DUP, 91 Dundela Avenue, Belfast BT4 3BU

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is the largest political party in Northern Ireland. Established by Ian Paisley and Desmond Boal, the party has long been seen as a hard-line supporter of the Unionist cause. In 2003, it achieved an electoral breakthrough, displacing the Ulster Unionists in the elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and becoming the Province's largest party. Ian Paisley was subsequently sworn in as Northern Ireland's First Minister in 2007. Sources: www.cain.ulster.ac.uk; www.dup.org.uk