Bobby Sands Biography: Life And Legacy Of The IRA Hunger Striker

Bobby Sands was an Irish Republican Army (IRA) officer who rose to international prominence in 1981 when he embarked on a fatal hunger strike while imprisoned in Northern Ireland. Sands was born on March 9, 1954, in Belfast, Ireland, and was the oldest of four children born to John and Rosaleen Sands. He grew up in a middle-class family and experienced violence and intimidation at the hands of Protestants from a young age.

Sands became involved in political activism at a young age, joining the Provisional IRA in 1972. He was arrested and imprisoned multiple times for his involvement in IRA activities, including bombings and shootings. In 1981, Sands and other IRA prisoners began a hunger strike to protest the British government’s policy of treating them as criminals rather than political prisoners. Sands was the first to start the hunger strike, and he died on May 5, 1981, after 66 days without food. The strike lasted for a total of 217 days and resulted in the deaths of ten prisoners.

Key Takeaways

Bobby Sands was an IRA officer who gained international recognition for his fatal hunger strike in 1981.
Sands grew up in a middle-class family in Belfast and was involved in political activism from a young age.
Sands and other IRA prisoners began a hunger strike in 1981 to protest the British government’s policy of treating them as criminals, resulting in the deaths of ten prisoners.

Early Life

Bobby Sands was born on March 9, 1954, in Belfast, Ireland, to John and Rosaleen Sands. He was the oldest of four children in the family. Sands’ parents were middle-class and held nationalist views. The family spent Sands’ early childhood in the Rathcoole area of Belfast.

After Sands’ parents married, they moved to the new development of Abbots Cross in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, outside North Belfast. Sands’ younger sisters, Marcella and Bernadette, were born in 1955 and 1958, respectively.

Sands attended the local primary school and later attended the De La Salle High School in West Belfast. He left school at the age of 16 and began working as an apprentice coach builder. Sands was an active member of the Republican Labour Party and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during his teenage years.

In 1972, Sands was arrested and charged with possession of firearms and explosives. He was sentenced to five years in prison. While in prison, Sands became involved in the IRA’s political wing and began to write poetry and articles for Republican newspapers. Sands was released in 1976 but was arrested again in 1977 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an IRA bombing campaign.

Political Activism

Bobby Sands was a political activist who joined the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) when he was 18 years old. He was arrested in 1972 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possession of firearms and explosives. While in prison, Sands and other IRA prisoners began a series of protests to demand recognition as political prisoners, a status that had been revoked in 1976.

Sands played a key role in organizing and leading the protests, which included a blanket protest, where prisoners refused to wear prison uniforms and covered themselves with blankets, and a dirty protest, where prisoners refused to wash or clean their cells. These protests escalated into a hunger strike in 1981, with Sands as the first to participate.

Sands’ hunger strike lasted 66 days before he died on May 5, 1981, at the age of 27. His death sparked widespread protests and riots in Northern Ireland and around the world.

Sands’ political activism and death made him a symbol of the Irish Republican cause and a martyr to many. His writings, including his diary from prison, have been published and continue to inspire political activists around the world.

Imprisonment

Bobby Sands was arrested twice, the first time for weapons possession in 1972, and imprisoned at Long Kesh Detention Centre as a “special category” prisoner due to his involvement with the IRA. He was released in 1976, but was arrested again in 1977 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possession of firearms and explosives.

While in prison, Sands became involved in the IRA’s blanket and dirty protests, which were a response to the British government’s decision to treat IRA prisoners as ordinary criminals rather than political prisoners. In 1980, Sands joined a hunger strike to protest the removal of special category status for IRA prisoners, which meant they were no longer treated as political prisoners.

Sands was the first of ten hunger strikers to die during the protest, which lasted from March to October 1981. He died on May 5, 1981, after 66 days without food. His death sparked widespread protests and violence in Northern Ireland and led to increased support for the IRA.

During his imprisonment, Sands wrote a collection of poems and a diary, which were later published as “One Day in My Life” and “Skylark Sing Your Lonely Song,” respectively. These works provide a glimpse into Sands’ thoughts and experiences while in prison and have become important works of literature in Northern Ireland.

Overall, Sands’ imprisonment and subsequent death had a significant impact on the Troubles in Northern Ireland and continue to be remembered as a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

Hunger Strike

Motivation

Bobby Sands began his hunger strike on March 1, 1981, along with nine other Republican prisoners in the H Block section of the Maze prison. The prisoners were protesting against the removal of Special Category Status, which granted them political prisoner status. Sands, who was serving a 14-year sentence for firearms possession, believed that the British government was not treating Irish Republican prisoners fairly and that their human rights were being violated.

