Book Description

Much has been written on the Irish problem and on the political manifestations of Ulster Unionism, but the history of Unionist ideology has been relatively neglected. James Loughlin aims to correct this and to discuss the relationship of Unionism to the idea of Britishness, demonstrating that the central element of Unionism was its rejection of Irish nationalism and its firm embracing of British national identity, particularly with regard to the monarchy, and membership of the wider British nation. The author pays close attention to primary sources, especially local newspapers, and thus reveals the regional variations in the character of Unionism.