what are the requirements of being in the IRA?

Question

I'm just............... curious

Answer 1

I am Southern Irish. My fathers family were fiercely Loyalist whilst my mothers family (and herself) were fiercely Republican. Sixty years ago, I heard my Grandfather shout at my father to 'take that bloody Fenian bit*ch out of my house'. I always remembered that. As I grew up, I knew about the IRA and who was supposed to be a member. I remember the start of the troubles in the early 60's. I remember the outrages that followed in the 70's. At this time I was a Police Officer in London and had close knowledge of what was happening. I have always been pro Republic but honestly believe that a united Ireland would never be achieved by force. I firmly believe in the Ballot Box. When a large bomb went off in Canary Wharf in London, the whole mess was summed up in one sentence when a newsagent was killed. Someone said 'What in God's name has an Asian newsagent ever done against Ireland'. To that Asian man, many hundreds of names could be added. There was not a happier man alive when the ceasefire was announced and now that it is in its twelfth year I keep my fingers crossed and pray to God that it will continue. A little poem I wrote about the ceasefire:

The Barley Shakes No More.

The wind that shook the barley, is now calm and still,
The widowed mother prays aloud that it forever will,
It took her son, her only one, on that cold Sunday morn,
In Derry town, that bloody day, when the ‘ Troubles’ were reborn.

Where Irishmen killed Irishmen, for an ignoble cause,
With both sides causing mayhem, with just or unjust laws.
Three hundred years and maybe more – is such a long, long time,
To ruin that lovely emerald isle, that you and I call mine.

‘ Another policeman shot today’, the TV newsman said,
‘ A nobleman and soldiers, were bombed and are now dead’,
A further shooting, another bomb, another fearsome blast,
Another day, another year, I pray to God it’s past.

You men of words and splendid deeds, and pastimes with the gun,
Bring renewed hope to each of us with every rising sun.
That peaceful isle, the welcome smile, that our forefathers knew,
The hopes and fears of honest men, now truly rest with you,

The wind that shakes the barley, I hope you’re no more seen,
I pray to God, that it leaves Peace, in this fair land so green.
But if someone, his silent gun, may cause that wind to blow,
I’ll curse the name, the one to blame, who’ll reap what he did sow.



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Answer 2

Being Irish (not always necessary)
Being Catholic (not always necessary)
Wanting to fight against oppression of the Catholics in Northern Ireland. (necessary)
Believing in what you are fighting for.

The IRA are seen as a terrorist group, but if it hadn't been for them then Catholics would still be killed for their religion, 6 families would be crammed into a 4 bedroom house and they still wouldn't be able to vote or be in high paying, high social status jobs!

Answer 3

dude, no one will tell u over the web. im irish american, and am fiercly proud, but that's a terrorist group