I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army)

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was an armed organization that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland and unite Ireland as a whole. Throughout the 20th century, especially during the Troubles (late 1960s to 1998), the IRA engaged in bombings, shootings, and other militant activities aimed at achieving political goals. They considered themselves defenders of Irish independence and republic ideals. The conflict involved complex political, religious, and social factors, and the IRA's actions were controversial, contributing to decades of violence and negotiations that eventually led to peace processes like the Good Friday Agreement.