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A Secret History of the IRA
Paperback
Published August 26, 2003
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About the author
Ed Moloney
11 books42 followersEd Moloney is an Irish journalist and author best known for his coverage of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the activities of the Provisional IRA, in particular.
He worked for the Hibernia magazine and Magill before going on to serve as Northern Ireland editor for The Irish Times and subsequently for the Sunday Tribune. He is currently living and working in New York. His first book, Paisley, was a biography of Unionist leader Ian Paisley, co-authored by Andy Pollak, and published in 1986.
In 2002, he published a best selling history of the Provisional IRA, A Secret History of the IRA. A second edition of the book was published in July 2007. This was followed, in 2008, by a new edition of Paisley: From Demagogue to Democrat?, of which Moloney is the single author.
In 1999, he was voted Irish Journalist of the Year. In March 2010, the book 'Voices from the Grave' was published, which featured interviews with Brendan Hughes and David Ervine, compiled by researchers for Boston College. He based the book on the interviews given by Hughes and Ervine. Excerpts from the book published by The Sunday Times relate to Hughes discussing his role and that of Gerry Adams in the PIRA.
He worked for the Hibernia magazine and Magill before going on to serve as Northern Ireland editor for The Irish Times and subsequently for the Sunday Tribune. He is currently living and working in New York. His first book, Paisley, was a biography of Unionist leader Ian Paisley, co-authored by Andy Pollak, and published in 1986.
In 2002, he published a best selling history of the Provisional IRA, A Secret History of the IRA. A second edition of the book was published in July 2007. This was followed, in 2008, by a new edition of Paisley: From Demagogue to Democrat?, of which Moloney is the single author.
In 1999, he was voted Irish Journalist of the Year. In March 2010, the book 'Voices from the Grave' was published, which featured interviews with Brendan Hughes and David Ervine, compiled by researchers for Boston College. He based the book on the interviews given by Hughes and Ervine. Excerpts from the book published by The Sunday Times relate to Hughes discussing his role and that of Gerry Adams in the PIRA.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 27, 2025
The book is a deep dive into the history of the IRA and their struggle to drive the British out of Northern Ireland. The author reveals the IRA to be fractured group of armed fighters. A group that is divided, paranoid, and easily infiltrated by British forces.
Gerry Adams, an IRA leader, turns his back on traditional IRA tenets of armed conflict and begins the long road to a political solution. Adams betrayed the long held belief that only through military operations would peace come to Northern Ireland. No matter what you might think of Adams, he did play a large role in bringing the conflict to an end.
I book I would definitely recommend to help understand the complicated history of the Troubles.
Gerry Adams, an IRA leader, turns his back on traditional IRA tenets of armed conflict and begins the long road to a political solution. Adams betrayed the long held belief that only through military operations would peace come to Northern Ireland. No matter what you might think of Adams, he did play a large role in bringing the conflict to an end.
I book I would definitely recommend to help understand the complicated history of the Troubles.
Displaying 1 of 1 review