THE ACTIVITIES OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) FROM 1968 TO 1974 ARE EMPHASIZED, INCLUDING IRA INTERNAL DISSENSIONS. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF IRELAND'S HISTORY FROM VIKING TIMES TO 1974 ARE SUMMARIZED IN AN EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND THE ACTIONS OF THE IRA AND THE REACTION OF THE BRITISH IN MODERN TIMES. WHAT IS PECULIAR TO THE IRA AS AN INSURGENCY IS ITS PERSISTENCE IN THE FACE OF FAILURE. BASED ON THE VARIABLES OUTLINED, SEVERAL ASSESSMENTS ARE MADE. AN OUTINE OF THE COMMAND AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE IRA REVEALS IT IS NOT CLOSELY KNIT AND LACKS A COHERENT POLICY. POPULAR SUPPORT FOR THE IRA HAS VARIED, AND THE REASONS FOR THIS IN PARTICULAR INSTANCES SUCH AS A BORDER CAMPAIGN (1956), THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT (LATE 1960'S) AND THE OFFENSIVE IN NORTHERN IRELAND (1970) ARE DETAILED. TERRORISM HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT THE BRITISH, BUT INDISCRIMINATE BOMBING DURING 1972-73 COST THE IRA THE UNIFIED ALLEGIANCE OF THE CATHOLIC PEOPLE. THERE IS NO HOPE OF MILITARY VICTORY, BUT THE IRA CONTINUES TO WORK TO TIRE THE BRITISH SO THEY WILL WITHDRAW. METHODS OF THIS WEARING DOWN ARE GIVEN, INCLUDING RIOTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND ASSASSINATIONS OF BRITISH SOLDIERS. EXTERNAL AID AND THE ENVIRONMENT BOTH HELP THE IRA. INTERNMENT AND BRITISH GOVERNMENT MEASURES ARE DISCUSSED, WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BRITISH HAVE SHOWN GREAT DETERMINATION IN DEALING WITH THIS INSURGENCY. PEACE IN NORTH IRELAND WILL SOME ONLY THROUGH A POLITICAL SOLUTION. EXTENVIVE FOOTNOTES AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY COMPLETE THE TEXT. (RFC)