Brian Nelson is another name that you should look up. The Glenanne Gang were another outfit that were made up of loyalists and serving UDR soldiers and RUC officers. Weapons from UDR and RUC arsenals somehow disappeared only to end up been used in loyalist attacks against innocent Catholics.
The British Government continue to hide behind “National Security” whenever FOI requests are made for documents on many of the atrocities committed by all factions involved in the conflict - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces. The Dublin/Monaghan bombings, the Miami Showband massacre, these happened in ‘74 and ‘75. Many of the perpetrators are long dead. How is any of this a current risk to National Security?
@@arthurgoodness7865 all involved signed off on the good Friday agreement. Let it go. Always some people bleating on. Leave it and move on.
@@biggerteddybears not all involved signed off on the Belfast Agreement and not all paramilitary groups decommissioned their weapons.
@arthurgoodness7865 if not they should all be hunted down and put through the justice system
This post alone shows us that u are trying to be as factual, balanced and as fair as possible when discussing the topic.
If you want a full appreciation of this centuries old conflict I would suggest you read as many different accounts from as many perspectives as possible.
My personal recommendation would be a book called 'Northern Ireland The Orange State' by Michael Farrell.
It's an old book (1976) so there is plenty that isn't in it but as to the foundation of the statelet of NI I would say there are few that would rival it in its detail and wealth of information.
Told from an Irish Republican Socialist perspective, its a must read if you want to balance out the usual British narrative.
We are all well ingratiated with the 'official' British take on the subject which to be perfectly honest is riddled with inaccuracies, serious omissions and outright lies, primarily when it comes to the British states central role in the conflict so I could suggest a number of books written by people who were born here and would hold a directly opposing view to that of Britain and the unionists in Ireland.
So fair play mate, great effort at explaining the truth of what happened between our two nations for far too long.
From someone who is from Belfast and my own father murdered in the troubles by loyalists thank you for covering this. Love live the peace process.
Sorry for your loss, lad. May be rest in peace.
Long Live Freedom 🇮🇪✊ Don’t let such a big sacrifice in your family be in vain ☯️ Take care bro
God bless your father 🇮🇪 RIP.
sorry for your loss may your father rest in peace, i had an uncle who was in the police force blew up in newry by the IRA
@@MsDboyyAnd my police officer uncle and his son was murdered by the PIRA but nobody bats an eye...
The interviews were surreal. On one hand you have a man that had enough of being oppressed and did what he did out of retaliation for the peaceful options ending in violence every time conducted by the opposing forces, and on the other you had a man who got roped into it because he was caught in the crossfire and watched as people around him died with the fear of "am I next?" billowing overhead every day. All this because a handful of old hags in a big building decided "we want your dirt."
Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven
There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
Come to Jesus Christ today
Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus
@@DuSlothster I think he's refering to the original colonial politicians who decided to invade Ireland
@@DuSlothster I was referring to the initial invasion group that wanted said dirt.
Same story across all current and British colonies.
The British were evil as hell.
@TekkyWolf that's every country in the world throughout history. Doesn't make it right or good or just. It just is
It's strange why people never mention the Loyalist bombs and only ever seem to mention the IRA. In the McGurk's Bar Bombing alone, there were 15 people murdered, more than Bloody Friday, in one bombing. Conway;s Bar was also bombed. The Dublin And Monaghan Bombing was the worst day of The Troubles, with 33 people murdered, apparently carried-out by the UVF and MI5.
That's because of the good ol British bais. You don't tend to hear much of British crimes in other territories either
The loyalist paramilitaries killed more loyalists and civilians than the IRA and INLA combined.
The Ira scum started the war and also killed more innocent catholics than the 2 loyalist groups combined
@@DunkopfMight have something to do with the fact that there were many more republican bombs killing many more people, since they had a ready supply of gelignite and ammonium nitrate from the Republic.
You don’t really hear about darkley when the inla went into a church and killed people while they prayed but sure you look at with you’re green tinted glasses
As an Irish person who grew up close to the border in the 70's and 80's, this has to be one of the best and even handed accounts I have seen, skilfully portraying the views from both sides of the conflict. This is an important piece of work.
Agreed!
That’s great I’m Jamaican American very interested in this topic and support u guys fully. U all r strong ppl!
Not gonna lie, I thought this was a reuploaded BBC documentary for the first ten minutes, you have a serious talent my man. Probably one of the best videos I've seen on the topic.
Wow, thanks for the kind words, so glad you enjoyed the video!
I also fought so. So similar to that style.
As a Strabán & Belfast lad born in ‘69, I agree 100%. They take the time to explain this wasn’t a religious war, as it’s often portrayed. Catholic meant native Irish/Gael (or Gaelisized Normans) and Protestant meant British colonizers who tried to fully ethnically cleanse the North, stole the land, and unlike the Cambro-Normans/“Old English” who we accepted accepted as Irish for embracing our culture and intermarrying - just as the remaining Vikings did - bc it was never about who ethnic purity, it was about Ireland being Irish and maintains an ancient culture. The English tried to erase all of it. Religion, language and all customs and turn us British. While he didn’t get into all that, for a short documentary, he hit enough important points that are often neglected by others who describe the conflict as a religious, Irish civil war.
My grandparents first child was the 18 month old baby killed in the balmoral showroom bombing. His name was Colin. My grandparents carried the grief and trauma with them throughout their whole lives and my grandas main focus and goal was to get justice for Colin. He never got that justice. Every letter he wrote was replied with a we can’t help you. He died nearly 2 years ago but he never found peace with what he went through during the troubles. My granny is still alive but she can’t talk about it, she’s still very traumatised.
Unfortunately many people went to their graves without ever getting justice for their loved ones who were murdered during the troubles by republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces.
Go dtuga sé suaimhneas dó. 🙏
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I offer my condolences to you and to your family. May he find eternal respite in Heaven.
God bless you and may God God hold and keep baby Colin in the palm of his hand. May perpetual light shine upon him and his Grandda. God bless you and yours. 26+6=1 ♾️
RIP I can believe people support this terrorist group
& humanity never seems to learn from these horrific atrocities. The world is still going to war, to profit a few, power hungry psychopaths.
What a powerful documentary. It really shows the human side of things. The two men you interviewed are telling their stories from their own perspectives, and I really feel sympathy for both of them.
Except one of them is on the right side of history, and another one isn't. Just because some time has passed, conquest, subjugation and ethnic cleansing does not become acceptable. Freedom and self-determination for a United Ireland 🇮🇪
@@daod8286indeed 🇮🇪
Lmao. Bro one sucked the boot of his oppressor because his brain was melted by conservative nationalism
Your right the IRA were nothing but terrorists, time doesn't change that.
