3: Coffins

Ten young men starve themselves to death in a prison outside Belfast. One of them – Bobby Sands – is an elected MP. Their deaths bring widespread sympathy to the Republican cause and the Provisional IRA’s little-known political wing, Sinn Féin, is bolstered by increasing electoral success. Two years later – at the height of the hottest summer on record – Gerry Adams, widely believed to be a former leader in the IRA (something he denies), is elected to Westminster. Militant Irish nationalism has gone political. All seven episodes of From Bomb to Ballot are available now. Host: John Lee Producers: Artemis Irvine and Bella Soames Assistant Producer: Sally McLennan Sound Design: John Scott Podcast Artwork: Lindsay Fagan Script Consultant: Liam Thompson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices