In the Name of the Father : Banging the lids

Banging the lids

What was the deal with the townsfolk banging the lids? I know it was a signal of some sort. But were they telling the Irish blokes which way was a safe passage to run? Or trying to make noise to ruin the British' concentration? Or a signal to say 'the British are coming'?

Also, was the lid-banging based on reality?

Love's turned to lust and blood's turned to dust in my heart.

Re: Banging the lids

(Old thread, but it's worth a response)

It had a basis in reality. During the time of the Troubles, women were often acting as lookouts and once any kind of action was happening (raids, etc.), the banging of the lids acted as a signal to let anyone (IRA or more generally, Irish protesters) in the nearby area know what was up.

You can see more of the same in Hunger (2008 Steve McQueen film), itself like In the Name of the Father based on actual events, where people who supported the prisoners going on the hunger strike took to banging the lids as a means of protest.

Re: Banging the lids

Thanks for the explanation. :)
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