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Glite Dictionary
Real Irish Republican Army

Real Irish Republican Army

8.6
A small armed Irish group that uses bombs and guns to oppose peace talks
  • proper noun
  • Offensive
translation icon : Real IRA
  • The Real Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Examples

  • Authorities believe the Real Irish Republican Army remains active despite years of security crackdowns.

  • The Real Irish Republican Army was formed in 1997.

  • After splitting from the main group, the Real Irish Republican Army continued to oppose the peace process.

  • Many people fear the Real Irish Republican Army due to its history.

  • After splitting from the main group, the Real Irish Republican Army continued to oppose the peace process.

  • Authorities believe the Real Irish Republican Army remains active despite years of security crackdowns.

  • The Real Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Synonyms

RIRA
vsReal Irish Republican Army
9.9

An armed Irish group that opposes peace agreements and uses violence

is best known for carrying out terrorist attacks rather than just continuing militancy
Real IRA
vsReal Irish Republican Army
  • Offensive
9.9

A violent Irish group that formed in 1997 and used bombs and attacks

is primarily identified by opposition to peace deals rather than origin
Dissident Irish Republican Army
vsReal Irish Republican Army
  • NSFW
9.9

An armed group that split from the Provisional IRA in 1997 and uses violence against the Northern Ireland peace process

refers to the specific 1997 breakaway group known for terrorist attacks

Surface Forms

Real Irish Republican Army main

Morphology

real + Irish + republican + army

The constituent words clearly indicate an army associated with Irish republicans, so a B1 learner who knows 'real', 'Irish', 'republican' and 'army' can infer it refers to an (authentic) Irish republican military group. However, as a proper name it encodes specific historical and political nuances (a dissident, breakaway paramilitary organization with violent/terrorist activity) that are not predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Real Irish Republican Army began when members split from the Provisional IRA in 1997 and put Real in the name to claim they were 'the true' IRA. Because they rejected peace deals and carried out violent attacks, the name now means a separate armed group that was against the peace process.