They need to be armed. Peaceful reunification is not an option
Bro as a Belfast man and technically a protestant but who thought was quiet well versed on our history dam you wouldn't even get this in school let alone years of research in the topic, absolutely brilliant mate thanks i enjoyed this 👍
The only gripe I would have is that he started this in the 11th century, where England started colonising. This misses out the previous couple of hundred years of Irish pillaging and slave raids into England - which is what sets the back drop for England entering Ireland. It also misses out the Irish colonisation of Scotland in the same period.
Coul you provide some literature for that? I'm doing an essay on British-Irish interactions during history for university @14Anon2
@@14Anon2 are you talking about the vikings ?
@@thebookwormhotel5336 The Norse-Gaels were most prominent at its peak in the 11th century and that is also when England first made incursions into Ireland but the trade had been going for at least several centuries prior to this period and certainly prior to the Viking raids.
@@aggfdtygggtddfy3841 You would best looking at the Annals of Ulster, Annals of Inisfallen, The Táin Bó Cúailnge, The Historia Brittonum and The Confessions of St Patrick (detailing his personal capture by Irish pirates in England in the 5th century).
There are plenty more but these should set you in good stead. Also, my apologies for the late reply and I wish you all the best with your studies.
As someone who was raised by parents from eastern Germany/eastern Berlin it is striking to see the parallels and deeply saddening to see a major European city being divided by walls emplaced by (foreign) politicians, the very fresh generational trauma of divided countries, the discrimination (...). A very insightful documentary.
Belfast is a small city.....but Irish history is depressing.... maybe not as depressing as 20th centery German history but still sad and although Germany has moved on, Ireland will never move on
Yes. I don't suppose there are many EU citizens aware of a physical wall still segregating a European city. It's very sad.
@@jackietreehorn5561 Ireland's history is more depressing than modern German history. They were treated as subhumans by the English, who did the same with the Scottish and Welsh. Even today, there are anglos who believe themselves superior to the Irish, Welsh, Cornish and Scottish. This by far more violent than any modern conflict, specially because we can't exactly make up the number of how many Irishmen died in all these centuries of Anglo occupation. And the Irish don't need any special law to remember it, unlike the Jews.
there is a pretty big difference though Berlin was cut in half politically (and eventually economically) while this city was cut in half socially aka the citizens themselves tried to kill each other, instead of the government keeping them apart (until they had too)
@@CalacaRoja I grew up there in the north in the 80s and 90s....depressing definitely. Everyone benefitted enormously from the gfa no doubt and place is unrecognizable now. Long may it reign.....the third Reich in Germany in my opinion was much more horrific.... subhuman treatment only scratched the surface....look what Dr death done as experiments on captives... pretty gruesome stuff
In Derry the owner of the largest furniture shop in the city and the deputy postmaster general couldn't get mortgages to buy a house simple because they were catholics and they both ended up staying put in their council houses. A lot of people forget how fresh the memories of the troubles are. My uncle was a knights of malalta medic on bloody sunday and my da was the head altar boy at the mass funeral. My grandfather was picked up off the street when he was drunk walking home, beaten up in the back of an army truck and dumped out while it was moving. Their home phone was tapped because their surname was mcguinness. My uncle was hit by a rubber bullet in the leg when he was 13 and he still has a limp because of it.
I'm glad that I was born just as the troubles were ending and thankfully im the first generation of my family to not have felt the compulsion to join an armed movement since the 1890s.
Londonderry also seen the greatest forced movement of people since the second world war. Not many protestants left on the other side of the bridge.
@@dreamteami.l5253 "forced" lol shutup mate we forced the local natives out by actual force, there was never many of them on the foyle side to begin with, just the fountain.
where's Londonderry? Never heard of that place @@dreamteami.l5253
I understand your point about being glad that you were born after the Civil War ☯️ But honestly if none of the problems are solved and they still are Not then there’s no reason it can’t just all happen and start all over again 🤷♂️ (I don’t say the troubles because that’s obviously a name the British gave it to sugarcoat it)
@@MsDboyy Problems haven't been solved and Northern Ireland is becoming more polarised.
Costa Rican here. Have always been in love with Ireland. Visited twice. I’m merely halfway through the video as I write this, but already I feel the huge urge to thank you. I have been digging through many video essays like this trying to understand the Troubles, and this is the first of countless videos I’ve seen that I feel explain them masterfully.
Belfast. Man living in Canada in a long term relationship with a latina we appreciate you u all
@@johnpearce9891 cheers to that, you and Belfast! In awe of your beautiful country ❤️
Costa Rica is a fake free state. You've allowed the tyrants to disarm you. You need to ask permission to protect your family. You refuse to learn from history. You citizens call yourself a democracy, but your constitution says you're a fucking Republic. If you don't have the right to protect your rights, you have no rights. Youre a slave at the whim of tyranny of every color. Animal, or human. "My country is safe we don't need to protect ourselves" your violent homicide rate is 3 times higher than the United states. And we have fuckin millions of firearms. We have 400 million fucking firearms. Your schools check children's backpacks, but that's useless because the people checking backpacks aren't armed. If you try to mail clothes to your family from another country, your corrupt customs office intercepts the package and it's never delivered. You don't even have the right to HUNT. What the fuck?????????nobody needs to hear from a dumb ass Costa Rican. Democracy is for pigs. Ask the Romans and Greeks. Your constitution is weak. You don't have public information. Your freedom is fake.
I am English and living near Birmingham and always find the Irish people whether protestant or catholic to be the wittiest and warmest of all nations bar none. They are a great people 👍🇬🇧🇨🇮
the English invaded Ireland and I'm English
yet your kind opressed us for centuries
@@matheusdesouzasilva9320 bloody hell it wasn't me
@@lorrainearmitage4331 us rational Irish folks know that dont mind him he's an ass
"What is it like having a Peace Line in your back garden?"
"It darkens the house down terribly"
Absolutely perfect summation of Belfast. No notes.
I really think that it's kind of beautiful that that woman's main issue with the peace wall was that it blocks too much natural light. For all the political and religious strife that the peace wall might symbolise, her main issue with the wall was completely detached from that.
It shows (or I hope it shows) how far the people of Northern Ireland have come since a time of violence and suffering.
For a bit of context, I from the Republic of Ireland myself, but with family from the North.
As someone born and brought up in Northern Ireland now living in England I want to thank you for this well balanced documentary. Hope your trip is going well.
