1.3.1.3 The Ulster Volunteer Force and the Curragh Incident

• In support of the Ulster Covenant, a militia called the Ulster Volunteer Force was created to protect the province. It was mainly formed of retired British army officers and was seen as a threat by the British government
• Anticipating trouble from the unionists, Britain wanted to prepare against armed confrontation. However, before an order could be made, British army officers garrisoned at Curragh and threatened to resign rather than force the unionists to accept home rule
• Significance of Curragh incident:

  1. Highlighted sympathy towards the unionists, even amongst the British army
  2. Gave the unionists greater confidence to challenge the proposed legislation
• The third home rule bill was passed in 1914 but immediately postponed because of the war. This decision gave the Ulster Unionists some comfort but antagonised many nationalists who believed the British government had never intended to grant home rule