The Times and The Sunday Times have launched The Poppy Day Bomb, a new six-part investigative podcast exploring one of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s history.
The series revisits the 8 November 1987 bombing in Enniskillen, when the Provisional IRA planted a device during a Remembrance Sunday service, killing eleven people as they gathered to honour those lost in war.
Nearly four decades later, no one has been brought to justice, and many questions remain unanswered about what happened and why.
Hosted by The Times reporter Mario Ledwith, who was born in Enniskillen, the series follows his deeply personal search for truth and understanding.
Through interviews with survivors, families, republicans and former security officials, Ledwith investigates why the atrocity remains shrouded in silence.
“This massacre changed my town forever,” Ledwith said. “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.”
Producer Will Roe called the project “a brave and commendable piece of journalism,” highlighting its “compelling interviews and meticulous research.”
Dan Box, head of podcasts at The Times, added that The Poppy Day Bomb continues the paper’s tradition of high-quality investigative audio, following the success of Cocaine Inc. and Poison, which was later adapted for Channel 4.
The Poppy Day Bomb is available now on all major podcast platforms.
