The Contested Identities of Ulster Protestants

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

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2. Introduction

   • Thomas Paul Burgess, Gareth Mulvenna

   Pages 1-8

3. Beginning to Talk to ‘Billy’: Revising Southern Stereotypes of Unionism

   • Eoghan Harris

   Pages 9-23

4. Investigating the Protestant ‘Kaleidoscope’

   • Henry McDonald

   Pages 24-30

5. Lost in Translation: Loyalism and the Media

   • Malachi O’Doherty

   Pages 31-38

6. Typical Unionists? The Politicians and their People, Past and Present

   • James Greer

   Pages 39-54

7. ‘Doing Their Bit’: Gendering the Constitution of Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist Identities

   • Fidelma Ashe, Caireen McCluskey

   Pages 55-69

8. The Re-invention of the Orange Order: Triumphalism or Orangefest?

   • Reverend Brian Kennaway

   Pages 70-82

9. Loyalism On Film and Out of Context

   • Stephen Baker

   Pages 83-97

10. This Sporting Life: Anything to Declare? Community Allegiance, Sports and the National Question

    • Thomas Paul Burgess

    Pages 98-112

11. No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care: What Is to Be (Un) Done about Ulster Protestant Identity?

    • Robbie McVeigh

    Pages 113-133

12. Celebration and Controversy in America: At Home with the Scots-Irish Diaspora

    • John Wilson, Alister McReynolds

    Pages 134-146

13. Convergence

    • Graham Reid

    Pages 147-158

14. Labour Aristocracies, Triumphalism and Melancholy: Misconceptions of the Protestant Working-Class and Loyalist Community

    • Gareth Mulvenna

    Pages 159-176

15. To the Beat of a Different Drum: Loyalist Youth and the Culture of Marching Bands

    • Sam McCready, Neil Symington

    Pages 177-190

16. Blood Sacrifice for Queen and Country: Paramilitarism and Political Manoeuvrings

    • Billy Hutchinson

    Pages 191-206

17. Back Matter

    Pages 207-209

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This study explores the idea voiced by journalist Henry McDonald that the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist tribes of Ulster are '…the least fashionable community in Western Europe'. A cast of contributors including prominent politicians, academics, journalists and artists explore the reasons informing public perceptions attached to this community.

• constitution
• gender
• Protest
• British Politics

'Confident societies tend not to obsess about identity. But Northern Ireland does. The identity which is most debated at present is that of northern Protestants. Contested Identities is a timely and thought-provoking series of essays exploring the various

manifestations of that identity. As such it will immeasurably assist our understanding of a community which often feels misunderstood and marginalised.'

Professor Marianne Elliott, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, UK

'The Ulster Protestant identity is complex and often misunderstood. This work offers an insight into many aspects of a culture which is diverse and unpredictable. Much will surprise. An important book, which will enlighten many who have a narrow view of the 'Ulster Prod'.'

Ken Reid, Political Editor, Ulster Television, UK

'This volume provides much-needed depth, context, dimensions and empathy.'

Alasdair McKillop, Scottish Review of Books

• School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Ireland

  Thomas Paul Burgess

• School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy, Queen’s University Belfast, UK

  Gareth Mulvenna

Robbie McVeigh, Independent Scholar, UK Henry McDonald, The Observer Eoghan Harris, Sunday Independent Billy Hutchinson, Progressive Unionist Party in Northern Ireland Brian Kennaway, Irish Association for Cultural, Economic, and Social Relations Dr Stephen Baker, University of Ulster, UK Graham Reid, Independent Scholar, U Fidelma Ashe, University of Ulster, UK Caireen McCluskey, Independent Scholar, UK John Wilson, University of Ulster, UK Alistair J. McReynolds University of Ulster, UK James Greer, Queen's University Belfast, UK Neil Symington, Independent Scholar, UK Dr. Paul Burgess, University College Cork, Ireland Dr Gareth Mulvenna, Queen's University Belfast, UK

Policies and ethics