Shrapnel - Fragments St Patrick's Day Special with Iain Turner of Balaclava Street

In this episode recorded in-person on the Shankill on 15 March 2025 the lads hosted a special Fragments off-shot of the normal Shrapnel pod. They chat to researcher Iain Turner who was in Belfast to deliver a lecture about the complex history of the UVF in East Belfast, exploring the motivations behind joining paramilitary organisations, the contradictions of violence and identity, and the current political stalemate in Northern Ireland. They also discuss the cultural significance of St. Patrick's Day and the evolving perceptions of Irish identity within loyalist communities.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Chat
05:00 Exploring the UVF's History in East Belfast
09:46 Motivations Behind Joining Paramilitary Organizations
14:55 Contradictions in Violence and Identity
19:53 The UVF's Legacy and Current Status
25:09 Political Stalemate and Future of Northern Ireland
29:54 Cultural Identity and St. Patrick's Day Celebrations