Thanks so much for the feedback, it's great to hear this from someone who grew up there. The trip is finished now but it was a crazy ride! Several more videos from it to come 😁
@@TieranFreedman looking forward to the last couple of videos
Do you think a bomb at a maternity ward killing women and babies is a proud IRA fighting the black and tans?
what the acid one
@@sj_boydaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasassssasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
I had done a project on the troubles in high school, but thank you so much for finding these two men who actually lived through this conflict on two different sides and getting their personal stories and histories
This is genuinely an amazing interview, it’s not biased whatsoever. I was looking for a revision video for my JC history exam and this was very helpful. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
As a Northern Ireland veteran, I think your documentary is very well done, I was based in Ballykelly for two and a half years, and I have to say I met people from both sides who were absolutely lovely. They called it the troubles because they didn't want to call it a war even though we had trenches, which you don't get in troubles. Northern Ireland is a beautiful place and looking over the border is the same for the Republic of Ireland, one day I hope to return on a holiday with my wife. I have friends from both sides of the border they a wonderful people who get on very well with each other.
Same with us in Scotland and the Jacobite Wars being called “rebellions”, they were full on wars, but the English never want to admit that
@@ZombieSazza I totally agree
What?.., nobody was based over here for two and a half years.., away and give yourself a shake mate.
@@formhubfar Welsh Guards April 1992 to August 1994 in Ballykelly
@@mikegriffiths4300 My apologies mate, thought you meant during the troubles.
"What nationality are you?"
"Well, I'm English."
That was the most intense fraction of a second ever.
The way the IRA guy leaned back folded his legs and change of demeanour was pretty intense
Not English a colonial thug it’s empire disintegrating
Indeed @@bighoose
That old Ira fellow had the look. Seen some s. Done some s.
@briandavey1139 3 generations stillready if sunak wants to put the royal parasitic army into Ulster
Like I said in your other video, these videos really have the atmosphere of proper, old school documentaries. And the OC footage is so much better than some bland animations or stock footage.
Thanks so much, makes my day to read feedback like this! 😁
To the author, thank you for making and sharing this video. You cannot please everyone, however, in your production, I suspect you will please most. Well done and thank you.
@@TieranFreedman tiernan do you agree with killing women and children in maternity wards?
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
@@TieranFreedman so no answer?
Thank you for telling the story from more than one perspective. For centuries the English have exploited & oppressed the Irish, as well as the Scottish, Welsh, and the many many other territories & colonies.✊🇮🇪🇮🇪
Important to remember that the colonisation only started after the prior raiding of England by the Irish Gaels in the early medieval period (St Patrick was after all an Englishman who was taken as a slave by the Gaels). The same thing goes for Scotland and Wales, who had also been raiding England until Edward Longshanks mounted a full military resistance and got the upper hand. It did not happen within a vacuum.
@@14Anon2 ok you obviously have not done your own research and probably attended school in the UK. First off the Gaelic are not the same tribe as the Limerick Vikings & Cork Vikings, let alone the many many Scandinavian factions of Vikings. Those Viking raids did NOT predate Roman occupied Briton. The earliest raids do not go back any earlier than the 5th century (400AD). The height of Viking raids occurred during the 9th century (800AD).
...Secondly, "St. Patrick" was actually Roman and his name was Maewyn Succat. He was sent to Ireland as a missionary in the 4th century (300AD) to convert the Pagan Island to Christianity with books AND swords (armed soldiers), hence the old saying that he "chased the *snakes* out of Ireland..." Meaning he either converted pagans or had them put to the sword (old/ancient texts use many metaphors in their language). Snake Bracelets were worn by many factions/Variations of Pagans (later during the Renaissance this snake eating it's own tail was a symbol of Infinity and alchemy). Getting back on track though, after Maewyn Succat and his thugs caused so much discord in so many villages, he was finally taken hostage by those who refused to bend their knee to his objective in what world currently be translated as being "arrested," and made his people pay "restitution" for the damage he caused. You might call this "a ransom," I call it "Give me back what you have taken and get the F••• out of my Country!"
"Ouroboros" was the name much later coined during the renaissance for the symbol of the snake Bracelets and other jewelry made from precious metals of the time. This is how the symbol evolved from Pagan Beliefs to Alchemy or what some refer to as "the dark arts."
... Much of history is written far after the events took place and for the most part the more powerful sides perspective adjusts history to make themselves look better and is often even completely fabricated. For example the history of the "Cold War" will read much differently in the US than it will in Russia.
... So the big question is what business did Briton have in Ireland in the first place? More so, why has the United Kingdom continue to opress Ireland to this day? Why did Queen Victoria send back all ships containing donations exceeding her pathetic $30k worth of frickin BIBLES during the "The Great Famine" in Ireland aka "The potato Blight.?" Why is it not told in history books that the Ottoman Empire & India attempted to give the equivalent of millions in Euros of food, supplies, and currency, in comparison to The Royal Crowns worthless Bibles? If the British Aristocracy & Noble Landlords of the all the farms in Ireland cared, why did Queen Victoria say that "The *only* chance the Irish have at surviving the famine is to pray to god for forgiveness for their vile sinful ways..?" And why did the Lords call the Irish farmers and laborers "the N•••• of Caucasians." Why did the Parliament pass legislation that sentenced "Irish farmers to death by hanging from the neck until dead, if caught eating successful & healthy crops intended for export to England..?"
... You can *not* gaslight the people of Ireland for the actions of your leadership, and the fact that you try makes you no better than them.
@@14Anon2 and even Edward Longshanks son Edward the 2nd tried to kill his own father after he exiled Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwall to France. Ed Jr.'s wife Isabella couldn't get pregnant because Eddy "fancied" his bffs Gaveston & Hugh Despenser more than his beautiful wife. So what does he do as soon as his domineering father dies? He calls for Perry by sending a ship to pick him up, so they can rule side by side while his wife twiddles her thumbs. Good for her though she wasn't having that BS, and did him in. She was tougher and stronger than him and his father. The House of Normandy was Imperialist. However after that, the House of the Plantagenets were a corrupt mess that started the Feudal System on Irish Plantations. This is what eventually led to the much more brutal conflicts.
Well if you are open to more than one perspective then you will also know that The Plantation was the idea of a couple of Scottish landowners who approached the King of England, James IV who was Scottish. And the settlers were predominantly Scottish.
I wanted to make a joke about how the IRA is now compared to how it was back in the day but I was not expecting this documentary to be so powerful and moving. This is seriously one of the best edited and produced indie docs I have ever witnessed in my time.
