The Easter Rising, 1916
1920-1922 Partition & Independence 26 southern counties gain independence: Eire, or Ireland 6 northeastern counties (Northern Ireland) remain part of the United Kingdom
“The Troubles”
Provisional IRA (Nationalists) Goal: a reunified Irish Republic, free from British rule
Loyalists (Unionists) fighting against Irish republicanism
The British State officially neutral. in practice, often colluded with loyalist paramilitaries. seen as an army of occupation by many Catholics.
Bloody Sunday 30 January 1972
13 shot dead, including 7 teenagers; many others injured 15 June 2010: David Cameron apologizes on behalf of the British government
IRA Bombing Campaign - England Brighton, 1984
City of London, 1993
Manchester, 1996
b. 1939, to a Catholic family in County Derry, on border with Eire 1972 – moves to Irish Republic, became Irish citizen 1995 – wins Nobel Prize for Literature
“Digging” The SPADE of his father and grandfather?
“Digging” Or the GUN of the Troubles?
“Digging” Or a third choice, the PEN?
“Digging” “Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.” (ll. 1-2) […] The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it.” (ll.29-31)
The Bog Poems
“The Grauballe Man”
The Dying Gaul (Musei Capitolini)
The Dying Gaul (detail)
Windeby Girl (‘Punishment’)
Alleged drug dealer tarred and feathered by loyalists, 2007