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Death in Derry: Martin McGuinness and the Derry IRA’s War Against the British
‘I was in the Army over thirty years and Derry was the most resentful place I ever served, even the dogs hated us.’
When civil rights protests in the 1960s gave way to armed struggle, the Provisional IRA in Derry – both city and county – led the fight against the British security forces. In the city Martin McGuinness – a young butcher’s assistant from the Bogside – quickly rose through the ranks, launching a bombing campaign that reduced the city centre to rubble. In tandem, the IRA’s active service units fought the British Army in the streets and alleys of the Bogside, Creggan, Shantallow and the Waterside. Out in the townlands, a new generation from the county’s traditional republican families waged an equally ruthless war against their neighbours in the RUC and UDR. The Derry Brigade’s success would help propel McGuinness to the very top of the IRA’s Army Council.
By the early 1980s the Derry Brigade appeared untouchable. However, in reality, Special Branch and British Intelligence had infiltrated it from top to bottom and almost destroyed the brigade. By the mid-1990s its war was all but over, its ranks decimated by death and incarceration. This is the story of that war told by those from all sides who survived it.
When civil rights protests in the 1960s gave way to armed struggle, the Provisional IRA in Derry – both city and county – led the fight against the British security forces. In the city Martin McGuinness – a young butcher’s assistant from the Bogside – quickly rose through the ranks, launching a bombing campaign that reduced the city centre to rubble. In tandem, the IRA’s active service units fought the British Army in the streets and alleys of the Bogside, Creggan, Shantallow and the Waterside. Out in the townlands, a new generation from the county’s traditional republican families waged an equally ruthless war against their neighbours in the RUC and UDR. The Derry Brigade’s success would help propel McGuinness to the very top of the IRA’s Army Council.
By the early 1980s the Derry Brigade appeared untouchable. However, in reality, Special Branch and British Intelligence had infiltrated it from top to bottom and almost destroyed the brigade. By the mid-1990s its war was all but over, its ranks decimated by death and incarceration. This is the story of that war told by those from all sides who survived it.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 22, 2025
This is a highly readable and informative account of the subject, but I would also recommend supplementing it with other sources, including some fiction of the period such as Milkman by Anna Burns, for example, to really get the feeling of oppression for people who lived it.
So many unnecessary deaths and ruined lives.
So many unnecessary deaths and ruined lives.
August 6, 2025
Death in Derry is gripping and accessible. However I think because the book includes testimonies of many different people—soldiers, police, and other IRA members, it can sometimes make McGuinness himself feel less present..
October 18, 2025
The analysis in Civil Rights to Armalites is better at providing a detailed account of the Troubles in Derry, but the oral histories in this book are incredible.
In my opinion McGuinness was a shrewd and efficient operator but like Adams ended up being in it for himself and 100% knew he was betraying people very often.
In my opinion McGuinness was a shrewd and efficient operator but like Adams ended up being in it for himself and 100% knew he was betraying people very often.
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July 3, 2025I’m not far into this and the research isn’t looking good so far.
“ … Derry’s shipyard fell out of favour, eventually closing in 1924 with the loss of 2,000 jobs. The shipyard was followed into oblivion by the ferry to Glasgow …”
This is true but the ferry to Glasgow continued until 196 - some time later. I vaguely remember sailing from Derry to Glasgow probably in the early 1960s. I would have been 6-7 years old.
On the following page:
“ … closing the RAF base at Ballykelly in 1968, with the loss of 300-plus jobs.”
RAF Ballykelly closed in 1971 when it became Shackleton Barracks. I was at school in Limavady with quite a few kids whose parents were stationed there until I left in 1971.
Later on he talks about a job at ‘Eglington’ airport. It’s Eglinton. I lived there for several years.
He also mentions Derry/ (stroke) Londonderry being known as Stroke City without crediting the late great broadcaster Gerry Anderson who actually coined the phrase.
All in all I’d say there’s not much new here. There’s more about activities in County Derry than the city itself, and that’s mostly little more than listing.
There anre no revelations about McGuinness. The truth about whether he was a British agent is locked up in files that won’t be released for the foreseeable future - if ever. There’s plenty of evidence that he was and I know what I think.
“ … Derry’s shipyard fell out of favour, eventually closing in 1924 with the loss of 2,000 jobs. The shipyard was followed into oblivion by the ferry to Glasgow …”
This is true but the ferry to Glasgow continued until 196 - some time later. I vaguely remember sailing from Derry to Glasgow probably in the early 1960s. I would have been 6-7 years old.
On the following page:
“ … closing the RAF base at Ballykelly in 1968, with the loss of 300-plus jobs.”
RAF Ballykelly closed in 1971 when it became Shackleton Barracks. I was at school in Limavady with quite a few kids whose parents were stationed there until I left in 1971.
Later on he talks about a job at ‘Eglington’ airport. It’s Eglinton. I lived there for several years.
He also mentions Derry/ (stroke) Londonderry being known as Stroke City without crediting the late great broadcaster Gerry Anderson who actually coined the phrase.
All in all I’d say there’s not much new here. There’s more about activities in County Derry than the city itself, and that’s mostly little more than listing.
There anre no revelations about McGuinness. The truth about whether he was a British agent is locked up in files that won’t be released for the foreseeable future - if ever. There’s plenty of evidence that he was and I know what I think.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews