The dark realm of the shadowlands refers to the three Irish counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. These counties are found in Ulster, yet they are not part of Northern Ireland, hence their unionist and Protestant denizens exist in a state of isolation, “beyond the brilliance” following 1920. Their abandonment by their Ulster brethren, who chose to forsake them in a bid to secure a more fortified minuscule state, led to a disgruntled peoplehood. In the newly established Irish Free State, they were greeted with a considerable degree of distrust and animosity. They were, using Hubert Butler’s terminology for southern Protestants, “children of no one”.
Edward Burke, who holds an assistant professorship in the history of warfare at University College Dublin, has unsurprisingly concentrated his meticulously thorough, albeit pricey, book on the volatile politics and armed struggles of loyalists on both sides of the border. He doesn’t claim to express the broader experiences of the Protestant residents in those counties, inclusive of those who outwardly accepted the birth of the new state. Burke’s humility is evident in this aspect, though we also delve into some contextual analysis around the contributions these Protestants made to the local and national politics of independent Ireland.
His theory revolves around the idea that violent recollections deeply “instilled a sense of alienation from the newly formed Irish State within the minds of future generations”. This resulted in their participation in loyalist paramilitary endeavours during the turbulent times of 1968-1997. He also asserts that particularly the Monaghan loyalists played a significant part in combating IRA aggression during the War of Independence.
What distinguishes the unionism and Protestantism of this region from the rest of autonomous Ireland? Burke speculates that it is a distinct form of Ulster loyalty that is the allure — “a society or tradition defined by tales of Protestant colonisation, discord and lineage in Ireland’s northern region, and loyalty to an expanded British identity”. Possibly — but this could be true for a majority of Protestant Ireland as well, which found itself stranded on the incorrect side of a revolution post-1922. What separates these counties is that they constituted a border territory, a hazardous, permeable line of division that was always under dispute — a continuous source of defence for one group, and question of legitimacy for the other.
Mircea Cărtărescu celebrated his victory at the 2024 Dublin Literary award as one of his most prestigious achievements. A question that continues to mystify is this: irrespective of the Irish Free State being a dreadful place to live, as endorsed by countless disappointed and estranged loyalists, why did the majority decide to stay? A plethora of reasons may have contributed to such a decision, varying from financial constraints to familial and communal bonds. While many opted to relocate, it seems the rhythm of life reached a tolerable equilibrium for both unionists and nationalists by the latter part of the 1960s. Conflicts, when they arose, often appeared to follow a set pattern, a mechanism which aids in managing discomfort. Understanding the appropriate responses in a situation often helps maintain calm.
Loyalism in these counties is distinguished from the rest of ‘the South’ due to their active involvement in violent resistance during the War of Independence. Burke posits that loyalists in Monaghan were actively and effectively combating suspected republicans in 1921, in contrast to the less vigorous and inadequately coordinated resistance in Cavan. In June 1922, Pettigo in Donegal became the centre of tension among the IRA, local loyalists, the Ulster Special Constabulary, as well as the English and Irish military forces.
‘The Eighth House’ by Linda Segtnan provides a gripping narrative of juvenile homicide. The book also offers a refreshing and timely examination of the role of Border loyalists on the occurrences in areas north of the Border. Their influence on the Northern Ireland’s security forces, post-partition militant movements, and their involvement in paramilitary activities during the later civil unrest is delved into.
The closing chapter reviews some events from the 1970s, such incidents like the assassination of Senator Billy Fox in 1974, the contribution of individuals from the three counties to the UK military and policing force, Northern Ireland’s Orange Order’s support for their counterparts in the three counties, and the machinations of spies and informers— all considered within the framework of renewed doubt regarding the loyalty of these Border Protestants.
The Protestant community in the Border region had, due to churches and specifically the Orange Order, established a significant support network. This proves unique and unavailable to their fellow Protestants in other parts of southern Ireland, particularly as the Orange Order has long ceased to exist elsewhere in the independent Irish lands by the 1970s.
One primary strength of the book is its intelligently crafted description of the belongingness felt among the Border Loyalists. There is a sense of regret, however, in the book for not delving deeper into the identities of these Protestants by exploring their emotions, experiences and actions in contrast to the eventual acceptance of Catholic-dominant society by Protestants in the Free State and Republic.
Nora Robertson in her 1960 statement hints that this acceptance was achieved through embracing newer ties while also preserving older loyalties. By 1995, the Church of Ireland’s Archbishop Caird of Dublin was able to affirm the confidence and acceptance of the Protestant minority in the south. This balancing force allowed a smooth yet firm shift from holding onto British loyalism to identifying significantly with Irish heritage.
Burke suggests that loyalism lingered longer in the “lost” counties than in the rest of the Republic, citing the Cavan celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 as an example. That being said, a service was held in Cork upon George VI’s death in 1952 and students at Cork Grammar School, an Anglican institution, were required to tune into Elizabeth II’s ceremony. This shows the complexity of events and non-linear nature of developments in Ireland.
The book captures the gradual, broken process of Border loyalism. Despite Burke’s assertion of weaker ties to Ulster identity within the Republic, the remaining sentiment seems a blend of nostalgic sadness and a stubborn resistance to let go, especially among the dislocated communities and families.
The thing that might have disturbed them was the infuriating proximity to a boundary where many believed the sunny highlands were located, yet always slightly unattainable. Yearning intensely from the other side of the fence, they craved to be a part of the activities taking place there. But their roles could only be marginal. This reality might be the destiny of all borderland societies, as demonstrated by the three “forgotten” counties of Ulster.