The Anglo-Irish Agreement, signed on November 15, 1985, came as a shock to many Irish nationalists who had been fighting for Irish independence for decades. However, the agreement was not universally opposed by nationalists and there were those who actually supported it. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind nationalist support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that the agreement was a compromise that aimed to address the competing interests of the two communities in Northern Ireland. The agreement recognized the legitimacy of Northern Ireland’s status as a part of the United Kingdom, while also acknowledging the Irish government’s role in Northern Ireland. This recognition was seen as a major victory by some nationalists who had long sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Another reason why some nationalists supported the Anglo-Irish Agreement was the fact that it paved the way for greater cooperation between the Irish and British governments. The agreement established the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which provided a forum for the two governments to discuss issues affecting Northern Ireland. This was seen as a positive development by some nationalists who believed that greater cooperation between the Irish and British governments was essential to achieving a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

Moreover, the agreement was seen as a step towards addressing some of the injustices faced by nationalists in Northern Ireland. The agreement recognized the need to address issues such as discrimination in housing and employment, and promised to establish a new system for policing Northern Ireland. These commitments were seen as a sign that the British government was finally taking the concerns of nationalists seriously.

Finally, some nationalists saw the Anglo-Irish Agreement as a way to marginalize the more extreme elements within the republican movement. By recognizing the legitimacy of Northern Ireland’s status as a part of the United Kingdom, the agreement undercut the argument put forward by militant republicans that British rule in Northern Ireland was illegitimate. This, in turn, made it more difficult for these groups to gain popular support for their cause.

In conclusion, while the Anglo-Irish Agreement was widely opposed by many nationalists, there were those who saw it as a positive development. The recognition of Northern Ireland’s status as a part of the United Kingdom, greater cooperation between the Irish and British governments, and commitments to address issues affecting nationalists in Northern Ireland were all factors that contributed to this support. While the agreement ultimately did not bring about the lasting peace that many had hoped for, it was a significant step towards addressing the complex and longstanding issues in Northern Ireland.