The author discusses how the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland captured international public attention during the 1968-1969 period, through some of the rhetorical efforts of its leaders. Prior to 1968 the Irish Republican Army movement faced problems of apathy among its followers and neglect by governments of both Northern Ireland and England. Leaders then decided that dramatic action was required to give the movement more necessary television exposure. In 1968, therefore, they embarked on strategies of agitation and confrontation, which attracted the attention of the media, especially when the Northern Ireland government overreacted to the situations. With their expanded visibility I.R.A. activists began to exercise some degree of sophistication in their use of the media to exploit the government reactions and win international sympathy for their cause. (Author/RN)