Over the course of the 20th century, the use of the hunger strike would become synonymous with Ireland, leading to the death of Cork Lord Mayor Terence MacSweeney, and polarizing Irish politics in the 1980s around the H Blocks. But on this date, September 25th, died Thomas Ashe in 1917. Ashe’s death - the first of its kind - was a surprise to many, as he had only gone on hunger strike days earlier on September 20th. So, how did this come to be?

Donal Fallon joins Gavan for another episode of Hidden Histories to discuss.