“The growth of Irish Republicanism in Kilkenny/ Carlow and throughout Ireland is down to the selfless dedication and self sacrifice of the Hunger Strikers of 1981”, according to Ógra Shinn Féin organiser in Kilkenny/Carlow, Peadar de Bluit.Peadar was speaking as the National Ógra Shinn Féin ‘On The One Road’ tour arrived in Kilkenny.
A vigil in memory of the hunger strikers of 1981 attracted a great crowd and even more attention from the people of Kilkenny on Monday evening. An ÓSF Hungerstrike banner was erected on the railings of Kilkenny City Hall.Following the vigil, there was a launch of Awaiting the Lark in a local hotel.
Kevin Dunphy, who served 10 years in an English Jail during the 1970/80s, addressed the gathering. He spoke of how earlier the weapon of the hunger strike had been used by republicans in English Jails.
Speaking of the 1981 Hunger Strike, Kevin described how helpless he and the other prisoners in England felt to affect change in Long Kesh and Armagh. He described emotionally how he watched 10 men die in the cages of Long Kesh. He also congratulated those involved for compiling Awaiting the Lark as a permanent reminder of the feelings of the people who were involved directly in the prison protest in 1981.
On Tuesday morning Ógra distributed over 2000 leaflets in a local housing estate. The ‘On The One Road’ tour then continued on to their next port of call, Cork City.Local Organiser Peadar de Bluit hailed both events as a huge success.
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