What you need to know re: Say Nothing and Gerard McAleese

Here’s what’s been posted in the PDX Hibernian Independent about Say Nothing. (Editor’s note: If you’re not sure whether it’s really worth it to subscribe to Hulu to see Say Nothing, there’s a free trial month offer you can grab to watch the nine episodes. Don’t forget to cancel.) Gerard McAleese, who owns Kells in Portland OR with his wife Lucille, came of age in Belfast during the 1970s. The Troubles lasted from 1972 to 1998. He’ll share some of his stories from those days on the same streets seen in Say Nothing at the Portland HIbernian Society meeting at Kells Restaurant 112 SW Second Ave. on January 16. No host dinner at six. Gerard at seven.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY NOTHING  

Since its publication in 2018, Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe has been recommended – almost required – reading for anyone with even a bit of interest in Ireland. The book was such a huge success that suddenly millions of people knew what it meant to live – and die - during The Troubles. Even if you’ve not read the book, I wager you’ll be intrigued by the way the story is told in the nine episodes of the Hulu series based on the book. (“I was never confused, only gripped throughout,” The Guardian) If you’ve read it, you’ll appreciate he way this story is told; capturing the callousness of life during wartime in Belfast in the 1970s. CLICK HERE for a lot more information – news reports, reviews, exclusive photos from West Belfast, reaction from the real people portrayed and why this appears at the end of every episode: Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA or participating in any IRA-related violence. 

SAY NOTHING AGAIN 

There’s no intention here to spoil any of the surprises in SAY NOTHING, the Hulu series based on the book of the same name about The Troubles in Northern Ireland. So, let’s just say, if you haven’t seen Season One yet, there won't be a Season Two. “Unlikely,” said the show’s creator Joshua Zetumer, “It had to be one season. We are trying to cram as much into one season as most shows do in three.” Forbes reports Say Nothing is top o’ the pops, so to speak. “Say Nothing currently has a stellar 93% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a matching 93% from audiences, making it one of the highest reviewed recent shows across streaming services.” If you’ve seen it and want to see more about The Troubles, “Zetumer recommends Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland. A four-part docuseries that "mixes extraordinary archive footage and emotionally compelling first-person testimonies to create an intimate, multi-generational portrait of Northern Ireland’s past, present and future with an emphasis on understanding and empathy for all points of view," It’s streaming on PBS.org. SPOILER ALERT! If you don’t want to know how it all turns out, DO NOT read this article about a threatened lawsuit against Disney by one of the sisters portrayed in Say Nothing.