The joke is you thinking you have enough concept of the subject to make a joke. Guessin that’s why you just ended up trying to be cute.
@@mrkingjesse378Prick
@@mrkingjesse378calm down lad it’s not that serious
@@mrkingjesse378nice one embarrassing yourself in a public comment section for anyone on the internet to see. weirdo.
@@mrkingjesse378christs sake calm the fuck down
As someone born in the 90s I've been in dire need of a documentary that covers this and explains just what/why/how things got to the point of the bombings etc, and have fallen short until now. Thanks for making this
Between The Troubles of Ireland, The Years of Lead in Italy, and how other parts of Europe were (The Cold War) it’s a wonder Europe was stable
Agreed. All we were taught was IRA was equal to what the Taliban is. Just another terrorist group. We weren't taught about the unjust taking of the land by Britian. The guy was correct. When people invade your land, you should have a right to defend against them. Britain is no better than what Russia is doing to Ukraine right now.
This is nothing. Read on the evils of England.
@@sawtooth808 the iron curtain
I was born in the 1960s, and I had never found a thorough explanation for the conflict until now. I remember hearing about “Marching Season” on the radio in the 1990s, but it was difficult to find resources in Midwest US that sufficiently explained why the Irish were killing each other.
As someone who is not from the region, I've always heard about this conflict but I felt like nobody ever really gave me the full picture. I think I finally understand it, or at least as much as a foreigner can understand it.
Wait, you did this whole documentary by yourself? Hats off my man.
As a Irish person who has friends who live in Northern Ireland I would like to thank you for making this video I feel that videos like these about not just the history of Ireland but the history of Northern Ireland are more important than ever especially now because of the chaos of Briexit I live in county Louth which is in the Eastern part of Ireland which isn't too far from Newry so I hope that peace in Northern Ireland will continue for the future.
Why would you be friends with a Northern Irish person?
@@aadamkhan5217 Most of my Northern Ireland friends are very neutral on the whole Unionist Vs Nationalist bullshit they told me that they find it stupid and a complete waste of time the only party they vote for is the Alliance Party because the Alliance Party doesn't care if you are a Unionist or a Nationalist they just want to make people's lives better.
@@Touhou-forever I don't see how it's possible to be truly "neutral" given that implies you're for the status quo and thus, pro UK.
@@Touhou-forever yes well said if makes no difference between apple cider and grapes 👍
@@citysightswalk6361 Yes indeed and I know that the people of Northern Ireland are sick and tried of the Dup and SF and the whole Irish sea border bull shit
Just got back from NI studying the Troubles about a month ago. I actually had the same privilege to talk to Michael about the IRA and his experience. He was part of a panel that included him, a former UVF man, and a former British Soldier. Your coverage of this topic that goes back to the Plantation of Ulster is top notch work and I've been so excited for this video.
Correct.....for hundreds of years the people have been divided
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it! That's great, how long were you there for?
I found it really eye-opening to visit, so much I should have known beforehand, but it hardly ever gets talked about over in Britain.
Michael did mention he'd taken part in panels like that. It is great to see so much emphasis on discussion and dialogue in Northern Ireland nowadays.
Taking a father's life in front of his wife and child. Lovely....
@@biggerteddybearsyes pat finucane a solisitor shot in his family home in front of his wife and kids by loyalist gun men with British state collusion another horrific tragedy that happened on both sides
@affiliateukelele yeah I mean nothing justifies doing that. It's just good that those involved in the violence have, for the most part, committed to the peace process and are engaging in dialogue instead of armed campaigns. There are other conflicts elsewhere in the world where that is still a very long way off.
as a half Irish half English catholic, thank you very much for this. My mums family (Irish) are republicans and it's very interesting to hear from the Unionists as this is not a side I hear very often. Very balanced and non-biased way to talk about the troubles for someone who only knows one side of the story
WOW, interesting documentary!!! Thank you so much.
PS. Could we have one of those “Peace Walls” to be erected all around California? :)
This documentary has to be presented at cinema festivals. Absolutely amazing, very well narrated and explained. Brillant. ❤
This was absolutely incredible. I dedicated an entire research project on "The Troubles" back in highschool and its really great to see someone make a documentary that is so level headed and presents both sides of the war in detail. Its not something we are taught about in the US, most knowledge boiling down to "British bad" or "IRA bad".
Thanks for the kind words! In the UK we're not really taught about it either which is kind of crazy. So making this video was also very eye-opening for me personally.
English journalist called Peter Taylor is one of the most important impartial life long commentators on the Irish conflict
@@TieranFreedman If Britain taught their own people the truth about their 'glorious Empire' and the 'Glorious Actions of Our Redcoats and Bluejackets' - there would be a revolution amongst their own people.
British bad indeed though
And you still don't or won't know half of it, no matter how seemingly well put together or researched a documentary is. It's funny that how in the 70's an 80's, IRA and Taliban were the good guys to you Americans. Now they're all tarred with the same brush = terrorist. The British establishment here in the north of Ireland banned the image and voice of elected Republican (our republicans are not the same as your politics, BTW) politicians on TV by blacking them out and dubbing over their voice. Imagine being an Irish nationalist and not being allowed to see or hear the people that represent you politically. That is what the British were doing in Ireland as recently as the 80's and most people either don't know this or forget it. Today, this would be seen as a gross civil and human rights abuse and censorship in the same way your government looks at places like North Korea and China.
This really is an exceptional piece of journalism. Brilliant betrayal of the conflict in my personal opinion, just want to thank you for all your efforts. For an English man you hit the nail on the head!
Wow, what a concise and informative video. I'm from Dublin myself but my Mam grew up in Belfast so I have lots of family there. I hadn't been up in about 6 year until last year and I took a black taxi tour, would highly recommend ANYONE to take this tour. Was highly informative and tbh, most of it probably didn't stick in my mind, it was just so crammed with info. Such is the life of a sheltered Dublin boy in peacetimes.
Loved that you got an interview with men from both sides, and tbh as someone who dreams of a united Ireland (brits out), being reminded of all the bloodshed caused by the IRA is something i needed to see.
brits out
I’ve been looking for an approachable well-rounded introduction to the Troubles, and this is so good. So well done. Thank you.
As a young person growing up in Northern Ireland, thank you for exploring both sides without any bias. Sick of learning about history just for it to be boiled down to 'Britian bad' or 'Ireland bad' without even discussing both sides of the fighting ❤
There's no discussion, the Brits invaded, stole land, discriminated against and destroyed their culture
Yeah but Britain are bad lmao. People that say people fighting a war for their independence are bad are insane. The British caused many genocides across the world, including in Ireland. Don't give me this both side bull shit. And the northern guy has bought into propaganda. He said it would be worse then Afghanistan or Iraq if they united. He ant serious. Plus he killed civilians the other guy is convicted for killing soldiers. The north killed way more civilians then the south. Try to think next time.
