Some moments in history hinge on the decisions of a few individuals. One choice, one meeting, one change of heart — and the course of a nation can shift forever. In this week’s Downstream Ash Sarkar travels to the James Connolly Centre on the Falls Road in West Belfast to sit down with one of the most historically significant — and controversial — figures in modern Irish history: Gerry Adams. Once considered a terrorist by the British government, Adams was banned from having his voice broadcast on UK airwaves. He was interned without trial, held on a prison ship and later in Long Kesh, and for decades stood at the centre of the Irish Republican movement. He would go on to play a key role in the peace process, shaking hands with royalty and helping guide the struggle from armed conflict to negotiation. For many, Adams is a peacemaker. For others, he remains inseparable from the violence and trauma of the Troubles and the legacy of the Provisional IRA. This is perhaps the most historically consequential individual ever interviewed for Downstream. Love him or loathe him, Gerry Adams helped shape the Ireland of today. Watch now — and draw your own conclusions. 00:00 Intro 01:34 Podcasting & Media Hostility 07:03 Sinn Féin 15:45 Is Unification Still Desirable? 26:51 Difficulties of the Peace Process 32:16 Leadership, Self Doubt & Informers 40:15 Trauma & Violence 49:47 IRA Accusations & Victims 57:25 Political Commitments 1:04:03 Ireland & Gaza 01:11:55 How Could Your Life Have Been Different?
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 