Introduction

This Introduction sets up the key themes and arguments of this book on the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM). It describes the formative influence of the Cold War, as well as the critical locality of national politics to the development of the movement in Ireland. It assesses the lack of historiographical work on the IAAM in global anti-Apartheid terms, while acknowledging some existing engagement from Irish scholars. It identifies the critical role of Kader Asmal (1934–2011), who would go on to be a Minister in the governments of Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, which can be seen as a legacy of the IAAM. This Introduction also discusses the IAAM’s broader interest in the region of southern Africa, the significance of different kinds of boycott, the power of racism, the multifariousness of support for the struggle against Apartheid in Ireland, Asmal’s perceived control of the movement, as well as the sources drawn on throughout this book.