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The Last Martyrs - Omagh, Sinn Fein And The Republican Transition From Armalites To Ballot Boxes, James J. Siniscalchi

The Exposition

This paper examines the transition of Sinn Fein, once seen as an extremist front organization for the Irish Republican Army, into the leading voice in the Catholic Irish nationalist community. The paper follows the transitions in Sinn Fein's political strategy and rhetoric, from providing justification for the ongoing military campaign in the 1970s, through its acceptance of the legitimacy of the Irish Republic in the 1980s and to its final repudiation of violence in the wake of the Omagh bombing in 1998. Specific attention is given to the pragmatic leadership of the Belfast faction lead by Gerry Adams. While journalists …

Baptism By Fire: Ireland, The Easter Rising Of 1916 And Its Experiment With Radical Republicanism, Travis K. Becker

The Exposition

The Easter Uprising of 1916 represents one of the most tumultuous moments in modern Irish history. A relatively small group of revolutionaries sought to throw off the shackles of British rule in favor of Irish independence and self-determination. The uprising, lasting a mere six days, transformed the very nature of relations between Great Britain and the Irish populace. The Rising resulted in wholesale changes in legislation including women gaining the right to vote and run for office. Ireland following the uprising was completely transformed as its populace reeled with its effects.

This paper examines the immediate build-up to the uprising …