In 1916, an unofficial military force was established, aimed at gaining independence, and unity, among all thirty-two counties on the island of Ireland. This organization was called the Irish Republican Army. Their belief was that Britain had stolen both their land and their rights. The IRA took it upon themselves as both their right, and their duty to fight for their independence. The IRA has used violence, political reform, and treaties to obtain some of their …showed first 75 words of 1298 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1298 total…in negotiations. Another eighteen months later, new hope arrived with a new British Government. Prime Minister Tony Blaire and the Labour party were elected to parliament. This new hope was demonstrated on July 21, 1972, when the IRA announced a restoration of it's cease fire, allowing Sinn Fein to take its place at the all-party talks at Stormont, for the fist time since 1972. In September 1997 formal peace talks began, aimed at ending the violence in Northern Ireland.