Why did some Americans support and sponsor the IRA in the eighties?

Answer 1

Because many Irish emigrated to America following the potato famine. A large proportion ended up in New York State. Unfortunately due to the passage of time and a little help from Hollywood the "struggle against British oppression" and the Irish Republican Army gained legendary status on a par with Robin Hood.

Hence when a "charitable organisation" known as NORAID was formed in the USA it had no problem in gaining a large following amongst the descendants of the original Irish immigrants. Known IRA terrorists were regular speakers at fundraising rallies in the USA whilst at home British troops were being gunned down with weapons bought using the money supplied by NORAID.

The fact that the average American had up until that time had little or no first hand experience of terrorism was also a major plus point.The fact that the American administration turned a blind eye to this fundraising did not help the situation.

Having served in N. Ireland you will perhaps forgive me when I say I find the American "war on terror" a little hypocritical.

Answer 2

Because IRA supporter fled illegally to the Atlantic coast states and became activists in the Irish communities in cities like Boston and New York. Their activism included fund raising for terrorist activities. Their American support was limited to Irish-Americans, but that population is huge in those 2 cities in particular. They didn't really change any minds, they played to a sympathetic audience that already existed. The British were not popular among the American Irish. They thought the British intentionally starved the Irish during by the potato famine. The IRA had a built-in base in the U.S. People think the illegal immigrants to the U.S. are Mexican, but the Irish are also a large number of illegals.

Answer 3

Because they thought Gerry Adams was Grizzly Adams little brother.

Seriously though, I don't know. But it's safe to say that 9/11, shocking as it was, played a significant part in achieving peace in Northern Ireland because those Americans that supported Noraid realised exactly what it was they were supporting and lost the will to do so. This cost the IRA money and any kind of sympathy in the US and led them to the negotiating table.

Answer 4

It all goes back to the Potato Blight. It didn't start in the 80s and it went on until 9/11 when the US started shouting about countries supporting terrorists. That's when they had to look at their own 'Irish' Catholics.
As soon as a US president is inaugurated, most of them rush off to Ireland and claim Irish ancestry.
Don't get me wrong, I'm English and I think dividing off the 6 Counties was one of the biggest male hen-ups) of the 20th Century. However, I still ask myself what the 'special relationship' really means.

Answer 5

Because many believed in their cause and many still do.
That was about the only the good thing that did come out of 9/11 it stopped the IRA in their tracks because you cant support one group that kills innocent civilians while tracking down another.

Answer 6

I must remind Felicity it was not the 6 counties that were set up. They were always part of the UK, it was the other 26 counties of ireland that seperated from UK. The reason the 6 counties (Northern Ireland) remained part of UK was because thats what majority in those 6 counties wanted. There are 2 different communities living on ireland, Both Northern ireland and Republic of Ireland were set up for each. You cant just say 1 community must disappear or all live in same country.

Answer 7

Because many of the Irish fled to America due to the famine and when the British came in many more fled because they were being accused of terrorism and were executed. This meant the American population had a significant Irish popoulation. They supported the IRA because they were trying to free the Irish people from oppression.

Some of my family were murdered by British troops during the troubles because they were 'involved' in terrorism. They took part in a PEACEFUL protest and the next morning the British troops broke into their house beat them, arrested them and eventually executed them.

It doesn't matter that the British and Americans are killing innocent people in Iraq though.

Answer 8

Probably family prejudices and resentments going back generations, may account for it.
Can this really go back to the Battle of the Boyne in the 1690s? I have to say...its hard to believe the "home rule vs Republic" stances could matter to anyone here in the states. But we helped perpetuate a cruel and bloody war - to no good end.

Answer 9

They were Irish Americans and I guess they don't like the Brits The British wanted us to step on their civil rights and cut off the money ,can't do that can we!

Answer 10

They didn't understand it- they thought they were supporting an Irish 'peoples group' that were fighting desperately to keep the British completely out of Ireland. They didn't know that half the population involved were against them.
When they got their money from the people in the USA they wouldn't have said it was to kill people, including innocent people!