In this episode of the Irish History Boys, we reflect on the harrowing 1976 UVF attack on the Golden Pheasant restaurant—a "mass murder attempt" that claimed the lives of brothers Tony and Miles O’Reilly. 

We examine these senseless killings within the context of 1976’s grim violence, a year that saw the second-highest death toll of the Troubles and was defined by a "political vacuum" following the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement. 

We also discuss Seamus Mallon’s famously inaccurate 1976 forecast of power-sharing within two years—a vision that would ultimately take 22 years to become "Sunningdale for slow learners".

Additionally, we explore Éamon de Valera’s 1926 struggle to "unshackle" his movement from the "politically limp" policy of abstentionism.

We discuss his narrow five-vote defeat within Sinn Féin over the oath of allegiance—a pivotal moment that led to the founding of Fianna Fáil and a new era of political pragmatism that sought to attract a broader base of supporters.

To conclude, we tackle the "moral panic" of the 1920s, examining the social crusade against "American-style" beauty shows, which an Irish News editorial condemned as symbols of "decadence" and "materialism" that lacked spiritual value. 

We also address the early accusations of BBC bias in 1926 and 1976, highlighting the "pitiable" lack of Irish cultural programming and the contentious refusal to use the name "Derry," which listeners felt ignored the identity of the nationalist community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.