Did 9/11 directly contribute to the good friday agreement in Northern Ireland?

Question

Only a young pup myself, so im ignorant to age old confilcts and ive been trying to learn the epic history of the troubles in Ireland. I read books from both sides of the spectrum to gain a wider knowledge, Cromwells atrocities, Protestant massacres preceding etc etc .. but in more recent article i read, that alot of American money paid for the IRA campaign, with many Americans having Irish ancestry and nursing older prejudices.. In a nutshell, to any older and wiser people than me. (and hopefully not indoctrinated to anyones "side") Is it true that the Terrible events of 9/11 hugely contributed to the peace treaty taking effect in Northern Ireland, following a sudden halt of widespread support to the IRA from citizens in the USA?

Great answers off everyone, thank-you. And it was 3 years prior.. so not directly. And to Uncle B, i read a history book by an Irish woman written in 1988, and she said that there could never be a united Ireland because people are so strongly indoctrinated, that if the Irish did take charge of the North, the Loyalist areas would inevitably resist and then thousands would die in civil war. Sadly, for the human race... we seem to never ever forget generations old hatreds it seems. I blame religion. Maybe we can worship Ice cream...

Answer 1

First point, regarding the timescale of 9/11 and the Good Friday agreement. Remember the agreement was signed in 1998 and so was 3 years before the NY disasters. .

One view from the UK is that the turning point in the Troubles was the Enniskillen bombing of the people commemorating the dead of two World Wars. After that incident, Gerry Adams was allegedly reported as saying there had to be a better way than this, or words to that effect.

We will never know the real story but suffice it to say that the IRA seemed to be after a political solution for the next 10 years or so.

Let us just admire the current leaders of Northern Ireland who are working together, not long ago they were sworn enemies.

In the UK, let us not forget that settling differences between constituent parts of these islands has always been a bloody affair. We tend to forget the skirmishes and worse along the English borders with Wales and Scotland.

The resolution of the Irish issue is just the last bit of the British Isles jigsaw, a task taking many centuries.

Answer 2

The fact that The US rides the UK like a ***** meant that the provos sold out before they had the chance to get any reasonable demands, so yeah, they 9/11 events (and the stupid American **No such thing as IRISH americans*** "supporters" who will give us money then not do so for fear of being branded a terrorist) meant that the PIRA, the most successful IRA splinter of the 20th century, got sold out.

Answer 3

No, it isn't true. The Good Friday accord was signed on Good Friday 1998, whereas the 9/11 events took place in 2001. Furthermore, the events of 9/11 have their roots in the Middle East, where the events leading up to the Good Friday Accord were mainly localized between the factions in Northern Ireland (primarily between the predominantly Protestant "Unionists" who wanted to remain with Great Britain, and those wanting Northern Ireland to rejoin the Republic of Ireland in the south, and they are predominantly Catholic & "Republican".) I can understand your confusion though, as both conflicts are deeply rooted in religious conflict and the US has had an interest in both, for one reason or another.

Answer 4

9/11 shocked the Federal Administration out of its muddled non-policies, concerning the IRA. Before 9/11, the Administration paid lip service to international concerns and full attention to the American Irish Constituency.

Post 9/11, America needed the support of old allies, like Britain, so pragmatism took over.

There could be no justification for asking for anti-terrorist support, whilst permitting the financing of foreign terror groups, no matter what the politics. Thus funding for the IRA/Sinn Fein was throttled in quick time.

With no financial, or quasi political support from America, the IRA was effectively forced to re-evaluate its raison d'etre and tactics.

Therefore it is fair to say 9/11 did precipitate serious involvement in the Good Friday Agreement, by the Irish Republican Movement.......... and they continue to benefit.

Answer 5

The GFA predate 9/11 by 3 years, my friend. I'll agree that 9/11 had a large impact in decommissioning, though.

That being said, I still believe in my heart of hearts that there will one day exist a united 32-county Ireland. I don't know when or how it will come to exist, but I have faith that it will. As Bobby Sands once said, "Tiocfaidh ar la" ("Our day will come").

Answer 6

it certainly helped as the chief funder of the IRA was the US and they lost interest in supporting terrorism after 9/11.

Answer 7

irish people don't really give a toss what americans think after all the main support for the recent armed struggle came from our dear friend in lybia who saw it as a means to extend his diplomacy with little britain, fair play to him in any event

Answer 8

the Belfast Agreement was signed in 1998 before 9 11. but the terrorist attack on america assisted to bring about the eventuial disarmament of the IRA in 2005.

Answer 9

That wouldn't surprise me. After 9/11 everyone was being watched and scutinized. so for money to stop going to these organizations is believable.

Answer 10

no