About this episode
This episode explores the life and insights of Brendan 'The Dark' Hughes, a significant figure in the Provisional IRA, through his candid interviews recorded before his death.
When it comes to the history of the Provisional IRA, there are many divisive figures within the paramilitary group. Some were beloved who then fell out of favour, either by leaning too far towards peace, or refusing to give up the violence. Few are as beloved as Brendan Hughes His story is also rather unique, in the years before he died, Hughes was extremely candid about his time in the Provisional IRA. He contributed to the Boston College Tapes between 2001 and 2006, providing an insight into his time in the IRA that was revealed after his death in 2008. What was revealed had significant repercussions for people still alive today, and especially Gerry Adams. Brendan was a unique person, and through these interviews we have been given an extremely rare insight into his life behind the veil of being a paramilitary. This is the story of the troubles, told entirely from the perspective of The Dark, Brendan Hughes, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Oisin Feeney
Topics covered
- Provisional IRA
- Brendan Hughes
- paramilitary history
- Gerry Adams
- Boston College Tapes
- Irish history
- conflict resolution
Keywords
- Brendan Hughes
- Provisional IRA
- Gerry Adams
- Boston College Tapes
- Irish conflict
- paramilitary
- history
- interviews
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Provisional IRA, Boston College
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- The Disappeared: Buried but Not Forgotten · December 22, 2025 · 1h 7m
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