Is there any difference between the Provisional Irish Republican Army and the Irish Republican Army?

Question

Or is it the same thing?

Answer 1

The Provos (Provisional IRA) are a branch of the IRA.

The IRA broke into 2 groups in the late 60's, the Provos and the Official IRA.

However the "Official IRA" sort of died out.

When you hear the term IRA what is usually being referred to are the Provos.

Then in the 80's the "Continuity IRA" broke away from the Provos.

Then in the mid-nineties the "Real IRA" broke away from the Continuity IRA.

The Real IRA are the ones who cause most of the trouble these days. They where responsible for the Omagh bombing.

Answer 2

The very first Irish Republican Army was an organization that fought for Ireland's independence during and just after WW1. Many of their leaders and members formed the Irish National Army in the ensuing new republic.

Confusingly, a new Irish Republican Army formed soon after, using the name of the originals. They fought against the Irish who signed a compromise treaty with the British (including the Irish National Army and their old comrades).

This Irish Republican Army lasted until 1969, when it split up - the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA were formed. The Official IRA were Marxist, the PIRA were more traditionalist republicans. While the OIRA faded into relative obscurity, the PIRA embarked upon a messy thirty year campaign in the UK, predominantly Northern Ireland.