My Asian country was also colonised by the English until 1946 so I feel more sympathetic towards the Irish. I have an equal amount of Irish and English friends here in Austria but I am much closer to the Irish.
Their struggle for independence from the English resonates with me. Northern Ireland still being subjugated to England is a crime that has been forgotten for decades in my opinion.
God i hate centrist and the statue quo rider , like idk how there even a semblance of moral symetrie here , like an occupier vs occupied , like how there is any nuance here
@@negrevallsette2980this. For me the case is also crystal clear. Ireland belongs to the Irish.
Every other British colony has gained full independence, except for the Irish.
American here, but your documentary is well made, offering perspective from both sides of the conflict, offering history and context to the conflict. Well done!
Thank you!
Very solid work here, serious effort went into the research, live action footage and the interviews. Speaking as an Irishman, this is very in depth work beyond the efforts of some big broadcasting companies.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glad you enjoyed the video!
@@TieranFreedman You start with the Plantation, but you need to go back further. As far back as Cromwell, to fully understand the degree of ethnic cleansing perpetrated on our ancestors, by the Brits.
@@TieranFreedman reported for glorifying terrorism
@@toker6664 yes the British were the terrorists, Chichester, mountjoy, burning crops to cause starvation, one of your queens said I sent to wolves to Ireland instead of shepherds
@@toker6664loser
Correction: In Ulster the majority of British settlers were Scottish (hence the identity of Ulster Scots) not English.
A lot were from northern England tho, just majority of Scottish descent
@@TheDoonesday vast majority were scottish, look at our names
@@gege4707 From northern england and scotland. But scotland has been in northern ireland for ages with robert the bruce invading there and the stuart plantations. Plenty of non scottish protestant names. Church of ireland anglicans are almost as many as presbyterians. The guys name is the english hutchinson.
Remember that the people in Scotland are mainly descended from people who lived in the North of Ireland.
The Scotti people went to Northern Britain and drove out/killed the native Picts.
Many Scots who came over during the Plantation were returning to their native roots.
@@curlywurly1767 I dont think so. Talk about rewriting history, lol.
A no bullshit documentary, important for both sides to watch this. Thanks for making it.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
The best mini documentary I have seen on the subject
I'm from the Republic, and I have seen so many crap documentaries about the war in the North that I gave up watching them. Yours is the one and only really good impartial look at both sides, and I commend you for it. It's real documentary making. I hope some day for a united Ireland that Unionists wouldn't hate to live in.
"a united Ireland that Unionists wouldn't hate to live in" - never going to happen. It is part of their DNA.
@arthurgoodness7865 No doubt, man. It's going to be a wild ride when unification does happen.
Current polling has a United Ireland by the people of Northern Ireland at 30% and the people of Republic of Ireland at 67% support. However when asked the people of Republic of Ireland to change their flag, anthem, join the commonwealth, pay more taxes and set a block of seats for Unionists in the Dail then the majority said no. A United Ireland is a long way off if ever.
@@Admiralofthedeeps Probably a new civil war and alot of new bloodshed is going to happen if a United Ireland happens.
@@plugsocket9432 never going to happen. If a border poll is called, it will be rejected in NI. A Referendum in Ireland would probably be rejected too if the flag, anthem et al are properly considered by the electorate. I would not support it.
What an incredible documentary this was. You did a phenomenal job explaining this to someone who had only the barest awareness of this conflict and your documentarian skills (what you chose to highlight and how) are fantastic.
Incredible impartial documentary. For the effort and execution of this quality video your getting a sub. Well done from Australia 🇦🇺
Nice
Tge Irish Americans gave billions to tge ura until Reagan tried to stop it to appease the witch 59 % welsh 59% Scot’s always had a safe house for the freedom fighters That’s why we stand for Palestine
F?..the 👑👑👑👑🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🤮🤮❤️🔥🤮👑👑👑👑👑👑😱😱😱👑👑
I think this is beautiful, as a native I’ve also felt Ireland is a fellow indigenous group.
No one else has covered this topic so comprehensivly and unbiasedly im 35 minutes. This is great stuff. From a cycling channel, wow.
To think after experiencing a crippling famine (it wasn’t a famine as food was taken from us) that this is the shite generations had to put up with.. fuck the British government
It's important to know history, especially one's own. But because history repeats itself regardless of place, learning what happened elsewhere helps to reflect on other countries as well.
Great interview and explanation
Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.. to paraphrase George Santayana. Sad part is that revisionist history is being taught in schools today.
@@adamkiehl2316revisionist history. Agreed. History is rewritten by those in power, globally it seems.
Signed,
History minor
This is a really quite good documentary. There are a few "Problems" with it but its fine cuz its mainly because its such a complex topic a few things have just been simplified to complexity and time sake. And on another note, the comment section is surprisingly calm and level headed, i was expecting to see war between IRA and Unionist LARPers, but to my surprise its genuinely quite calm which just proves how good this video was. 🙏 God bless you bro
Thanks for the kind words, so glad you enjoyed the video! I have pinned a comment with a couple of corrections and some additional context.
The IRT, they are no army, have never been, and they've never had 'soldiers', and never will.
It would have been good to start off with the prior Gael military and slave raids of early medieval England that led to the colonisation under the Normans and maybe the Gael colonisation of Scotland during this same period but aside from that, it's very well done.
@@14Anon2 do we need to show you the diagram again about what is reality and what is dreams? Or maybe you don't know what colonising means?
@@LannaB-d3b You're denying that Gaels colonised Western Scotland and were doing slave raids into the rest of Britain during the medieval period?
As an English born son of a Catholic Irish-American mother & CofE English father the futility and waste of this entire conflict if heartbreaking.
One of the greatest moment of my life was to see Martin McGuinness & Ian Paisley shaking hands. Never let it slip back to where it was.
Very good documentary I have to say, adding in the interviews when others simply just read and recite information from books and the internet makes it far more unique than other documentaries on the subject. Obviously slight few errors but nothing that break the video or take away from the overall message, which is the most important. Really enjoyed it!
