The Troubles were a conflict between two political factions in Northern Ireland, which began in the late 1960s and continued until 1998. One faction, who considered themselves loyalists, wanted to remain a part of the United Kingdom. The other, made up of Irish nationalists, wanted to join the Republic of Ireland. Although it was not a religious conflict, these two factions split mainly down religious lines, with the Catholics supporting joining Ireland and the Protestants wanting to remain with the United Kingdom. The conflict had complex roots and was bloody and devastating for Northern Ireland. The Troubles ended in 1998 with the adoption of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Irish Republican Army, a paramilitary organization, was originally formed in 1917 to fight the British for Irish independence, but changed, split, and reformed many times over the years. One faction, the Provisional Irish Republican Army, was the single most active entity during the Troubles, labeled a terrorist organization by the UK, and disavowed by the Republic of Ireland. At first, the organization was focused mainly on defending Catholic citizens. However, they soon moved on to the offensive, perpetrating bombings and attacks on the British army, as well as other political targets.