Barry, Jonathan
(2025)
Heritage and Iden,ty in Loyalist Ulster: A Historical Analysis.
Research master thesis, Master Research Master Theologie en Religiewetenschappen.
Abstract
Northern Ireland is a land that is haunted by its own history and the spectre of sectarianism is ogen
looming over it. Northern Irish loyalism is an ogen ignored and forgo_en iden^ty with its heritage and
history being overlooked by the more a_rac^ve and straighhorward Irish republican narra^ves taking
centre stage. This thesis is a historiographical overview of how Irish loyalism emerged as an iden^ty
group, examining and analysing the historical events that have shaped its birth and the abuse it feels
it has suffered during its existence. History to many people appears to be a series of isolated events
with no apparent connec^on and is ogen thought of in abstract ways. This thesis demonstrates how
historical events are interlinked, leading us to the present day and the real-world problems we are
confronted with. It also examines how history is not simply a means of how iden^^es make sense and
understand who they are but also who they someday may become in the future. It is also one of my
main objec^ves to gain insight into how compe^^ve vic^mhood emerges and analyse how it impacts
an iden^^es behaviour and aYtudes towards daun^ng ideas such as the future. This is not simply a
historical narra^on of vic^mhood as the events occurred but providing analysis as to how iden^ty
groups have shaped their collec^ve responses and informed them of their past heritage. The purpose
of this thesis is to demonstrate how an iden^ty is formed out of history and how a community gains a
collec^ve consciousness about their heritage and future group des^ny.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Research master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Research Master Theologie en Religiewetenschappen |
| Academic year: |
2024-2025 |
| Date of delivery: |
03 Feb 2026 10:48 |
| Last modified: |
03 Feb 2026 10:48 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/863 |
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