Historical Roots of Hunger Strikes

This chapter delves into the origins and cultural significance of hunger strikes within Celtic tradition, particularly examining their role in Gaelic society as acts of public protest. It connects the practice to the IRA hunger strikes of the 20th century, investigating the political ramifications of classifying prisoners as political versus criminal. The chapter also discusses the effectiveness of hunger strikes as a protest tool and the societal responses they evoke, highlighting important historical figures and cinematic portrayals of these events.