In late 2019, we hosted a 3-part series on an upcoming game called The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998. Through that process I came to appreciate the designer Hugh O’Donnell’s take on this difficult conflict and really felt he was going about dealing with the nature of this bloody war as tactfully as possible as well as simultaneously providing some enlightenment and understanding about some of the salient issues.

Here are links to those three posts:

Part 1 – Uncomfortable questions about a game on this subject

Part 2 – Look at the map and the process behind it’s creation and genesis of events

Part 3 – Design progress to date and what “victory” looks like?

After those posts were received well, we asked Hugh if he would be interested in doing a series of Event Card spoilers for the game. The game is not yet published but has finished playtesting and gone through near final art so we are getting closer.

*Please keep in mind that the artwork and layout of these cards is not yet finalized (although they are getting close).

The USA’s involvement in The Troubles: Harrison. In The Troubles, the Loyalist Paramilitaries (LOY) and Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) may establish one or more bases in Britain (maximum of two) which simulates the establishment of one or more Arms Deal networks that will have an incremental effect on the number of Resources and Funds for the establishing Faction at various stages in play.

The United States of America is used to represent the American-based arms network operated by George Harrison, which was initiated in the late 1960’s and operated until its removal in the early 1980’s. Only the IRA faction may benefit from the ‘Harrison’ development enhancement to the game’s simulated arms networks.

George Harrison died in 2004.

#40 Harrison Arms Network USA

Arms acquired originally for the 1950’s campaign. Smuggled to Ireland by the Harrison network. About 70 small arms: M1 carbines; M3 ‘grease guns’; some hand guns; 60,000 rounds of ammo. This card enables the play of the ‘Harrison’ Development.

George Harrison was a primary gun runner for the Irish Republican Army and Provisional Irish Republican Army from the 1950’s until 1981. At some point in the mid-1950’s, the IRA approached Liam Cotter and Harrison, who had become affiliated when they both spent time in the Clan na Gael and the James Connolly Club, about supplying them arms for their Border Campaign, a request which the pair accepted, starting their gun running career which would last for several decades. Harrison was able to source arms for the IRA through George de Meo, an Italian-American neighbor of his who had connections to the Mafia as well as gun runners who were supplying rebels in Cuba.

In 1962, Cotter and Harrison cut their ties with the IRA as it became apparent the Border Campaign was a failure. However, after the start of the Troubles, Dáithí Ó Conaill was able to convince them to support the Provisional IRA in 1970; once again, they began supplying arms to the IRA. Almost all smuggled guns went through the network run by Harrison. In 1975, Harrison appeared before a grand jury investigating arms trafficking; however, he was released without charge.

You can catch up on the series to date by following these links:

#34 Provisional IRA Formed

#63 Four Square Laundry/MRF

#24 RTÉ Television Centre Attack

#122 Brighton Hotel Bombing

#108 SAS – Peter Cleary

#103 General Election 1974 & #130 Labour Government: No Confidence

#20 People’s Democracy March: Burntollet

#108 Dublin and Monaghan Bombings

Triple Feature including #166 Shergar, #169 Don Tidey Kidnapping and #154 Ben Dunne Kidnapping

#31b Bernadette Devlin Elected

#114 Birmingham Pub Bombings

#2 The Hand of Friendship

#35 Prime Minister Terence O’Neill Resigns

#184 The Loughgall Ambush

#105R Enoch Powell’s Last Stand

#153 Blanket Protests

#174 Hunger Strikes Begin

#175 Death of Bobby Sands MP

#178 Hunger Strikes End

#180 Armalite and Ballot Box

As always thank you Hugh for this great insight into the history behind the game and the issues. One of the things that draws me to these irregular counter insurgency games is the learning of something about history and this game is going to shed some really interesting light on the subject for many who do not know much about the details.

We also posted an interview with Hugh on our blog and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2021/08/02/interview-with-hugh-odonnell-designer-of-the-troubles-shadow-war-in-northern-ireland-1964-1998-from-compass-games/

If you are interested in The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998, you can pre-order a copy for $85.00 from the Compass Games website at the following link: https://www.compassgames.com/product/the-troubles-shadow-war-in-northern-ireland-pay-later/?sfw=pass1718299181

-Grant