Impact

Sands’ hunger strike lasted until his death on May 5, 1981. His death and those of nine other hunger strikers sparked a new surge of IRA recruitment and activity. The hunger strike also brought international attention to the conflict in Northern Ireland and put pressure on the British government to address the demands of the prisoners.

Worldwide Reaction

The worldwide reaction to Sands’ hunger strike was mixed. Some saw him as a hero and a martyr for Irish Republicanism, while others criticized his actions as extreme and misguided. The British government was also criticized for its handling of the situation and for allowing the hunger strikers to die.

Overall, the hunger strike had a significant impact on the conflict in Northern Ireland and on the political landscape of the region. It brought attention to the issue of human rights for prisoners and helped to galvanize support for the Republican cause.

Death and Legacy

Bobby Sands’ death on May 5, 1981, after a 66-day hunger strike, made him a martyr in the eyes of many Irish republicans. His funeral was attended by over 100,000 people, and his death sparked a wave of protests and demonstrations across Northern Ireland.

Sands’ hunger strike was in protest against the British government’s decision to revoke political prisoner status for IRA members. He was the first of ten hunger strikers to die, and his death was followed by the deaths of nine others.

Sands’ death and the hunger strike had a significant impact on the Northern Ireland conflict. It led to increased support for the IRA and a surge in violence. It also brought international attention to the conflict and the issue of political prisoners.

In the years since his death, Sands has become a symbol of Irish Republicanism and a hero to many in Northern Ireland. He is often commemorated in murals and other forms of public art, and his name is frequently invoked in political speeches and protests.

Despite his controversial legacy, Sands remains an important figure in Irish history and a symbol of resistance to British rule.

Influence on Popular Culture

Bobby Sands’s life and death have had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring various works of art, music, and literature. This section will explore some of the notable examples of his influence.

Music

Bobby Sands’s story has been immortalized in numerous songs, particularly in the Irish folk tradition. One of the most famous examples is the ballad “Back Home in Derry,” written by Bobby Sands himself during his imprisonment in the Maze prison. The song has been covered by many artists, including Christy Moore, who released a popular version in 1984.

Other songs inspired by Bobby Sands include “The Rhythm of Time” by the Irish band Horslips, “Bobby Sands MP” by the Scottish singer-songwriter Dick Gaughan, and “Empty Chairs” by the American singer Don McLean.

Film

Bobby Sands’s hunger strike and death have also been depicted in several films. One of the most notable examples is the 2008 movie “Hunger,” directed by Steve McQueen and starring Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands. The film received critical acclaim and won the Caméra d’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

Other films that have touched on Bobby Sands’s story include “Some Mother’s Son” (1996), directed by Terry George, and “66 Days” (2016), directed by Brendan J. Byrne.

Literature

Bobby Sands’s life and death have also been the subject of numerous books and poems. One of the most famous examples is the collection of poems “One Day in My Life,” written by Bobby Sands during his imprisonment in the Maze prison. The poems were smuggled out of the prison and published in 1983, two years after his death.

Other notable works of literature inspired by Bobby Sands include “Bobby Sands and the Tragedy of Northern Ireland” (1991) by John Feehan, “Bobby Sands: Nothing But an Unfinished Song” (2006) by Denis O’Hearn, and “Bobby Sands: Freedom Fighter” (2006) by Gerry Adams.

Controversies and Criticisms

Bobby Sands was a highly controversial figure, both during his lifetime and after his death. While many people view him as a hero and a martyr, others criticize his actions and the tactics of the IRA.

One of the most significant controversies surrounding Sands is his decision to go on a hunger strike in prison. While some people view this as a brave and selfless act, others argue that it was a reckless and dangerous move that ultimately resulted in his death.

Critics also point out that Sands was a member of the IRA, a group that was responsible for numerous acts of violence and terrorism during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. While Sands himself never engaged in any violent acts, his association with the group is enough to raise concerns for some people.

Additionally, Sands’ political beliefs and affiliations have been criticized by some. He was a member of Sinn Féin, a political party that has been linked to the IRA and has been accused of supporting violence and terrorism.

Despite these controversies and criticisms, Sands remains a highly respected figure in many parts of Ireland and around the world. His story continues to inspire people who believe in the struggle for Irish independence and the fight against oppression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Bobby Sands’ wife?

Bobby Sands’ wife, Geraldine Noade, remarried after his death. She later became known as Geraldine McFadden.

Why did Bobby Sands go on hunger strike?

Bobby Sands went on hunger strike to protest the British government’s policy of treating IRA prisoners as common criminals rather than political prisoners.