Tales of The Troubles

August 1974: The Balcombe Street Gang

In this episode of Tales of the Troubles, we explore the arrival of the Provisional IRA’s Balcombe Street Gang in London—sent as sleeper cells to await orders. Against a backdrop of nuclear tests abroad and rising tensions at home, August 1974 saw covert deployments, deadly shootings, and bombings across Northern Ireland. From the killing of Patrick McElhone to the IRA’s remote-controlled attacks, this instalment traces the shadow war unfolding in both rural fields and urban streets.

July 1974: Terror at the Tower

In this gripping instalment, we revisit the IRA bombing of the Tower of London on July 17, 1974—a devastating attack that killed one civilian and injured over forty, many of them tourists and children. Set against a backdrop of escalating violence and political upheaval, the episode explores the broader context of paramilitary activity, internment policy shifts, and the fraught efforts toward constitutional reform in Northern Ireland. From Sinn Féin’s overtures to Loyalist groups to the chilling murder of nationalist councillor Patrick Kelly, this episode captures a month of turmoil, tragedy, and tentative dialogue.

June 1974: Daring Hunger Strikes and Devastating Attacks

In this gripping episode of Tales of The Troubles, we revisit a pivotal month marked by escalating violence, political upheaval, and the harrowing endurance of hunger strikers like Michael Gaughan and the Price sisters. From bombings in Belfast and Westminster to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive and the emergence of Loyalist proposals for independence, June 1974 reveals the deep fractures and fierce resistance shaping the conflict’s trajectory.

May 1974: Strikes & Massacres

In this gripping episode of Tales of the Troubles, we revisit one of the most volatile months in Northern Ireland’s history. From the Ulster Workers’ Council strike that brought the region to a standstill, to the devastating Dublin and Monaghan bombings, May 1974 was a turning point marked by political upheaval and tragic loss. Through archival accounts and eyewitness testimony, we explore how these events reshaped the course of the Troubles.

April 1974: 19 Old Masters

In April 1974, one of Ireland’s most audacious art heists shook the nation. This episode of Tales of The Troubles unpacks the theft of 19 Old Masters from Russborough House, exploring the political shadows, criminal intrigue, and cultural loss behind the stolen masterpieces.