Ireland

Oil painting by Ralph Lillford, 'Irishmen Avenge Irish Dead', Londonderry, 1975

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The Troubles

Troops were sent to Northern Ireland in 1969. They ended up staying there for nearly 40 years in what became the British Army's longest ever deployment.

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British Civil Wars

Fought between 1642 and 1651, these wars were primarily disputes between Crown and Parliament about how the British Isles should be governed. But they also had religious and social dimensions, and witnessed the creation of the first national standing army.

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Nine Years War

Between 1689 and 1697, British soldiers joined a European alliance against French expansionism. At the same time, extensive fighting took place in Scotland and Ireland between the supporters of King William III and the deposed James II.

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The Ulster Defence Regiment

This infantry unit was formed in 1970. It served in Northern Ireland until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

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Cap badge, other ranks, The Royal Irish Rangers, c1970

The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th)

This infantry unit was established in 1968 and recruited in Northern Ireland. It served with the British Army until 1992, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Regiment.

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Cap badge, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers), c1914

The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)

This infantry unit was established during the 1881 reforms. It recruited in the Irish province of Ulster and served until 1968 when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

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Glengarry badge, other ranks, 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment, c1874

87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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Glengarry badge, 89th (Princess Victoria’s) Regiment of Foot, c1874

89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793. It served with the British Army until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

This Irish infantry unit was established in 1881. Recruiting in Ulster, it existed until 1968, when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.

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27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1689. It continued in service until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

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108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)

This unit was originally raised by the East India Company, but later transferred to British Army service. In 1881, it was merged into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

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The Royal Irish Rifles

This infantry unit was formed during the 1881 reforms. It continued in British Army service until 1968, when it became part of The Royal Irish Rangers.

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86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

This Irish infantry unit was raised in 1793 and recruited in Belfast and County Down. It continued in service until the 1881 Army reforms, when it became part of The Royal Irish Rifles.

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Explore Ireland learning resources

Video

KS3 (Age 11 to 14)

Easter Rising 1916

Watch experts from museums in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland sharing their thoughts on objects from our Easter Rising collection.

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Ireland

The Troubles

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