Date of Birth: March 9, 1954
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: May 5, 1981
Biography
Robert Gerard Sands, known as Bobby Sands, was born on March 9, 1954, in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. He became an iconic figure as a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and is best known for his role in the 1981 Irish hunger strike. Sands grew up in a Catholic family in a predominantly Protestant area, facing significant sectarian violence and discrimination from a young age. This environment heavily influenced his political views and eventual involvement in the IRA. Sands was first arrested in 1972 for possession of four handguns and was sentenced to five years in prison. After his release, he continued his activities with the IRA and was arrested again in 1976 for possession of firearms and involvement in a bombing. He received a 14-year sentence. While in prison, Sands became a prominent figure in the struggle for political status for IRA prisoners. In 1981, he led a hunger strike to protest the British government’s refusal to recognize the prisoners as political detainees. Sands was elected as a Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone during the strike, drawing international attention to the cause. Unfortunately, he died on May 5, 1981, after 66 days of hunger striking. His death sparked widespread riots and further intensified the conflict in Northern Ireland.
5 Interesting Facts about Bobby Sands
1. Bobby Sands was elected as a Member of Parliament during his hunger strike, a position he won from his prison cell.
2. He began writing poetry and prose during his time in prison, some of which were published posthumously.
3. Sands’ death on hunger strike led to a surge in recruitment for the IRA and increased international attention to the Northern Ireland conflict.
4. Sands had a significant influence on the Irish nationalist movement and remains a symbol of resistance against British rule in Ireland.
5. Numerous memorials, songs, and films have been created in his honor, solidifying his legacy as a martyr for the Irish cause.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bobby Sands
1. “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.”
2. “They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken.”
3. “Everyone, Republican or otherwise, has their own particular role to play.”
4. “I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul.”
5. “I was only a working-class boy from a Nationalist ghetto. But it is repression that creates the revolutionary spirit of freedom.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Bobby Sands did not accumulate personal wealth; his highest net worth is not applicable as he was an activist and political prisoner.
Children
Bobby Sands had one son, Gerard, with his wife Geraldine Noade. Gerard was born on May 8, 1973.
Relevant Links
1. [Bobby Sands Trust](http://www.bobbysandstrust.com/
2. [BBC Profile: Bobby Sands](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12308303
