Wise, Jon Bantry Bay to the Troubles

The Royal Navy and Ireland from the 1700s to the Present

For centuries, Ireland was Great Britains nearest colonysituated practically on its own doorstep. The countrys incorporation into the United Kingdom in 1801the starting point of this accountmarked the beginning of a long era in which the Royal Navy performed a defensive role, contending with both domestic nationalist aspirations for independence and the constant threat of foreign invasion. Furthermore, Irelands geographical location later made the island a pivotal theater for the Navys anti-submarine operations during the two World Wars. Following Irelands independence in 1922, the Royal Navy supported the fledgling Irish Free State through vital coastal operations aiding the army and police, even though these measures often met with resistance from nationalist circles. This role continued even after the Republic of Ireland was established in 1949 and Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom. The final section of the book focuses on "Operation Grenada," which aimed to interdict the smuggling of illegal weapons into Northern Ireland during the Troubles; the Navys role in this deterrence patrol spanned 36 years. The legacy of what some still regard as colonial subjugation made this task consistently challengingcomplicated by the fact that, as G. K. Chesterton observed, "the English never remember anything, and the Irish never forget anything." Although much has been written about the relationship between Great Britain and Ireland, a comprehensive account of the key role played by the Royal Navy in this significant historical context has hitherto been lacking. This work fills that gap, telling a compelling story filled with political tensions and dramatic naval operations.