Loyalists

In general, a loyalist is an individual who is loyal to the "power that be" or the establishment. This article specifically refers to individuals and/or groups who are loyal to the British monarchy or to Great Britain.

In 18th century Ireland

The term "loyalist" was first used in Irish politics in the 1790s, to refer to those Protestants who opposed Catholic Emancipation, the extension of the franchise of the Irish Parliament and greater independence for Ireland from Britain. See Ireland 1691-1801. Liberal Protestants who supported these reforms were known as "patriots". The terms were probably derived from the opposing sides of the American Revolution. Prominent loyalists included John Foster, John Fitzgibbon and John Beresford. In the subsequent Irish Rebellion of 1798, "ultra loyalists" were those most opposed to the United Irishmen, who wanted an independent Irish Republic. Loyalists founded the Orange Order in 1795 and served in the Yeomanry militia, which helped to put down the rebellion. Loyalists such as Richard Musgrave were associated with a history of the rebellion which interpreted it as a Catholic plot to drive Protestants out of Ireland.

Loyalists in Northern Ireland

A loyalist in Northern Ireland is a particular type of unionist who feels strongly about the political union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In recent times, the term has often been used to refer to militant unionists. Most frequently, they are of Protestant background (at least nominally). There are several loyalist paramilitary groups, such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of their communities and the unionist community in general, electoral results tend to suggest that their support is minimal and exclusively based in the urban working class. Only one pro-Belfast Agreement loyalist party (Progressive Unionist Party) won any seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1999. Ideologically, loyalism is typified by a militant opposition to Irish Republicanism, and often also to Catholicism. It stresses Protestant identity and community with its own folk heroes and events, such as the exploits of the 36th (Ulster) Division during World War I and the activities of the Orange Institution. Officially, most loyalist organisations are in ceasefire mode as a result of the Belfast Agreement, though numerous breaches of the ceasefire have been recorded.

Loyalists in the Republic of Ireland

Loyalists in the Republic of Ireland have been few and far between since independence. Many of the southern Irish loyalists volunteered for service in the British Armed Forces in World War I and World War II; many of them losing their lives or settling in the United Kingdom after the wars. Partition saw mass movements of southern Loyalists to Northern Ireland or mainland UK, furthering the decline of loyalism in southern Ireland.

The republican nature of post-partition Ireland meant loyalism in the Republic of Ireland transformed itself in order to survive and be active. Recently, Irish loyalists seem to have a new confidence, and are more outspoken in the wake of better Anglo-Irish relations.^{[citation needed]} Groups such as The Reform Movement, The Border Minority Group and the Loyal Irish Union have gained some publicity in recent times but enjoy little support from the population as a whole.^{[citation needed]} The Orange Institution in the Republic of Ireland holds an annual pre-Twelfth march in Rossnowlagh in County Donegal. Loyalism in southern Ireland has no known links with northern paramilitary groups.^{[citation needed]}

Loyalists in Scotland

A loyalist in Scotland is someone on the fringes of Scottish unionism who is often stridently supportive of loyalism and unionism, although mainly concentrating on the Irish union issue, rather than Scottish politics.

Although only a small fraction of the Scottish population, and less so in comparison to their Northern Ireland counterparts, their profile has become more prominent with strident demonstrations of their beliefs since the establishment of a Scottish Parliament. Scottish loyalism is visible through participation at loyalist marches and through their support for Rangers F.C. in Glasgow, a city with a long history of sectarian violence. At the extreme end, loyalism is supportive of violence or threats, as a "defence" of loyalists, unionists and their version of Protestantism, as well as Northern Ireland and Scotland's positions as part of the United Kingdom.

Although far less active and organised in Scotland than their Northern Ireland counterparts, loyalists have been involved in a small number of activities related to the troubles in Northern Ireland. Most notable have been two pub bombings, spontaneous murders of people they perceived as enemies of their version of Protestantism, and the smuggling of guns and explosives to Northern Ireland.^{[citation needed]}

Loyalists in Scotland mostly live in small working class enclaves in the major urban centres or industrial villages, notably Glasgow, Lanarkshire (especially Larkhall), Renfrewshire, West Lothian and Ayrshire. There are relatively few in areas such as the Highlands, Borders and the northeast (including Aberdeen), .

Some loyalists in Scotland support paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF). Although the Orange Institution nominally repudiates these organisations, some of its members in Scotland support of these paramilitary organisations.^{[citation needed]}

Although loyalists claim to speak on behalf of Protestants and unionists, they do not have widespread political support. Many of the political representatives in their areas are from the Labour Party and to a lesser extent, the Scottish National Party. Neither party supports their programme. Ideologically, Scottish loyalism is typified by a strident, and at times militant, opposition to Irish Republicanism, Scottish independence and the Roman Catholic Church - particularly the existence of Roman Catholic denominational schools.

On March 2004, Scotland's first 24-hour loyalist radio station started broadcasting through an Internet server in Jersey. Calton Radio has an exclusively loyalist playlist, with many songs celebrating the loyalist history and culture.[1]

Loyalists in England

Loyalists can be found in many parts of England, especially Liverpool, Manchester, Corby and London, where there are substantial Irish immigrant populations. Another small but militant plank of English loyalism is found in far right or racist groups such as the British National Party, the British National Front and Combat 18. These organisations are devoted to the unity of the United Kingdom and against a united Ireland. Some of them have had links with Ulster loyalist paramilitaries such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force in Northern Ireland.

In January 2006 English Loyalists.co.ukwas setup to preserve, promote & maintain English Loyalism online.

Loyalists in North America

Further information: United Empire Loyalist; Loyalist (American Revolution)

There are two main groups of loyalists within North America; United Empire Loyalists, who claim descent from inhabitants of the American Colonies that remained loyal to the British Crown leading up to and after the American Revolution; and those who carry on their loyalty and support the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This second group shares more in common with loyalists found throughout the United Kingdom. A third lesser group is the Quebec Loyalists, who unite around their common heritage within New France prior to the ceding of the colony to the British.

The Loyalist Party is a registered political party in the Unites States of America. Its main ideology is American patriotism and anti-Islam due to its belief that Islam promotes Islamofacism. Its political model and motives are similar to earlier American anti-communism movements like the John Birch Society.

External links

• Loyalism Online
• Loyalist Music Archive
• Kilcluney Volunteers Flute Band
• Ulster-Scots Online
• CAIN - University of Ulster
• Calton Radio - Loud & Proud
• Loyalist Pictures
• English Loyalists
• Greg-1912 - Loyalist Website
• Ardrossan Winton Flute Band - Loyalist Flute Band
• Loyal Irish Union
• North American Loyal
• Haldimand CollectionA major source of information regarding the installation of American Loyalists in Canada - Cataraqui, Nova-Scotia, Quebec, Sorel, New-Brunswick. The 232 series fully indexed !

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