John borgonovo biography

Historian Dr John Borgonovo describes the Cork Men's Gaol Hunger Strike and the impact of the Hunger Strike internationally

The Hunger Strikes at Cork Men’s Gaol and Brixton Prison drew intense global attention in during the autumn of 1920.  The initial protest by untried republican prisoners in Cork escalated after Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney joined, following his arrest at Cork City Hall in early August 1920. 

British authorities tried to regain control by transferring MacSwiney to Brixton Prison in London, but his situation quickly riveted world media attention. 

The continued hunger strike of 11 republican prisoners in the Men’s Gaol also drew intense press interest and generated enormous demonstrations by the people of Cork.

Prayer vigils, public petitions, and periodic business shut-downs for ‘masses of intercession’ rocked the city through August, September, and October. 

The crisis culminated with the deaths of Cork Gaol strike leader Michael F