Ulster loyalism

The term Ulster Loyalist is used to describe militant unionists from Northern Ireland. Unionists support continuing Northern Ireland's membership in the United Kingdom and oppose joining the Republic of Ireland in a united Ireland. Many Unionists do not, however, identify with the term Loyalist, as it has become synonymous with militant extremism, violence and terrorism. The term is also often used to describe the illegal paramilitary organisations which favour using terrorism to ensure that Northern Ireland remains in the United Kingdom.

Upon Irish independence in 1921, four of the nine counties of Ulster which had Protestant majorities opted to stay out of the independent Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland) and remain a part of the United Kingdom. Two other Ulster counties also remained, as their combined population still had a unionist majority.

The difference of opinion between Northern Ireland's Roman Catholic population, who mostly support leaving the United Kingdom in favour of uniting with the Republic of Ireland and its Protestant population who oppose joining the Republic of Ireland has led to a long-running bloody conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles. The majority of people who live in the region do not support paramilitaries of any ideology.

Loyalist political parties

The raising of loyalist flags is common during the summer months

*Progressive Unionist Party
*Ulster Democratic Party

Bigger parties like the Ulster Unionist or Democratic Unionist parties often referred to themselves as loyalist in the past (especially the latter), although in recent years they have moved away from this term, and now actively discourage its use.

Loyalist fraternities

*Orange Order
*Apprentice Boys of Derry

Loyalist paramilitary groups

*Ulster Volunteer Force
*Ulster Defence Association
*Loyalist Volunteer Force
*Orange Volunteers
*Red Hand Commandos
*Red Branch Knights
*Ulster Young Militants

Footnotes

Various opinion polls throughout the last few decades have indicated that a substantial minority of Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland favour the country remaining as part of the UK. This has varied from 20% to 32% of the Roman Catholic population.

Various opinion polls throughout the last few decades have indicated that a small minority of Protestants in Northern Ireland favour the country separating from the UK and joining the RoI (Republic of Ireland). This has varied widely in the Protestant population, depending on the poll.