Unionist opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985
The Anglo-Irish Agreement, 1985 The governments in London and Dublin now feared that Sinn Féin would gain support at the expense of the SDLP. This allowed Garret Fitzgerald, then Taoiseach, to persuade Margaret Thatcher that a new agreement was needed. This was the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985. It was signed by both leaders at Hillsborough Castle, near Belfast. The agreement gave the government of the Irish Republic a say in running Northern Ireland. Unionists believed that they were sold out by the British Government and they were opposed to any
say by the Irish government in the affairs of Northern Ireland. In spite of very strong unionist opposition to the agreement, the British and Irish governments refused to give in. The agreement was a major step forward and formed the basis for progress towards peace after that.
Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald and British Prime
Minister, Margaret Thatcher, signing the Anglo-Irish
