Empire Podcast Episode Summary: "The Troubles: London Bombings, Hunger Strikes, & The Graveside Grenade (Ep 3)"

Release Date: April 2, 2025
Hosts: William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
Guest: Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say Nothing

1. Introduction to the Episode

In the third episode of Empire, William Dalrymple and Anita Anand delve deep into the tumultuous period of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, focusing on pivotal events such as the London Bombings, the notorious hunger strikes, and the tragic Graveside Grenade incident. Joining them is Patrick Radden Keefe, whose insights from his book Say Nothing provide a profound understanding of the era's complexities.

2. Bloody Friday and Its Aftermath

The episode opens with a recounting of Bloody Friday on July 21, 1972, when the IRA orchestrated 18 bombings across Belfast. Patrick Radden Keefe describes Brendan Hughes, an esteemed IRA commander, who later reflected on the operation's failure to spare civilian lives:

"Brendan Hughes... knew... they weren't going to be able to do this in a way that would spare civilian life." (01:21)

William Dalrymple adds the harrowing human cost:

"Nine people were killed, 130 were seriously injured... the shrapnel injuries, flying glass, very severely burnt by these fireballs." (02:51)

3. Escalation Between IRA and British Authorities

The mutual escalation between the IRA and British forces is a central theme. Anita Anand prompts Patrick to discuss the authorities' response to the IRA's increasing violence:

"What was the response of the authorities to this wave of death?" (04:44)

Patrick explains how British operations like Operation Motorman aimed to dismantle IRA strongholds, leading to further loss of support among local populations:

"The government... used tanks and bulldozers to remove these so-called no-go areas... two teenagers are shot and killed by the army during the operation in Derry." (05:21)

4. Divis Flats and Jean McConville

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Divis Flats, a high-rise in West Belfast that became an IRA stronghold. Patrick Radden Keefe details the harsh living conditions:

"There wasn't great ventilation, there was mold... it was all just pretty grim." (10:01)

The tragic story of Jean McConville, a Protestant mother of ten married to a Catholic man, is highlighted. Her refusal to aid the IRA led to her abduction and disappearance:

"Jean McConville... was bundles with suspicion... she never does come back." (14:41)

5. The Price Sisters and the Unknowns

Delving into the IRA's internal structures, Patrick introduces the Unknowns, a covert unit within the IRA led by Gerry Adams. He discusses Dolores Price, who becomes a pivotal figure:

"Dolores Price... was a member of the Unknowns... involved in forced disappearances." (19:41)

Anita Anand inquires about the influences behind the Unknowns' strategies:

"Were they looking to the PLO or kind of Algiers or where were they looking for this?" (08:11)

Patrick responds by highlighting the IRA's inspiration from global anti-colonial movements:

"They were absolutely studying kind of paramilitary resistance movements in other anti-colonial contexts." (08:18)

6. The 1972 Kidnapping and Disappearance of Jean McConville

On December 7, 1972, Jean McConville was forcibly taken from her home in Divis Flats. The harrowing account of her disappearance underscores the brutal tactics used by the IRA:

"Jean... is taken away... and never comes back." (17:05)

7. The Price Sisters' Hunger Strike

The episode transitions to the Price sisters, who transition from non-violent activism to armed resistance. Patrick Radden Keefe narrates their involvement in bank robberies and subsequent hunger strikes:

"They start to starve themselves... the British government steps in and starts force feeding them." (26:47)

William Dalrymple adds context to their symbolic resistance:

"It's very much in the suffragette mold... tubes being forced down the throat... akin to being raped." (29:30)

8. Bobby Sands and Subsequent Hunger Strikes

Bobby Sands emerges as a central figure in the hunger strike movement. Patrick explains how Sands' 66-day strike culminated in significant political repercussions:

"Bobby Sands... was elected to parliament while on hunger strike." (36:18)

Anita Anand reflects on the global impact:

"Bobby Sand Street... the British political class look within what they're doing wrong." (38:44)

9. The Graveyard Grenade Incident and the Peace Process

The episode reaches a climax with the Graveside Grenade incident during a large funeral procession in 1988. Patrick Radden Keefe recounts the chaotic event where a lone gunman armed with grenades attacks mourners, leading to multiple casualties:

"He kills three and wounds 60... he was a loyalist trying to target Jerry Adams." (43:48)

Father Alec Reid, a pivotal character, attempts to intercede but tragically fails to save two British soldiers who are brutally killed during the chaos. This moment becomes a turning point, symbolizing the need for a political resolution:

"Father Alec Reed... has these papers outlining a peace process... he administers last rites to the soldiers." (46:37)

10. Moving Toward Political Solutions

In the aftermath of relentless violence and public outcry, Gerry Adams recognizes the necessity for a political strategy alongside armed resistance. This dual approach lays the groundwork for what would eventually become Sinn Féin's Armalite and the Ballot Box strategy, balancing political engagement with continued pressure:

"Sinn Féin running candidates for political office... planting the seeds of peace." (50:12)

Conclusion

This episode of Empire meticulously unpacks the intricate and often tragic events of the Troubles, highlighting the interplay between violent resistance and the push for political reconciliation. Through compelling narratives and poignant quotes, William Dalrymple, Anita Anand, and Patrick Radden Keefe provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how these historical events shaped the trajectory toward the eventual Good Friday Agreement.

Notable Quotes:

• Brendan Hughes on Bloody Friday's failure:
  "They weren't going to be able to do this in a way that would spare civilian life." (01:21)

• William Dalrymple on civilian casualties:
  "Nine people were killed, 130 were seriously injured..." (02:51)

• Patrick Radden Keefe on the Price sisters' force-feeding:
  "The British government steps in and starts force feeding them." (26:47)

• William Dalrymple on Malta Reid's intervention:
  "He administers last rites to the soldiers." (46:37)

For those seeking a deeper exploration of the Troubles and the events leading up to the Good Friday Agreement, this episode provides an essential and engaging narrative, enriched by expert analysis and firsthand accounts.