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30 years ago today....

24567…25

Comments

  • #32
    Notorious97
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭Notorious97


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    No, its very balanced these days, I studied the north for my LC, was very airbrushed, focused heavily on SDLP, left out huge swathes of what happened.

    True, my history for my LC didn’t glorify the troubles from a republican point of view, i read alot of history books outside of what was on the schools list, helped me learn alot more about Ireland than i thought i knew, and im still learning loads these days from new books i read

    Fair play on the thread Wolfe Tone, as the original Wolfe Tone said himself back in the day......

    “Many suffer so that some day all Irish people may know justice and peace.." Theobald Wolfe Tone


  • #33
    syklops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    Pherekydes wrote: »
    My parents told me I was named after a hunger striker.

    Terence MacSwiney

    Born 28 March 1879
    Died 25 October 1920 (aged 41)

    After 74 days on hunger strike. 74 ****ing days? Jesus, I can't go without rubbish for lent.

    I'm related to him! :cool:


  • #34
    Rabidlamb
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭Rabidlamb


    Martin Hurson (28th May), survived for 46 days

    This chap didn't stock up before he started.
    Poor effort all round.


  • #35
    Wolfe Tone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    OSI wrote: »
    Bull****. I did my Leaving 5 years ago and the content was very one sided in favour of making certain people look like persecuted heroes.
    I did mine last year, did the specific topic on the north, with the official book.


  • #36
    Ledger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭Ledger


    It was terrible injustice from the British Govt that forced Bobby Sands to take arms.

    It was not just as simple as possesion, they were just trying to get republicans on any kind of charge they could so they could lock them up and try to silence them.


    There was a piece of graffiti on a wall in waterford city a while ago that always caught my eye. It's gone now but here's how it looked:

    Let
    Her
    Bobby Sands RIP


    RIP Bobby Sands


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  • #37
    Jimmy the Wheel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Jimmy the Wheel


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    I did mine last year, did the specific topic on the north, with the official book.

    Read a book called 10 Men Dead, if you haven't already.

    It'll outline how the IRA were a depleted force at the end of the 70's, and how the Hunger Strikes swelled IRA membership, allowing the war to continue as it did until the 90's.

    So, a bit of a poisoned legacy, depending how you choose to look at it.

    And I know how things were at the time, re; the 'Brits', having grown up in Dundalk and Crossmaglen during the seventies and eighties, but that doesn't mean I'll support a legacy of violence.


  • #38
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    I think your general memories, and the attitudes displayed by those around you towards them at the time would be cool. Anything that comes to mind really.


    Ok, well I was only in my teens at the time. However growing up in Ballymun during the 70's and 80's mean't you weren't too far away from staunch republicans.

    During the years Ballymun had a lot of northern Irish refugee's.. That might come as a surprise to a lot of people here.. Originally these people were 'housed' in Gormanstown and The Curragh army camps before being re-homed in the likes of Ballymun and similar.

    They settled in well and became part and parcel of the community, so most of us identified somewhat with the troubles in the north of Ireland at the time.

    I remember 'hanging around' with one guy whose ankle was pinned after being shattered by a British plastic baton round, and one of the older men whose voice box was severely damaged after a hiding in (I think) Castlereagh interrogation centre.

    So anyway, thats just setting the scene in Ballymun at the time..

    I might add that there was also a lot of republican rallies in the area, and recruitment to Na Fianna Éireann was nearly a right of passage on some of the blocks. But I think I was just that little bit too young, or maybe they didn't like ginger kids :p

    So you can imagine when the hunger strikes started, I'll skip straight to the 1981 hunger strikes and Bobby Sands, there was massive support. With now daily rallies in the fields in Balcurris and Coultry Roads with speakers from SF, convicted IRA men and women and news from the north.

    I think everyone read An Phoblacht to get updates, and to read the back page 'war news' - there was some comic strip as well if I remember correctly.

    So, when Sands died.. I remember it like a member of the family dying. There was mass mourning from all the blocks (blocks of flats).. Women screaming, men, women and children marching in protest and everyone flying black flags from their window's (no one drove car's!!, or rather few did) and people wore black arm bands.

    Most of the older lads and men from the blocks went to the protests/riots at the British embassey and parnell Sq - I think there was a gathering at #44 which was broken up by AGS and army - but that may not be accurate.

    Ok, sorry for the really long post.. At the end of it all, there was graffiti everywhere - 'Ten Dead but not forgotten' and usually the names of the ten dead hunger strikers (I can still recall them, the order they died and their faces like it was only yesterday).

