Stuff You Should Know What were the IRA hunger strikes?
Jun 16, 2022
In the early 1980s, IRA members launched a hunger strike, leading to the tragic deaths of ten men. The discussion dives into the historical significance and cultural roots of hunger strikes in Ireland. It examines the intense emotional impact on both the participants and the broader nationalist community. The podcast also explores the powerful legacy of figures like Bobby Sands and their role in the fight for political recognition. Light-hearted anecdotes about listener feedback and squirrels provide an amusing contrast to the heavy themes.
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Suffragette Hunger Strikes
- In the early 1900s, suffragettes used hunger strikes, often incorporating religious imagery.
- They aimed to be seen as political prisoners, not criminals, and to draw public attention to their cause.
The Brutality and Goals of Hunger Strikes
- Force-feeding, a counter-measure to hunger strikes, sometimes proved fatal, highlighting the brutal nature of the tactic.
- The primary goal of these hunger strikes, both for suffragettes and later IRA members, was recognition as political prisoners.
Early IRA Hunger Strikes
- IRA hunger strikes drew inspiration from suffragettes, with James Connolly's 1913 strike leading to his release.
- Thomas Ashe's hunger strike gained national attention when he died from accidental force-feeding.