The True Story of The Troubles in Hulu’s ‘Say Nothing,’ Explained

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As I delve deeper into the gripping tale of “Say Nothing,” I find myself utterly captivated by the resilience and unwavering spirit of Dolours Price. Her life, filled with heart-wrenching struggles, courageous acts, and indomitable determination, serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for survival and transformation in the face of adversity.

Say Nothing, a gripping Hulu miniseries inspired by Patrick Radden Keefe’s book of the same name, offers a profound and somber perspective on the intricacies of the Troubles. This period of strife, which unfolded during the latter half of the 20th century, represents an enduring conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, a conflict whose roots stretch deep into history.

The film, titled Say Nothing, revolves around Dolours Price (portrayed by Lola Petticrew), a dedicated member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who passionately supported their mission to expel the British from Northern Ireland. The narrative also includes her sister, Marian (Hazel Doupe), fellow IRA devotees, and the enigma surrounding the vanishing of Jean McConville (Judith Roddy) in 1972.

The engrossing series “Say Nothing” becomes even more captivating when you comprehend the high-stakes involved. Though recounting each and every incident of the conflict may be impossible, this account presents the authentic tale of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

The Religious Tension in the British Isles Traces Back Centuries

English monarchs have sought dominion over Ireland since the 11th century. The political sway England held over Ireland fluctuated throughout history until King Henry VIII enacted the Crown of Ireland Act in 1542. This law marked a significant step towards England’s aim to politically and ideologically govern Ireland.

In the 1530s, King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church as well. The Act of Supremacy, passed in 1534, established Henry VIII and his successors as the heads of the recently created Church of England, a Protestant denomination. This new Protestant faith and the lingering Catholicism were intertwined with power struggles over the kingdom, which extended to Ireland as well.

In the 17th century, England imposed severe punishments on Catholics and Protestant dissenters in Ireland, sparking centuries of power struggles over the island. The partition of Ireland in the early 20th century resulted in the creation of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland under British rule. Following the partition, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), whose goal was to expel the British and unify Ireland, adopted a more aggressive approach. By the 1970s, Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Loyalists found themselves engaged in conflict.

‘Say Nothing’ Is Set During the Early Years of The Troubles

On October 5, 1968, a march led by Catholic Nationalists in Derry (commonly known as Londonderry) took place, protesting what they perceived as discrimination. However, this peaceful demonstration was confronted by Protestant counter-protesters, leading to clashes that were recorded by local TV cameras. The vivid images of these events have remained deeply etched in people’s memories, and according to historian James Smyth, it marked the beginning of the conflicts known as “The Troubles.

As Patrick Radden Keefe described, when the story Say Nothing opens, it’s the year 1972 in West Belfast and the atmosphere is tense. He noted that while things seemed relatively normal as recently as 1968, by 1972, there were daily bombings and gunfire exchanges on the streets.

The dramatic account, “Say Nothing,” focuses on pivotal events during The Troubles, particularly as experienced by IRA members Dolours Price, Brendan Hughes (Anthony Boyle), and Gerry Adams (Josh Finan). However, it’s Dolours Price’s story that takes center stage. Following the abduction of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10, from her home in December 1972, “Say Nothing” delves into the enigma surrounding her fate.

As McConville was kidnapped, violent clashes and bombings were becoming more frequent not only in Northern Ireland but also in Ireland. For instance, a protest in Derry in January 1972 culminated in the tragic event known as “Bloody Sunday,” claiming the lives of 13 individuals. Similarly, in July of the same year, Belfast witnessed another devastating incident called “Bloody Friday” where nine people were killed and over a hundred more were injured. The bombing of a pub in Birmingham, England, in 1974 resulted in the deaths of 21 people, while Lord Louis Mountbatten, a relative of the Queen of England, was killed in 1979 when his fishing boat was bombed by the IRA.

The IRA later claimed responsibility and restated its determination to carry out what it called,

“[The] noble struggle to drive the British intruders out of our native land.”

The Troubles Ended During the 1990s but the Violence and Trauma Remains

In 1971, Delours and Marian Price became members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and served as messengers. However, their activities escalated to bank robberies and aiding fellow IRA members who were imprisoned. Regrettably, their actions led to their conviction in 1973, following a bombing at the Old Bailey criminal court in London. This bomb blast resulted in one fatality and left nearly 200 people injured. Both Delours and her sister Marian ended up serving time in prison. While incarcerated, they undertook prolonged hunger strikes as a form of protest. In 2004, Price penned a book detailing her personal account of these events.

During our shared hunger strike, it wasn’t about pushing things ahead or securing roles in the British government… rather, it was aimed at removing any influence of the British from this territory.

Although Delours and Marian served life sentences, they were granted early release on compassionate terms. Delours built a family and adopted a low-key lifestyle. Following the truce in 1994 and the finalization of the Belfast Agreement marking the end of the Troubles in 1998, Delours shared her experiences.

Delours shared her accounts about being involved with the Belfast Project, an archive containing interviews from ex-IRA and Provisional IRA members. She also contributed to efforts aimed at finding the Disappeared, a group of people who vanished during the conflict known as The Troubles and have not been heard from since. This search led to the discovery of Jean McConville’s remains in 2003 on Shelling Hill Beach, County Louth, within the Republic of Ireland. It was Keefe who informed the children about what happened to their mother.

Say Nothing is streaming on Hulu and provides a valuable insight into a defining moment of history.

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2024-11-25 04:07