    At the time the dead were considered hero's, there was even more support for the armed struggle and Thatcher was the devil himself.

    Was that any use to you WT?.


  • #39
    orourkeda
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,918 ✭✭✭✭orourkeda


    Jimmy the Wheel wrote: »
    That made me hungry, reading that.

    So am I. A big pepperoni pizza would hit the spot.


  • #40
    orourkeda
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,918 ✭✭✭✭orourkeda


    History will teach us nothing.


  • #41
    Dj Stiggie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Dj Stiggie


    My mam was in primary school during the hunger strikes and her teacher was a very open supporter of Sands. Politics wasn't discussed in my ma's house so she didn't know about the strike.

    A girl said to my ma in class, "Did you hear about Bobby Sands?"

    My ma said, "Who's he? Is he from Leixlip Park?"

    The teacher overheard this and dug her engagement ring into my ma's temple and knocked her out. She came around a while later with the teacher and he sister standing over her.

    Such was the way of Catholic Ireland. However after years of distortion, I take the actual beating from the teacher with a pinch of salt.


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  • #42
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    No, its very balanced these days, I studied the north for my LC, was very airbrushed, focused heavily on SDLP, left out huge swathes of what happened.

    really? So what's your opinion on the IRA army council ordered the strike to continue despite the hunger strikers getting more concessions than they expected.

    I believe it was the last six that were sacrificed so "da cause" could get more publicity. There would probably have been more if it wasn't for the brave actions of the strikers families.


  • #43
    Sunnyisland
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,562 ✭✭✭✭Sunnyisland


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    My mam was in primary school during the hunger strikes and her teacher was a very open supporter of Sands. Politics wasn't discussed in my ma's house so she didn't know about the strike.

    A girl said to my ma in class, "Did you hear about Bobby Sands?"

    My ma said, "Who's he? Is he from Leixlip Park?"

    The teacher overheard this and dug her engagement ring into my ma's temple and knocked her out. She came around a while later with the teacher and he sister standing over her.

    Such was the way of Catholic Ireland. However after years of distortion, I take the actual beating from the teacher with a pinch of salt.


    I think that was the way of a crazy teacher than anything else.


  • #44
    Jimmy the Wheel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Jimmy the Wheel


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    really? So what's your opinion on the IRA army council ordered the strike to continue despite the hunger strikers getting more concessions than they expected.

    I believe it was the last six that were sacrificed so "da cause" could get more publicity. There would probably have been more if it wasn't for the brave actions of the strikers families.

    Freedom of information documents attesting to the same...

    http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/newal1.pdf


  • #45
    gigino
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭gigino


    OSI wrote: »
    Bull****. I did my Leaving 5 years ago and the content was very one sided in favour of making certain people look like persecuted heroes.
    True, the history and propoganda pushed in many schools here is the republic was very one-sided. You would think the ten men were innocent and never belonged to a terrorist organisation which blew up innocent women and children. At least the hunger strikers had a choice to die or not. Many of their/ their organisations victims did not.


  • #46
    gigino
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭gigino


    Dj Stiggie wrote: »
    My mam was in primary school during the hunger strikes and her teacher was a very open supporter of Sands. Politics wasn't discussed in my ma's house so she didn't know about the strike.

    A girl said to my ma in class, "Did you hear about Bobby Sands?"

    My ma said, "Who's he? Is he from Leixlip Park?"

    The teacher overheard this and dug her engagement ring into my ma's temple and knocked her out. She came around a while later with the teacher and he sister standing over her.

    Such was the way of Catholic Ireland.

    we all know of teachers like that. My English teacher in secondary school here in the Republic was like that too, and getting us to read things about "the lads" etc, who he had great sympathy for ( they were the IRA but he called them " the lads " ).


  • #47
    problemchimp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,025 ✭✭✭problemchimp


    Jimmy the Wheel wrote: »
    I reserve the right to joke if and when I want, especially in AH, and if that upsets the Holy Grail of republicanism hero-worship, so be it.
    Jokes are usually funny, your effort was pretty shiit when it comes to jokes. A bit more effort if you wouldn't mind.


  • #48
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    seamus wrote: »
    He was convicted for possessing a firearm.

    So tell me again why he deserved not be treated like a common scumbag criminal?

    Btw, I'd expect more from you - aren't you a solicitor?.

    Your right, Sands was convicted of possession of a firearm.. A revolver was found in a car which he shared with four others.. He was tired and convicted by a court presided over by just one British judge, no jury. And sentenced to 14 years in prison.

