Bobby Sands Quotes

A collection of quotes by Bobby Sands.

Bobby Sands (1954-1981) was an Irish Republican activist and member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and grew up amidst the Troubles, a period of intense political and sectarian conflict. Sands joined the IRA in the late 1970s and became involved in bombings and other armed activities.

However, Sands is best known for his role in the 1981 Irish hunger strike. As a prisoner held in the Maze Prison, he led a protest demanding political status for republican prisoners. Sands and his fellow hunger strikers went on a hunger strike to the death, refusing food to draw attention to the harsh conditions and lack of recognition as political prisoners.

During the 66-day hunger strike, Sands' deteriorating health drew international attention, and his plight became a focal point of political debates around the world. Despite widespread appeals, including from prominent figures like Pope John Paul II, Sands died on May 5, 1981, aged 27. His death led to intense rioting and heightened tensions in Northern Ireland.

Bobby Sands' hunger strike and subsequent death made him a symbol of the Irish Republican cause. Today, he is remembered as a pivotal figure in the fight for Irish independence and is seen by some as a martyr for the Republican movement.