At the beginning of the twentieth century, Antrim contained the largest
Presbyterian population on the island of Ireland. It also contained most
of Belfast--the largest city in Ireland--which dominated the economy of
the north-east. Belfast was tightly integrated into Britain's politics
and economy, and the vast majority of its inhabitants, who were
overwhelmingly Presbyterian and unionist like the rest of the county,
were determined to keep it that way. In Antrim there was no land war,
the majority of the population supported the RIC and Crown forces, and
only a minority voted for home rule. Belfast was the centre of Ulster
unionist resistance to home rule, and the location of the headquarters
of the Ulster Unionist Party and the UVF. This carefully researched book
explores the political, economic, and social links between Ulster
unionist leaders in Belfast and the Conservative Party in Britain, which
proved decisive in obstructing the Irish Revolution. The book examines
the outbreak of intense sectarian violence in Belfast and Lisburn in
1920, the 'Belfast Pogrom.' It describes the reconstitution of the UVF
as the Ulster Special Constabulary and, controlled by unionist
politicians, the USC's role in repressing the nationalist community.
Using the most recent documents available, Feeney analyses the
personnel, actions, and constraints the IRA's 3rd Northern Division
faced, and provides the first comprehensive account of the campaign in
north Antrim.
