In what ways can we denote changes in Irish republican thinking! This
paper is an attempt to answer this question through examining the shif
t in republican strategy in recent years. First, we describe the more
militaristic approaches undertaken by Sinn Fein and the Provisional Ir
ish Republican Army prior to the 1994 cease-fire. Second, we analyse t
he new alliances Sinn Fein forged during a period of self-identified p
olitical pragmatism. Third, we acknowledge and explain the re-definiti
on not only of discourse but also language and imagery which has been
used in recent years to form a vocabulary for peace and national recon
ciliation. Although, the cease-fire has been broken, as indicated by t
he Canary Wharf and Manchester bombings, much of what was achieved in
terms of political re-direction is still popular within republican cir
cles. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.