The only two gripes I have with it really is that 1. The beginning of the "troubles" and the start of the "conflict" part of it is a slight bit more complicated. While yes there were initially civil rights movements for equality in education, housing, employment, voting etc..., there was growing sentiment in the Unionist community that these were a 'cover' for an actual United Ireland movement, which as Michael pointed out, was not the case but simply looking for equality. When some of these marches were then opposed and then turned to violence, that's when the British army were brought in to basically protect the people who were marching but then it turned out that the army actually didn't do that well of a job and often were also violent towards the people and so the IRA was 'reformed' if you want to put it that way in order to protect the people and then of course, the UVF and others were 'reformed' in order to protect Unionist communities from the IRA and then it escalated.
2. is something that is rarely discussed in these types of videos but is quite important relating to how British security forces often colluded and worked together with Loyalist paramilitary forces in order to kill Catholics, often not having anything to do with the conflict. Through various investigations, it has been found that British security forces gave information to Loyalist groups of the whereabouts of certain people and often armed those groups in order to carry out these murders. Obviously I will admit bias on this subject but I think that relaying that some people were killed by groups with the help of their own government forces who are there to protect them from such atrocities shows that there was confirmed collusion which shows that while it can be called an ethnic conflict between two sides with differing identities, it had elements of it that were sponsored and supported by the government itself. The government and security forces would condemn Loyalist forces for killing people whilst quietly supporting them with information and weapons.
Now while the vast majority of this collusion between security forces and paramilitaries was between RUC / British Army and others with Loyalist forces, it would be remiss to not include examples of confirmed collusion between Gardaí (Irish Police) and Republican forces also, often looking the other way, leniency etc... and also the obvious funding and arming of Republican forces by the Irish government.
This collusion and often aiding by governments and security forces also gives credence to Michael's argument that the Troubles nickname belittles the importance and the actual gravity of the situation in the north rather than this simple, localised, petty argument.
But besides those two, which as a person who has studied the conflict in great detail, I really enjoyed it. I usually watch these and cringe or go into it not expecting much but genuinely, really impressed. I hope you do more on related topics in the same vein!
Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your thoughts, glad you enjoyed the video! Fair criticisms, I actually had an original cut that mentioned collusion, but I felt weird mentioning it so briefly without properly going into detail on it. I have since added a pinned comment that does just that ironically haha.
Interesting point about the civil rights movement. I didn't know that. Definitely hoping to go back some day for another visit because it feels like there's a mountain of stuff still to learn. For a first-time visit though I found it incredibly eye-opening.
In regards to future videos like this one, my channel follows me as I cycle around different parts of the world documenting stories along the way. So each one is different, but if you enjoyed this one, you might be interested in the one about a Welsh nationalist group that bombed a dam in Wales the 1960s (you can find it on my channel).
@@TieranFreedman The conflicted in Ireland goes back over 400 years
@@michaelhawkins7389 more....12th century to be more accurate
...did the Irish Government ever turn a blind eye to republican terrorism along the border? Is that collusion?
Point #2 is some BS. What you call "collusion" didn't go after "Catholics often not having anything to do with the conflict". It was British Intelligence handing Loyalist gangs actionable intelligence on legit IRA operatives who were then targeted by the Loyalists. The reason Republicans whine about the practice so much was because of one reason - results. It was one of the main reasons the IRA was finally forced to the negotiating table because they knew "the gloves were off" and that despite of their very insular command structure British Intelligence was damn good at identifying members of IRA Active Service Units and Loyalists were damn good at taking them out. Same thing goes for the whining about the "shoot to kill" orders.
Someone born and raised in derry, this document was fair and balanced on 1 aspect which was the irish people both catholic and protestants feelings, absolutely 1st class and very honest, part 2 should cover "the dirty war" the war the British said was catholic make believe, but now its being exposed in recent years, documents and documarties being brought out by independent journalists and tv crews which shows how much the British security services prolonged and kept this war going for longer than it should have ever went on, with the help of both Ira, uda, uvf, special branch, fru(military intelligence) all working for British intelligence.
Having been to both north and south, I noticed one thing:
People. They all have lives and are more than just a "controversial topic" the lads in the south took me drifting. The north took me to a gig. Either way you on the emerald aisle are fantastic people. I love all of you and wish you peace
A well done doccie. I learned a lot. Thank you.
This video genuinely brought me to tears watching. A lot of videos on the troubles are either heavily biased or very badly made but you done this justice. Thank you
let me guess, they them?😢
@@yungprodigy4070 what? I live in Ireland, my family was involved in the troubles like many other Irish families.
Learn to be less ignorant
hahaha@@yungprodigy4070
Wow, it means a lot to hear that it resonated with you so much. Thank you for your comment 💚
@@yungprodigy4070did you just like your own comment?
Great video. As an American, it's really hard to understand the conflict and history here, but you've done a really great job making it easier to understand. Thanks!
For real! I’m from Los Angeles and we are very segragated without walls. But the parallels are the same none the less, a lot of this comes down to old politics not being able to merge with today’s living standards. We all want something different and we don’t want to share that privilege!
Not really it mirrors a little bit of the American revolution
@@projectc.j.j3310 whatever that even means. Anyways we are comparing it to our modern struggles we aren’t comparing history with history. Would you like to add anything meaningful?💀
@@HotMochaCake history? U mean what a lot of the video is talking about? Lmao shut your la as up
@@HotMochaCake are you really that stupid that you don’t know what a simple sentence means?😂😂😂 “WhAtEveR ThAt MeAnS”
Excellent, concise documentary, thank you. I'm from Finland, so I'm pretty far away from the subject but close enough to have always been intrigued by it. I've tried to figure out why there was a long, bloody war in such a civilized country. It still sounds like a really difficult situation, but your documentary helped in putting a lot of it into perspective.
Finland was occupied by Russia as well & i believe - correct me if I am wrong - there was also a civil war in Finland following that. Far away yes - but not that different
@@dearbhal Well, Finland was occupied by Russia between 1809 - 1917. And yes, there was a civil war in 1918. I understand your point, but in my mind these are totally different scenarios. The conflict in Northern Ireland has been going on for decades now, and it's still brewing. I guess it's somehow comparable to the situation in the Balkans.
Finland has long been a separate country, while Ireland is still occupied by England.
As an American born in the late 90s I grew up hearing of the troubles of Ireland. Never have I heard as good of coverage…Even got a college degree (history) and have a passion for history, yet this is the best comprehensive video essay on this subject. Thank you!
Well balanced and professional documentary. I think your insight into Brexit without a plan for the Good Friday agreement were spot on.
Damn EU.
What an incredible piece of journalism and documentary skills. Rightfully earned my subscription.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
@@TieranFreedmandude this is an epic doco! Excellent work and probably the best intro to the conflict that I've seen.
