IRA
abbreviation /ˌaɪ ɑːr ˈeɪ/
/ˌaɪ ɑːr ˈeɪ/
- the abbreviation for ‘Irish Republican Army’ (an organization that has fought for Northern Ireland to be united with the Republic of Ireland)CultureThe IRA was formed in 1919, but became more active after 1968, when British soldiers began to be based in Northern Ireland. During this period of the Troubles, the IRA committed many acts of violence in Northern Ireland, England and other countries. In 1994 a ceasefire (= a period during which there is no fighting) was declared, which ended in 1996 but was declared again in 1997. In 2005 the IRA ordered an end to its armed campaign and announced that it had given up all weapons. The military part of the IRA is often referred to as the Provisional IRA (also called the Provisionals or the Provos). Sinn Fein is sometimes called the ‘political wing of the IRA’.see also INLA