The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the Troubles.
The Troubles – historical ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998. Also known internationally as the Northern Ireland conflict, it is sometimes described as an "irregular war" or "low-level war". The conflict began in the late 1960s and is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Although the Troubles mostly took place in Northern Ireland, at times violence spilled over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and mainland Europe.
Laws in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK proscribe (ban) membership of a number of Irish republican and Ulster loyalist groups. Several other smaller paramilitary factions have appeared throughout the Troubles, and some groups have used cover-names to deflect responsibility for attacks.
In this context, operational refers to the period during which the 'official' paramilitary campaign was conducted.
Umbrella groups
Umbrella groups
In the table below:
Listing includes brief summary of ideology and position on the Good Friday Agreement 1998.
1921–1972
1998–
1921–1972
The Parliament of Northern Ireland:
1972–1998
1998–