The IRA man killed a soldier, the UVF "man" killed 2 civilians, imagine my shock.
The IRA killed plenty of innocents. Don't kid yourself, they were and are terrorists.
It's not about numbers.
@@violetanndoherty6872 I know? The point stands
@@violetanndoherty6872it seems the comment was about the killing of civilians vs the killing of an armed soldier.
The IRA killed more civilians than soldiers. They burned a pregnant woman alive and civilian informers. They were the worst for killing their own.
Old Billy's main concern regarding a united Ireland is his fear that a nationalist majority would treat loyalist communities in the same manner that the loyalists persecuted nationalists, a main contributing factor to the NI civil rights movement and the Troubles.
I'd dare say a United Éire would be a lot more welcoming of our loyalist neighbours than they'd like you to believe
His viewpoint was a prime example of the propaganda some loyalists have been fed. Scary, really!
the only difference between the persecutors and the persecuted is power...
very often the persecuted turn things around and do unto others what has been done unto them...
its not just propaganda its basic human nature...
We're so far removed from this that if a united Ireland happens in the next 10/20 years there would hardly be persecution of "loyalism", SF the main nationalist party tried to get a loyalist assigned to the Seanad in the 26 counties only one side currently doesn't want to work with the other and it's the loyalists @@jerichostevens2711
@@jerichostevens2711 Which is why leaders who was able to overcome that great problem are the greatest leaders not only to their country but also for the world.
This deliberately ignores what republicans have already done to loyalist communities, & what happened to loyalists in the south historically.
Fantastic insight for those of us that are uneducated on this unbelievable period of history. Very well made. I'm just starting out on my UA-cam journey and this content and format gives me great motivation.
Thanks so much. Good luck with your videos!
This is a really well made documentary. Unbelievable its made by a lad with 11k subscribers. You've earned yourself another one and I can't wait to see all the rest of your projects on this channel.
Wow, until you pointed it out I genuinely thought this was made by a TV network
Thanks for the comment and support! Many more videos to come 😊
Excellent documentary. Emigrated from Belfast to Canada in 1972. This hits very close to my heart.
An excellent presentation of the history and politics. Extremely evenhanded and fair to all sides, thank you and well done.
A great summary of a very complex and confusing situation. Even still, it’s hard to follow how and why things got so bad. Nice job.
I don’t know what is so complex…It’s the oppressed fighting against the oppressor. People make it complicated bc of subconscious (or conscious) bias.
The IRA split between pro treaty and anti-treaty in the civil war. Not all of the IRA were against the treaty.
yea west brit fine gael traitors , shocking they have the balls to use the word Gael when alot of them arent actually gaelic but norman and anglo irish , absolutely the worst politcal party in the whole of ireland , i would vote DUP before fine gael , at least DUP have the honesty to say they are british
@@tomtomftube🇬🇧☘️
True, but only to an extent. What was the IRA during the War of Independence split, and the Pro-Treaty side became the Free State Army. The Irregulars (Anti-Treaty) maintained the use of the name IRA.
The IRT, they have never been an army, and the mindless thugs within have never been, nor will ever be, soldiers.
Irt right
As a Native American/Indigenous American person, I will forever support the people and country of Ireland. They have done so much for our kinship, and vice versa. Great to learn this history, as I never knew this before. Smudge up for those lives lost 🪶💨💕
If you're feeling so sorry for the Irish read up on the Birmingham pub bombings where 21 innocentpeople died. You might learn something
Like how corrupt british justice is?
I was orphaned in America from Irish parents that suffered the troubles. The Brits always treated me as a 3rd class person in the British Isles & the US. The Native peoples were always the ones to treat me as an equal. Thankyou. My children are 1/2 native, for I want them to know where I came from.
@@wodens-hitman1552 Or the fact that the colonisation only happened in response to the Gael military raids of early medieval England - which was conveniently left out in this video by starting the story at the 11th century.
❤❤❤Thank you. The bond between Native Americans and Irish will never be forgotten 🦅🕊️❤❤❤
The Troubles wasnt a religious conflict, it was an ethnic conflict. Religion was simply one way of identifying yourself to an ethnic group, native Irish or decendant of the (mostly Scottish) British colonists. The idea that the Troubles is just about thick Paddies killing each other over religion (instead of its actual origins as a civil rights movement) was invented by the British government to avoid admitting that the conflict was a direct result of British imperialism. That narrative still exists, clearly, which is fucking insulting.
Loyalists love to hang on to the religious aspect of the 1700s.
Divide and conquer springs to mind
I think that is the more accurate distinction, because there were protestant nationalists and catholic unionists. Sure they were a minority however to paint it as sectarian violence would imply that such nuances wouldn't exist.
They really plastered that narrative everywhere, reducing the horrible suffering of so many people down to a surface level conflict. It is despicable and as you said, insulting.
Shit makes me so fucking angry and some (not all) arrogant brit c*nts glamorize their Empires barbarism
I recall as a teenager thinking how crazy and glorious it was that in 1993 Zombie gave me a glimpse into the Troubles and then, just like that, it was over and the Accords were signed. We didn't know much about NI in Brazil but we knew it was an incredibly bitter conflict. I hope it remains firmly planted in the past only
Impossible
Brazil an amazing country
Your mentioning of "Zombie" by the Cranberries made me feel a bit sad knowing that the band's lead singer Dolores O'Riordan is no longer with us.
Thank you for your excellent work on this and the corrections.
Excellent documentary. Well done on staying completely objective. I wish more stories were covered as objectively as this story was covered.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
A fantastic video, I learned more watching this than I ever did in my years of education👏🏻
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Dobry dokument, obiektywny. Jestem polakiem/brytyjczykiem, który mieszkał wiele lat w Belfascie i miał przyjaciół po obu stronach barykady. Życzę pokoju Północnej Irlandii i jej ludziom.
This was a great video and was really helpful i have been very confused about this for a long time . Thanks
I wrote my dissertation on the American influence on the Troubles. You did an excellent job with this documentary.
Thank you, glad to hear that! Must have been a fascinating project
Older American here. What was the American influence in this situation? I doubt I'm the only person who would like to know.
@@ARNM55-l9v Provided funding for the IRA and Republican groups
The civil right movement in the 60s had an impact on the youth @@ARNM55-l9v
This was so well done. Thank you 🙏🫶🏼
Holy crap! I just looked and you apparently only have 12k subs? This is an absolutely insane amount of quality and hard work put into a very professional documentary! Instant sub from me, your work is amazing and I see nothing but greatness from you in the future!
Thanks for the feedback and support! Glad you're enjoying my videos 😊 Many more to come!
