Ulster Volunteer Force

Quick Facts: Who was Ulster Volunteer Force?

Subject:

Ulster Volunteer Force

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Ulster loyalist paramilitary group active during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group based in Northern Ireland. Formed in 1965, it first emerged in 1966. Its first leader was Gusty Spence, a Protestant former soldier in the Royal Ulster Rifles from Northern Ireland. The group undertook an armed campaign of almost thirty years during The Troubles, often coming into conflict with the Provisional Irish Republican Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It declared a ceasefire in 1994 and officially ended its campaign in 2007, although some of its members have continued to engage in violence and criminal activities.

Career & Major Achievements

The group is a proscribed organisation and is on the terrorist organisation list of the United Kingdom. The UVF's declared goals were to combat Irish republican paramilitaries – particularly the IRA – and to maintain Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom. It was responsible for more than 500 deaths. The vast majority (more than two-thirds) of its victims were Irish Catholic civilians, who were often killed at random. During the conflict, its deadliest attack in Northern Ireland was the 1971 McGurk's Bar bombing, which killed fifteen civilians.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The group also carried out attacks in the Republic of Ireland from 1969 onward. The biggest of these was the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34 civilians, making it the deadliest terrorist attack of the conflict. The no-warning car bombings had been carried out by units from the Belfast and Mid-Ulster brigades. The Mid-Ulster Brigade was also responsible for the 1975 Miami Showband killings, in which three members of the popular Irish cabaret band were shot dead at a bogus security checkpoint by gunmen wearing military uniforms. Two UVF men were accidentally blown up in this attack.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1965: 1965 Milestone — Formed in 1965, it first emerged in 1966.
2. 1969: 1969 Milestone — The group also carried out attacks in the Republic of Ireland from 1969 onward.
3. 1971: 1971 Milestone — During the conflict, its deadliest attack in Northern Ireland was the 1971 McGurk's Bar bombing, which killed fifteen civilians.
4. 1974: 1974 Milestone — The biggest of these was the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34 civilians, making it the deadliest terrorist attack of the conflict.
5. 1975: 1975 Milestone — The Mid-Ulster Brigade was also responsible for the 1975 Miami Showband killings, in which three members of the popular Irish cabaret band were shot dead at a bogus security checkpoint by gunmen wearing military uniforms.
6. 1994: 1994 Milestone — It declared a ceasefire in 1994 and officially ended its campaign in 2007, although some of its members have continued to engage in violence and criminal activities.

Notable Quotes by Ulster Volunteer Force

“From this day, we declare war against the Irish Republican Army and its splinter groups.” (1966)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ulster Volunteer Force

True or False: “The UVF's deadliest attack in Northern Ireland was the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The group's deadliest attack in Northern Ireland was the 1971 McGurk's Bar bombing.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ulster Volunteer Force