‘Women in Struggle’ Honouree - Susan McGillion

Susan or Mrs McGillion as she is fondly known is a stalwart and a backbone to the republican movement in Strabane, no more, no less.

Despite her advanced years and at times ill health she is a constant at all events and a key figure in the background, supporting and assisting in the organising of all that needs to be done.



While many at her age would have justifiably hung up their boots, and retired following many long years of hard work and service, to Susan, it simply is not an option, republicanism, achieving our objectives is not simply politics, it is a struggle and has become a way of life to her.

She has been involved in every major struggle in the past 40 years, marching with her good friend Ivan Barr and the people of Strabane for Civil Rights, organising against Internment, protesting and campaigning for the young men and women enduring the blanket, no wash protests and eventually Hungerstrike, and she was a key figure in the PDF in Strabane, always ensuring that the political prisoners and their families had enough to get them by.

Other’s needs always came before hers, and she has led a selfless life that inspires the younger activists of today. She is a model of how we should act.

Mrs McGillion was devastated on hearing of the death of her loving and close friend, civil rights leader and Sinn Féin Cllr Ivan Barr just 2 years ago, and in his memory she ensured that their local Sinn Féin cumann was renamed in his memory.

The McCafferty/McAleer/Barr cumann as it is now known, possess a new banner which will play as a constant reminder of Ivan. In times like this Susan demonstrated the strong loyalty and sense of duty to her friend’s and their memory.

A proud Irish language activist, she has worked to ensure the promotion of the language, and uses it as much as possible. She was the oldest person in the north to achieve a GCSE in Irish, reminding people that you’re never too old for anything.

We in Ógra never fail to be amazed at the work ethic of Mrs McGillion, as she is always present and supportive of Ógra events in Strabane. There are more pictures of Susan on the Ógra blog than there are of some Ógra activists.

It is people like Susan that makes us realise what it means to be a republican, makes us feel proud to be part of a movement and struggle that possesses the finest people that Ireland has known. Susan is one of those people.