    There was no evidence that he fired the revolver, ie no prints on the revolver or powder marks on his hands or clothing.

    As a solicitor would you say thats a safe conviction - honestly now?.

    And then tell us why he should be "treated like a common scumbag criminal".


  • #49
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    problemchimp wrote: »
    Jokes are usually funny, your effort was pretty shiit when it comes to jokes. A bit more effort if you wouldn't mind.

    I know Bobby Sand's phone number.
    808080 (read as 8 nothing 8 nothing 8 nothing)

    Better?


  • #50
    problemchimp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,025 ✭✭✭problemchimp


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I know Bobby Sand's phone number.
    808080 (read as 8 nothing 8 nothing 8 nothing)

    Better?
    Lame, attention seeking, ................NEXT!


  • #51
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Yisroel Handsome Preschooler wrote: »
    Btw, I'd expect more from you - aren't you a solicitor?.
    No :D
    And then tell us why he should be "treated like a common scumbag criminal".
    As I say, it was a genuine question. Someone who's convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm is a scumbag, in my eyes. Hence I was asking why he should have been treated otherwise.

    You've given reasonable evidence to me that he was likely a patsy. I'll need to dig some more.


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  • #52
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Yisroel Handsome Preschooler wrote: »
    Btw, I'd expect more from you - aren't you a solicitor?.

    Your right, Sands was convicted of possession of a firearm.. A revolver was found in a car which he shared with four others.. He was tired and convicted by a court presided over by just one British judge, no jury. And sentenced to 14 years in prison.

    There was no evidence that he fired the revolver, ie no prints on the revolver or powder marks on his hands or clothing.

    As a solicitor would you say thats a safe conviction - honestly now?.

    And then tell us why he should be "treated like a common scumbag criminal".
    was he not also a member of a terrorist organisation that killed innocent people, including only a few months earlier a gard in monaghan?


  • #53
    Jimmy the Wheel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Jimmy the Wheel


    Yisroel Handsome Preschooler wrote: »
    Btw, I'd expect more from you - aren't you a solicitor?.

    Your right, Sands was convicted of possession of a firearm.. A revolver was found in a car which he shared with four others.. He was tired and convicted by a court presided over by just one British judge, no jury. And sentenced to 14 years in prison.

    There was no evidence that he fired the revolver, ie no prints on the revolver or powder marks on his hands or clothing.

    As a solicitor would you say thats a safe conviction - honestly now?.

    And then tell us why he should be "treated like a common scumbag criminal".

    He was found in a car, captured just after a bomb attack and gun battle, in which the weapon had just been used, and all 4 were sentenced for possession of the weapon.

    Are you saying he was innocent?


  • #54
    Wolfe Tone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I know Bobby Sand's phone number.
    808080 (read as 8 nothing 8 nothing 8 nothing)

    Better?
    Stay classy fred


  • #55
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    was he not also a member of a terrorist organisation that killed innocent people, including only a few months earlier a gard in monaghan?

    So was Kevin Barry, and we celebrate his life and death.


  • #56
    Pauleta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,778 ✭✭✭Pauleta


    Why did they smear their poo on the walls :confused:


  • #57
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Yisroel Handsome Preschooler wrote: »
    So was Kevin Barry, and we celebrate his life and death.

    How many innocent people did the old IRA target?


  • #58
    K-9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,313 ✭✭✭✭K-9


    I can remember being with Dad in the car and hearing of his death, was only a young lad and Dad commented on how such a big deal it was.

    Ten Men Dead is a fantastic account of it, goes into details on the politics of it which was very cold and calculating at the end of it.

    Amazing men to die for what they believe in, in such a way. Takes amazing strength of character.

    I wouldn't agree with many things Brendan Hughes said, the main organiser inside the H Blocks, but I do kind of share his wonder about "what was it all for?"

    Mad Men's Don Draper : What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.



  • #59
    Wolfe Tone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    How many innocent people did the old IRA target?
    Ah back to this, the "old IRA where different"


  • #60
    arybvtcw0eolkf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24,608 ✭✭✭✭arybvtcw0eolkf


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    How many innocent people did the old IRA target?

    "the old IRA" - romanticized bullsh*t.


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  • #61
    Pompey Magnus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,406 ✭✭✭Pompey Magnus


    seamus wrote: »
    Someone who's convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm is a scumbag, in my eyes.

    In your opinion is every person who has taken up arms in opposition to the ruling government been a "scumbag", or is it just if they have been caught that they become this?

    Were Padraig Pearse and James Connolly a couple of scumbags?


This discussion has been closed.
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