From D102 to Paulo Freire: an Irish journey

Abstract

Surviving the H-Block prisons and hunger strikes of the 1970s and 1980s in northern Ireland, Laurence McKeown connects his political struggles as an Irish republican to his learning journey with The Open University. The politics of struggle mesh with the politics of learning as Republican autonomy and resistance to British attempts to criminalise their struggle collide with The Open University’s demands for academic assessment. McKeown’s intriguing account of exceptionally challenging circumstances is extraordinary testament to The Open University’s innovative courage, the determination of a brilliant student and the power of a good mentor.