The First Northern Ireland Peace Process ─ Power-Sharing, Sunningdale and the Ira Ceasefires 1972-76

Using archival sources, including the papers of one of the Provisional IRA's Army Council, The First Northern Ireland Peace Process examines the attempt from 1972-76 to end the 'Troubles'. It also answers why this process failed. With parallels to the later Good Friday Agreement, the British and Irish Governments negotiated a power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland and an 'Irish Dimension'. The book examines this administration and also explores the secret talks, brokered by MI6, to persuade the Provisional IRA to end its armed struggle and enter into the political process.

Thomas Hennessey is Professor of Modern British and Irish History at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK. His previous publications include The Democratic Unionist Party: From Protest to Power (co-authored 2014); Hunger Strike: Mrs Thatcher's Battle with the IRA 1980-1981 (2013); and Britain's Korean War: Cold War Diplomacy, Strategy and Security 1950-53 (2013).