Nearly four decades after one of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s history, The Times and The Sunday Times have launched a compelling new investigative podcast: “The Poppy Day Bomb.”
This six-part series revisits the 8 November 1987 Enniskillen bombing, a Remembrance Sunday atrocity that claimed eleven lives and left a community scarred forever. Hosted by Enniskillen native Mario Ledwith, the podcast examines the unanswered questions, lingering trauma, and the quest for justice that continues to this day.
A Dark Day in Enniskillen: The 1987 Poppy Day Bombing
On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 1987, families and veterans gathered in Enniskillen to honor the war dead. In the midst of this solemn ceremony, the Provisional IRA planted a bomb, killing eleven civilians and injuring dozens more.
The attack sent shockwaves across Northern Ireland and the world. Yet, nearly forty years later:
- No one has been brought to justice
- Many key details remain unclear
- Survivors and families continue to grapple with unanswered questions
The event marked a profound rupture in the community and shaped Enniskillen’s modern history.
Mario Ledwith’s Personal Investigation
The podcast is hosted by Mario Ledwith, a reporter for The Times, who was born in Enniskillen. Ledwith’s personal connection to the town adds depth and sensitivity to the investigation.
In his words:
“This massacre changed my town forever. Hardly anything was known about how this dreadful attack unfolded. I spent twelve months investigating, speaking to those directly affected, to understand why the victims’ search for answers has been so difficult.”
Ledwith’s investigation blends journalistic rigor with a deeply human perspective, aiming to uncover what went wrong, why the truth has been so elusive, and the impact on the families left behind.
