The Irish History Boys

In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we reflect on the barbaric 1976 murders of Mary Sloan, May Sloan, and Doris McGrath—a tragedy described at the time as a "new low in barbarity".

We examine these senseless killings within the context of 1976's grim violence and the ways in which such horrific events were often "hazed over" by the relentless cycle of conflict during the Troubles.

Additionally, we explore the Irish Free State's struggle to "unshackle" itself from the British judicial yoke in 1926. We discuss the debate over judges’ wigs and gowns as a symbol of burgeoning statehood and the tension between adopting the inherited British system versus the more egalitarian, indigenous Dáil court system.

To conclude, we tackle the "moral panic" of the 1920s, examining how both Catholic and Protestant leaders waged a social crusade against the perceived evils of jazz, modern dancing, and "evil literature". We also address 1926 proposals for border tolls on heavy lorries, highlighting how economic disputes further cemented the reality of partition.
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In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Frank Stagg’s 1976 hunger strike—a 60-day ordeal that ended in a "cloud of controversy" and left his family deeply divided. We examine the harrowing physiological toll of the strike and the Irish government's extraordinary tactical decision to intercept Stagg's remains via helicopter to prevent the IRA from achieving a "propaganda coup".

Additionally, we travel back 100 years to 1926 to analyze the "splenetic denunciation" of the Irish Free State by the Unionist press. We discuss how the Irish News exposed this as a "political trick" used by leaders to distract their own public from domestic grievances by focusing on the "business worries" of their neighbours.

To conclude, we address the international stage of the mid-1920s, specifically Benito Mussolini’s aggressive "Italianization" of South Tyrol. We examine his defiant stance against the "toothless" League of Nations, a bold assertion of power that signaled the darkening political climate of early 20th-century Europe.
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In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we examine the poignant death and funeral of Anthony Reavy in 1976—the third brother in one family to perish following a loyalist shooting. We place this tragedy within the broader context of the era's relentless sectarian violence and the prevailing "political vacuum" of the time.

Additionally, we highlight the growth of indigenous Irish commercial entities, such as IPB Insurance, as symbols of burgeoning statehood and the drive to move away from British-run systems.

To conclude, we address a listener's strategic question regarding the partition of Ireland: specifically, whether the unionists' decision to secure six counties instead of four ultimately created the demographic conditions for a future reunification.
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his week we explore the fallout of the tripartite agreement of 1926, which led to the release of 33 political prisoners in Northern Ireland—though three "Derry prisoners" remained behind bars due to their roles in a fatal rescue attempt. We examine how political status served as a recurring bargaining chip, tracing the history of Republican resistance from the 1918 "German Plot" to the daring escapes of the Civil War.

Finally, we discuss the harrowing death of hunger striker Frank Stagg in 1976 and the British government's "callous" refusal to grant him a transfer to a Northern Irish prison. We also look at the Irish government's extraordinary measures to prevent a Republican funeral, including the use of helicopters and concrete to secure his final resting place against his family's wishes
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This week we explore the pivotal year of 1926 for the Gaelic Athletic Association, as delegates from Louth and Tipperary pushed for the removal of the compulsory ban on "foreign games" such as soccer, rugby, cricket, and hockey. We look at the systemic issues regarding the enforcement of these rules, including the 1938 removal of Ireland's first president, Douglas Hyde, as GAA patron and the deployment of vigilante committees to ensure members did not attend rival sporting events. We also discuss why Northern members were the strongest advocates for maintaining these bans, as they felt abandoned by the Free State and faced continued obstruction and British rule within the six counties. Finally, we chat about the controversial "bandit country" label applied to South Armagh in the 1970s, while examining a local citizen’s poignant letter protesting the "blackening" of their peace-loving community’s name. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.