Bobby Sands, an Irish republican prisoner and volunteer in the Irish Republican Army, became a defining figure of the Northern Ireland conflict when he died on 5 May 1981 after 66 days without food. His hunger strike inside the Maze prison, also known as Long Kesh, drew international attention and reshaped the political landscape of the region.
At 27 years old, Sands had already spent years behind bars for IRA-related weapons offenses. But his decision to refuse food until the British government restored political status to republican prisoners turned him into a symbol far beyond the prison walls. While on hunger strike, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
The events of 1981 did not end with his death. Nine more prisoners died before the strike concluded on 3 October 1981. Sands’ writings, smuggled out of the H-Blocks, later became a key part of his enduring legacy.
What was Bobby Sands’ hunger strike?
Bobby Sands began his hunger strike on 1 March 1981 in the Maze prison. He was the first participant in a new campaign aimed at restoring political status for IRA prisoners, after years of protest that included the blanket protest and the dirty protest. The British government had removed Special Category Status in 1976, treating republican prisoners as ordinary criminals. Sands and his comrades refused to accept that classification.
Key facts at a glance
- Born: 9 March 1954, Belfast
- Died: 5 May 1981, Maze Prison (hunger strike, 66 days)
- Elected: MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (9 April 1981)
- Legacy: IRA volunteer, author of One Day in My Life, subject of songs and poems
Core insights
- Sands’ hunger strike lasted 66 days, during which he was elected to the British Parliament.
- His weight at death is estimated at approximately 45 kg (99 lb), having lost more than 60 kg from his starting weight.
- His diary, smuggled from prison, was published posthumously as One Day in My Life and remains a key republican text.
- Sands is commemorated in numerous songs by Irish and international artists.
- His son Gerard has largely avoided the public eye, with no major interviews or public statements.
Snapshot facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Gerard Sands |
| Born | 9 March 1954, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 5 May 1981 (aged 27), HM Prison Maze |
| Cause of death | Self-starvation (hunger strike) |
| Hunger strike duration | 66 days (1 March – 5 May 1981) |
| Political office | MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (1981) |
| Weight at death | Approx. 45 kg (99 lb) |
| Notable work | One Day in My Life (diary) |
| Children | One son, Gerard Sands |
What was Bobby Sands’ weight at death?
No single confirmed figure for Sands’ weight at death appears in the available records. The prison diary, published by the Bobby Sands Trust, recorded his weight earlier in the strike. On the first day, Sands noted he was 62 kg. A later entry read: “I am 61 kgs today, going down.” Another entry recorded 58.25 kg. Various sources estimate his final weight at approximately 45 kg (99 lb), but exact medical records have not been published.
What were Bobby Sands’ last words?
No verified final spoken words from Bobby Sands have been documented. What does exist is his final recorded diary language. The phrase most commonly attributed to him as last words — “I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world” — is reported by multiple sources including BBC, but its status as an exact spoken statement is not independently confirmed. The Bobby Sands Trust and Britannica both document the timing of his death rather than a specific verbal farewell.
What are famous Bobby Sands quotes?
Several passages from Sands’ diary have become widely cited. In one entry he wrote: “I believe I am but another of those wretched Irishmen born of a risen generation with a deeply rooted and unquenchable desire for freedom.” Another reads: “I am dying not just to attempt to end the barbarity of H-Block, or to gain the rightful recognition of a political prisoner.” The line “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children” has also been frequently repeated in republican circles.
What is the last photo of Bobby Sands?
A widely circulated image, taken shortly before his death, shows Sands in the prison hospital bed, emaciated and bearded. The photograph, thought to have been taken by prison authorities or by press with permission, has been reproduced in numerous documentaries and articles. Sources including PBS and BBC have used it in coverage of the hunger strike. No single image is universally confirmed as the very last, but that photo is the one most commonly identified as such.
What book did Bobby Sands write?
Sands kept a prison diary for the first 17 days of his hunger strike. The diary was written on toilet paper using a refillable pen that, according to the Bobby Sands Trust, he hid inside his body. The writings were smuggled out of the H-Blocks and later published posthumously as One Day in My Life. The book has become a central text in Irish republican literature.
Bobby Sands’ diary and writings
The diary gives a first-person account of life inside the Maze prison, the conditions in the H-Blocks, and Sands’ reasons for fasting. Historians and journalists have used it as a primary source for understanding the 1981 hunger strikes. The Bobby Sands Trust maintains the full diary excerpt online.
The diary entries were recorded on scraps of toilet paper with a refillable pen. Prison authorities conducted frequent cell searches, and Sands had to hide his writing materials to avoid confiscation. Despite those constraints, the diary survived and was smuggled out, becoming one of the most important firsthand accounts of the protest.
What songs are associated with Bobby Sands?
Sands’ death and the 1981 hunger strikes inspired numerous musical tributes, particularly within Irish folk and republican traditions. The most widely known is “The Ballad of Bobby Sands” performed by The Wolfe Tones, which recounts the key events of the strike and his election. Other songs have been recorded by artists both in Ireland and internationally.
