162: Nor Meekly Serve My Time: An Interview with Laurence McKeown

Dr. Laurence McKeown is a published author, poet, playwright and filmmaker. He is also a former IRA political prisoner, having spent 16 years in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh: 1976-1992. Laurence was involved in the 1981 Hunger Strike in which he fasted for 70 days before his family intervened to save his life. In the later stages of his incarceration, McKeown became involved with academia and the arts and secured a bachelor’s degree from the Open University. He would subsequently achieve a PhD in Sociology from Queens University, Belfast.
In the mid 1990s, McKeown co-founded the Belfast Film Festival and would later co-write the acclaimed film ‘H3.’ A respected poet, Laurence would publish a collection of his poetry, entitled ‘Threads.’ Regarding his experiences during the Troubles, he has written/edited three respected publications; ‘Nor Meekly Serve My Time: The H-Block Struggle 1976-1981’; Out of Time: Irish Republican Prisoners, Long Kesh 1972-2000’ and the recently published ‘Time Shadows: a prison memoir.’ This memoir is a deep personal and honest reflection on his own journey during those dark times, his experiences during the hunger strike and losing ten of his comrades.

Laurence's books are available on these links:

https://www.beyondthepalebooks.com/sh...

https://www.beyondthepalebooks.com/sh...