The Boxer and the Bomber
Episode description
[An historical audio drama]
Based on a true story. Dublin, St. Patrick’s Day 1923.
A bloody civil war has been raging in the city for almost two years. Brothers, sisters and friends have often found themselves on opposing sides. In an attempt to restore order the new state have started executing dissidences in high numbers. Opposing forces react by calling for a compulsory period of national morning. All public amusements are to be shut down. Anyone staging or attending a public event leave themselves open to terrorist attacks by the opposition. Sounds like the perfect time to stage a world championship boxing match in the city right? What could go wrong?
Our story is told from the point of view of two characters you normally wouldn’t associate with civil war Ireland.
The Battling Siki – The current light heavy-weight champion of the world. A Senegalese fighter, who’s faced racism and marginalisation his whole life. His last title fight in Paris was marred by a match fixing scandal. Ireland is the only country willing to stage his title defense. Siki isn’t afraid of anything but he has no interest in going to a war zone until one morning he wakes up hungover on a ship bound for Dublin.
Lizzie has grown up in rural Ireland. Her family were heavily involved in the local struggle during the war of independence. Their home became the de facto area headquarters and safe house. She rejected the treaty after the war and found herself on the side opposing the newly formed Irish state during the civil war. She was rejected by her family and is now living in Dublin, where she carries out clandestine actions against state forces. She’s just been given her biggest task to date – to lay a bomb at the arena on the night of the fight.
Written by John Roche
Cover art design by Ricky Burgess
Epilogue written by Dermot Tobin
Voice actors: Laura Mary Byrne and Ibrahim Sorie Kabba
Special thanks to Ciaran 'Drembot' Dunphy
Full transcript here: https://medium.com/@mrjohnroche_42475/yarn-13-the-bomber-and-the-boxer-51f41f6d2a43 -
Comments and feedback very welcome!
Email: yarnstorypodcast (at) gmail.com.