Fermanagh (The Irish Revolution, 1912-23)

This is the first in-depth examination of the Irish Revolution in Fermanagh and its political, economic and social context. Dan Purcell reveals how political tensions initially played out on the political trail and at local government level rather than in militant action. Although Fermanagh appeared calm and seemed to have been spared the violence witnessed in other counties after 1916, in reality tensions were running high as both communities strove to avoid direct provocation of the other. The Government of Ireland Act (1920), which divided Ireland into two jurisdictions, placed Fermanagh in the new state of Northern Ireland and ushered in a more militant phase. In the aftermath of the establishment of the border, the key events of the revolutionary period in the county included the sack of Roslea, the IRA’ s ‘ invasion’ of Belleek and the formation of the Ulster Special Constabulary. During 1920– 3 unionists in Fermanagh vigorously defended what they held, while nationalists proved surprisingly willing to accept their situation in the misplaced hope that the Boundary Commission would resolve the border issue.