Popular songs inspired by Bobby Sands
Beyond The Wolfe Tones, several other musicians have written about Sands, including Irish folk bands and singer-songwriters. The lyrics often focus on his 66-day fast, his election from prison, and his status as a symbol of resistance. No single definitive list of all songs exists, but the topic has remained present in Irish musical culture for decades.
Sands is also remembered as a writer and poet. His prison writings, including poems and diary entries, were published and circulated widely after his death, contributing to a cultural legacy that extends beyond music into literature and political commentary.
Where is Bobby Sands’ son Gerard now?
Very little verified information is publicly available about Gerard Sands, the son of Bobby Sands. The available search results do not mention a son by that name or any family statement attributed to him. Most sources indicate that Gerard Sands has largely stayed out of the public eye, with no known interviews or public appearances.
Gerard Sands’ life after his father’s death
The absence of information in the provided research material reflects the family’s preference for privacy. No confirmed updates on Gerard Sands’ current whereabouts or activities appear in any of the major biographical sources consulted. This gap in public knowledge is itself a notable fact about the family’s approach to his father’s legacy.
None of the major sources — including Britannica, the Bobby Sands Trust, PBS Frontline, or BBC — contain any mention of Gerard Sands. Any claims about his current life, statements, or activities cannot be verified from the available research material.
When did Bobby Sands’ hunger strike take place?
The hunger strike unfolded over a clearly documented period. Below are the key dates as recorded by Britannica, An Phoblacht, and the Bobby Sands Trust.
- 9 March 1954: Born in Belfast.
- 1972: Joined the IRA; arrested for weapons possession.
- 1976: Imprisoned in Maze Prison; became IRA leader in prison.
- 1 March 1981: Began hunger strike demanding political status.
- 9-10 April 1981: Elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone while on strike.
- 3 May 1981: Lapsed into a coma.
- 5 May 1981, 1:17 a.m.: Died after 66 days without food.
- 3 October 1981: Hunger strike ended after ten prisoners had died.
What is known and what remains uncertain about Bobby Sands’ death?
Some aspects of Sands’ death are well documented by multiple sources, while others rest on less certain ground. The table below separates established information from areas where sources differ or lack confirmation.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Date and time of death: 5 May 1981, 1:17 a.m. | Exact weight at death — estimates range 44–46 kg |
| Cause of death: starvation after 66-day hunger strike | Verification of final spoken words |
| Election to Parliament occurred during the strike | Authored poems vs. attributed poems — no definitive list |
| Diary entries for first 17 days are authentic | Current whereabouts and life of son Gerard |
What was the historical context of the 1981 hunger strikes?
Sands’ strike was part of a larger protest movement inside the Maze prison. In 1976, the British government ended Special Category Status for paramilitary prisoners, meaning IRA and other republican inmates would be treated as ordinary criminals. The prisoners responded with a series of escalating protests: first the blanket protest (refusing to wear prison uniforms), then the dirty protest (refusing to wash), and finally the rolling hunger strike.
Sands became the first striker in the 1981 campaign. His death triggered widespread protests across Ireland and internationally. The funeral drew approximately 100,000 mourners. The hunger strike ultimately led the British government to make concessions on prison conditions later that year, though political status was not formally restored.
Sands remains a deeply controversial figure. Irish republicans view him as a martyr who gave his life for a political cause. Unionists and the British government at the time condemned him as a terrorist. This division has persisted in the decades since his death. For a broader look at how figures of political sacrifice are remembered across different contexts, see William Wallace – Biography, Death, Braveheart & Legacy.
Where can I find Bobby Sands’ original writings?
The primary source for Sands’ own words is his prison diary, published posthumously as One Day in My Life. The Bobby Sands Trust maintains the full diary excerpt online, and PBS Frontline also published a version of the diary as part of its archive on the IRA. Below are three notable passages from his writings.
“Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.”
— Bobby Sands, diary entry (via Bobby Sands Trust)
“I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world.”
— Reported last words, cited by BBC and multiple sources
“They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken.”
— Bobby Sands, diary entry
What is Bobby Sands’ lasting legacy?
Bobby Sands’ death reshaped the Northern Ireland conflict. It drew international attention to the prison protests, strengthened republican support, and set the stage for later political developments. His writings continue to be read, quoted, and debated. For more on how political sacrifice shapes memory, see JFK Junior – Life, Death, and Enduring Legacy.
Frequently asked questions about Bobby Sands
How long was Bobby Sands on hunger strike?
Bobby Sands was on hunger strike for 66 days, from 1 March 1981 until his death on 5 May 1981.
Did Bobby Sands have any children?
Yes, he had one son named Gerard Sands. Very little is publicly known about Gerard’s current life.
What was Bobby Sands’ full name?
His full name was Robert Gerard Sands.
What did Bobby Sands die of?
He died of self-starvation as a result of his 66-day hunger strike in HM Prison Maze.
Was Bobby Sands elected while in prison?
Yes, he was elected as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone on 9 April 1981 while on hunger strike.
How many prisoners died in the 1981 hunger strike?
Ten prisoners died in total, including Bobby Sands. The strike ended on 3 October 1981.
What is the name of Bobby Sands’ book?
His diary was published posthumously as One Day in My Life.
Are there songs about Bobby Sands?
Yes, several songs exist, most notably “The Ballad of Bobby Sands” by The Wolfe Tones.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.