Outstanding documentary! Well done!
This was a very fascinating and well-made documentary. I plan on doing something similar and this is a great crash course. The writing, the structure, the visuals, etc. Simple and effective. Thanks for your time!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! And good luck with your video
Glad to see this is blowing up, this was very well done ❤
Thank you!
ive never been able to understand the troubles and this video explained it really well. nice vid
You have done a really good job with this difficult subject, unbiased and professional. Well done.
England should have just left. Let Ireland be free and united.
If the UK government left it would have been a Balkan bloodbath, unlike the Northern Ireland government their was no anti Presbyterian or church of Ireland laws in the South, it was 1 man 1 vote in the South unlike Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland was a state built on fear and keeping Catholics out of politics and jobs, the UK government fought to keep Northern Ireland government policies in place
@@dogwhistle8836 true , government jobs in the paper in the north used to say Catholics need not apply
Too right. Nuf Said
Why are those two not in jail still
@@christhomas4260 in Ireland we don't lock you up for life just for a little bit of murder and what Irish man has not had murder in his heart but some are just pussies that don't do it
Super good video. Lots of stuff I should have known, but didn't. Thank you.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Its telling that the IRA pro Irish unity guy killed members of British armed forces whist the pro union UVF guy who supported the crown and its forces murdered 2 Catholics walking to work for just sectarian reasons. There have been IRA men who've been Protestant but the same is not true of Loyalist paramilitaries who are very sectarian which is the end result of 100's of years of discrimination against Catholics.
Did the republicans never kill innocent people or carry out sectarian attacks? Enniskillen? Kingsmill?
Like PIRA, INLA and the other psychopaths on that side of the divide never murdered any civilians?
The ira guy murdered. Didn't kill. Crime is crime is crime.
@@biggerteddybears everyone involved in the conflict murdered - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces. They all have the blood of innocent people on their hands.
Catholics fought for HM Armed Forces. They also served in our intelligence services. The UK can’t be beaten by Irish Republicanism.
After watching Derry Girls I have been trying to learn more about the Troubles and this video explained this history so well. Thank you!
Random American watching after finishing Derry Girls on Netflix. This is an amazing video. Thank you for putting so much effort and care into this.
Superb. Thank you. WDC, USA
As a 20 year old British soldier I have nothing but respect for the Irish, the way we’ve treated the Irish over the last century was awful
You don't have to apologise for anything it's some of the ignorant British cunts glamorizing their barbaric actions of the past it's those pricks I have a problem with Brits like you are good people
Amazing video, The interviewees seem much closer to the gray part of conflicts than people highlighted in history tend to be
This is proper journalism. Well balanced, at least to my outsider's eye. Very interesting.
More like a school project
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
No one come for me or get mad at me but I’m here because I watched derry girls on Netflix n wanted to learn more of what happened in northern Ireland cause I don’t think it was ever talked about when I was in school at least from what I remember 😬❤️☺️
One thing you said...the 98 referendum was not a vote for national sovereignity on either side it was a vote for the terms exclusively outlined in the gfa dor both to accept and a catalyst for power sharing
As someone who is quite interested in Irish history (with my great grandmother being Irish and coming over from there), I have read a fair bit on the Troubles and seen a solid number of videos on the subject, but this is the best of the lot. I am quite impressed with your work.
Amazing how often those who fight to be their own people are the ones painted as being "problematic" by those who are trying to control them.
You are referring to the Irish Republicans trying to control the Irish Unionists I assume?
The people who are originals to the lands. Colonialism is the evil that does not stop destroying the world. Just keep ya grubby hands off land that belongs to others. Respect inhabitants of lands with their histories and cultures. No, the world is not some treasure chest for the powerful to loot. Well I guess I lose that battle and war. Very distressing the evil of humanity.
@@zapfilms No one is original to their lands. Everywhere has been colonised over and over, except the Rift valley. So where do you want to draw a line? Should all the Americans leave the US and leave it to the native Indians?
The Unionists have been in Ireland longer that the US existed, they have been there there over 300 years. Are you saying they have no rights?
@@Gravadlax-ki7rhYour breath reeks of British boot
@@Gravadlax-ki7rhNo, the Unionists do not have the right to support a violent colonialist genocidal monarchy any more than the Germans had the 'right' to support H*tler. They do have the right to continue living where they are, fully equal to Irishmen in the eyes of the law, in an undivided Irish state, which has been the goal of the IRA from the beginning. It is only because the Unionists view the Irish as Untermenschen that they cannot stomach the thought of being equal and sharing political power with them, which is why they pretend it is some great violation of their civil liberties.
32 years old American and this is first time a video I seen that actually ever said "why they fought" it was usually UK bad, "Irish drunk rebales" catholic vs protestant but it was was because of housing and not having vote
Catholics had housing. Where did you think they lived, under bridges? They also had the vote, as long as they owned a house, same as protestants. All Catholic housing estates like Ballymurphy and Twinbrook were brand new when the troubles broke out. These houses had bathrooms and gardens while protestants living on the Skankill Road had neither. Catholics lied and the leftist media reported the lies as fact.. The
Very simplistic analysis
That was a fantastic documentary, thanks so much! I'm loving your travel ones as well, as I've followed a similar route the other year, so it's interesting to follow your trip.🌞
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! Oh cool, how long were you on the road for?
Thank you. I wonder why my large, deeply Catholic multi-generational family never mentioned this in front of us kids in the 60's & 70's. I hope they wanted peace... ✌️❤🇨🇮
My dad did 3 tours of northern ireland and it still haunts him to this day...A terrible time for all irish people and those who were called to serve in northern ireland on behalf of the british government. I feel for all who endured this conflict and i wish all the irish people lasting peace!!!
And it should haunt him for the rest of his days. Some within the British Army acted disgracefully and committed heinous crimes against innocent people. All who were active during the troubles - republicans, loyalists and British Security Forces - have the blood of innocent people on their hands.
@@arthurgoodness7865 But it's okay for the IRA to bomb hotels with innocent people in them?
Awwww coloniser soldier sad ;(
Heartbreaking
@@kamacassieYTdid I say that? Are you unable to read the written English word? Did I not say that ALL who were active have the blood of innocent people on their hands?
Bless. No cure for stupidity my friend, but don’t give up as you might attain an acceptable level of stupidity.
@@kamacassieYTlike bloody Sunday one example also
I find it really difficult to not side with the Republicans here. The Irish have been subjected to inhumane treatment at the hands of the English for hundreds of years, from the potato famine to the events this video goes over.
They started it.