Empire: World History 242. The Troubles: Bloody Sunday & The British Army in Belfast (Ep 2)
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Mar 31, 2025 
Joining the discussion is Patrick Radden Keefe, the acclaimed author of 'Say Nothing,' known for his insights into the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He delves into the British Army’s internment policy and its impact on IRA recruitment. The conversation also highlights the transformation of peaceful protestors like the Price sisters into IRA fighters. Furthermore, Keefe examines the chilling events of Bloody Sunday and the colonial roots of British counter-insurgency tactics, adding depth to this turbulent history.
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Early IRA Weaponry
- Early in The Troubles, the Provos were outgunned, using old, sometimes rusty weapons.
- Doherty Price's initial IRA task involved cleaning rusty bullets, highlighting their limited resources.
IRA Secrecy
- IRA members kept their involvement secret, even from family.
- Francine McGuigan's story, where he couldn't ask his father for bullets directly, illustrates this secrecy.
Dolores Price's Radicalization
- Dolores Price's near-drowning by a Unionist and her mother's reaction radicalized her.
- She joined the IRA, seeking to actively fight back rather than remain passive.
