Terrorism in Northern Ireland under English eyes: from the conspiracies to the Conspiracy

Abstract

Since the end of the Sixties, the so-called Irish Troubles have inspired in Ireland many literary works and films that have been studied at length. Less well known and often analyzed together with the Irish production are those English novels and action movies that exploit a Northern Irish setting, with scarce or no interest for the political facts of the conflict or, according to some critics, with a focused and deliberate use of stereotypes. However, Irish Troubles have recently brought forth in England a series of film and novels showing at the core of the events a conspiracy by the British intelligence. Therefore a fictional genre that in the past has been basically escapist, and often with a reactionary bent, like the thriller and the spy story, may also be seen and used now to denounce the false statements and undermine the official truths of the establishment.