11. Bonus Q&A with Mark Horgan and Patrick Radden Keefe
Summary
Mark Horgan hosts author Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss their respective projects, *Steak Knife* and *Say Nothing*, which both explore Northern Ireland’s Troubles. They examine the challenges of portraying historical trauma, the role of outsiders in storytelling, and the ethical complexities of using sources like the Boston College tapes. The conversation highlights how both works aim to humanize victims and informers while navigating the delicate balance between entertainment and historical responsibility.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Parallel production of Steak Knife and Say Nothing
Patrick Radden Keefe on the five-year journey of Say Nothing
The origin story: From New Yorker article to book and series
Breaking silence: Interviewing victims and former paramilitaries
Balancing entertainment with the dark reality of the Troubles
The advantages and duties of being an outsider journalist
Navigating the McConville family's reaction to the TV series
Building trust: How strangers opened up to the creators
Using the Anthony McIntyre confession tapes responsibly
A pivotal moment: Seamus Kearney visits his brother's death site
Understanding the moral injury of former IRA members
Listener Q&A: Verifying truth and new MI5 file revelations
The cultural moment in Northern Ireland and closing thoughts
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