Men and my Daddy

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is the largest loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland. For years it undertook a violent armed struggle against Republican movements and Catholic people. Since the Good Friday Agreement peace initiative was introduced in 1998, the organisation has attempted to reinvent itself and undertake a progressive community-friendly role. This has had some success, with the removal of aggressive murals and UDA members' engagement in cross-community programs with Republican neighbours who were once enemies. The biggest challenge for loyalist paramilitary organisations remains convincing boys and young men not to follow in their violent footsteps.