Contested Identities of Ulster Protestants

Robbie McVeigh, Independent Scholar, UKHenry McDonald, The ObserverEoghan Harris, Sunday IndependentBilly Hutchinson, Progressive Unionist Party in Northern IrelandBrian Kennaway, Irish Association for Cultural, Economic, and Social RelationsDr Stephen Baker, University of Ulster, UKGraham Reid, Independent Scholar, UFidelma Ashe, University of Ulster, UK Caireen McCluskey, Independent Scholar, UKJohn Wilson, University of Ulster, UK Alistair J. McReynolds University of Ulster, UK James Greer, Queen's University Belfast, UKNeil Symington, Independent Scholar, UKDr. Paul Burgess, University College Cork, IrelandDr Gareth Mulvenna, Queen's University Belfast, UK

• Introduction – Paul Burgess and Gareth Mulvenna 1. Beginning to talk to 'Billy': Revising Southern Stereotypes of Unionism; Eoghan Harris 2. Investigating the Protestant 'Kaleidoscope'; Henry McDonald 3. Lost in Translation: Loyalism and the Media; Malachi O'Doherty 4. Typical Unionists? The Politicians and their People, Past and Present; James Greer 5. 'Doing Their Bit': Gendering the Constitution of Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist Identities; Fidelma Ashe and Caireen McCluskey 6. The Re-invention of the Orange Order: Triumphalism or Orangefest?; Brian Kennaway 7. Loyalism on Film and Out of Context; Stephen Baker 8. This Sporting Life: Anything to Declare? Community Allegiance, Sports and the National Question; Thomas Paul Burgess 9. No-One Likes Us, We Don't Care: What is to be (un) done about Ulster Protestant Identity?; Robbie McVeigh 10. Celebration and Controversy in America: At Home with the Scots-Irish Diaspora; John Wilson and Alister McReynolds 11. Convergence; Graham Reid 12. Labour Aristocracies, Triumphalism and Melancholy: Misconceptions of the Protestant Working Class and Loyalist Community; Gareth Mulvenna 13. To the Beat of a Different Drum; Loyalist Youth and the Culture of Marching Bands; Sam McCready and Neil Symington 14. Blood Sacrifice for Queen and Country: Paramilitarism and Political Manoeuvrings; Billy Hutchinson

'Confident societies tend not to obsess about identity. But Northern Ireland does. The identity which is most debated at present is that of northern Protestants. Contested Identities is a timely and thought-provoking series of essays exploring the variousmanifestations of that identity. As such it will immeasurably assist our understanding of a community which often feels misunderstood and marginalised.'Professor Marianne Elliott, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, UK'The Ulster Protestant identity is complex and often misunderstood. This work offers an insight into many aspects of a culture which is diverse and unpredictable. Much will surprise. An important book, which will enlighten many who have a narrow view of the 'Ulster Prod'.'Ken Reid, Political Editor, Ulster Television, UK'This volume provides much-needed depth, context, dimensions and empathy.'Alasdair McKillop, Scottish Review of Books