What a Bloody Awful Country

Northern Ireland's century of division

Kevin Meagher

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English

BITEBACK PUBLISHING
30 August 2022

Biography: general; History; Politics & government

In the early years of the twentieth century, simmering discontent began to boil over on the island of Ireland as the nascent IRA took its guerrilla campaign against British rule to the streets. By 1921, Britain had beaten a retreat from all but a small portion of the country – and thus Northern Ireland was born.

Kevin Meagher argues that partition has been an unmitigated disaster for Nationalists and Unionists alike. As the long and fraught history of British rule in Ireland staggered to a close, a better future was there for the taking but was lost amid political paralysis, while the resulting fifty years of devolution succeeded only in creating a brooding sectarian stalemate that exploded into the Troubles.

In a stark but reasoned critique, Meagher traces the landmark events in Northern Ireland’s century of existence, exploring the missed signals, the turning points, the principled decisions that at various stages should have been taken, as well as the raw realpolitik of how Northern Ireland has been governed over the past 100 years.

Thoughtful and sometimes provocative, What a Bloody Awful Country reflects on how both Loyalists and Republicans might have played their cards differently and, ultimately, how the actions of successive British governments have amounted to a masterclass in failed statecraft.

'A timely and lucid analysis of the Troubles that asks hard questions of successive British governments. The good news for the current government is that it also offers some answers.' – The Guardian

'A gripping appraisal of Northern Ireland’s turbulent first century. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how we have got to where we are today.' – Suzanne Breen, Belfast Telegraph

By: Kevin Meagher
Imprint: BITEBACK PUBLISHING
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781785907593
ISBN 10: 178590759X
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 30 August 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Kevin Meagher is associate editor of the political blog Labour Uncut and a former special adviser to Shaun Woodward, the most recent Labour Northern Ireland Secretary. He works as a political and communications consultant and has written for a range of publications including the New Statesman and The Independent.

Reviews for What a Bloody Awful Country: Northern Ireland's century of division

A timely and lucid analysis of the Troubles that asks hard questions of successive British governments. The good news for the current government is that it also offers some answers. Rory Carroll, The Guardian