Young republicans from the length and breadth of the country gathered in Camlough last weekend for the National Hunger Strike Youth camp, to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike.
Recreation of Hunger Strike Cell in Derry
The weekend came as the culmination of commemorative events organised by young republicans over many months
30 years to the day after a 24 year old Martin Hurson died on Hunger Strike after 46 days, the 13th of July saw young republicans the length and breadth of the country active in remembering the Hunger strikes.
Public Talk in Dublin with Seánna Walsh and Martin Ferris TD
In recognising the role played by young people in the hunger strike, and the young age of those who died on hunger strike, young republicans participated in events as diverse as book readings, public talks, film showings, banner drops, white line pickets, commemorations, football competitions and demonstrations. The actions involved young people all over the country, with actions taking part in Athlone, Mayo, Tyrone, Belfast, Cork, Donegal, Derry, Meath, Dublin, Wexford and Sligo.
The same week saw young republicans in Donegal participate in the production of Laurence McKeown's acclaimed play 'Laughter of our Children' (above).
These form part of a year long acknowledgment and commemoration of the role which young people played in the hunger strike and which they are still playing today, a point which is of particular significance with the advent of the National Youth Strategy, to be officially launched at the Ard Fheis.
Public Talk in Athlone with Seán Lynch MLA
White Line Picket in Belfast
This effort which involed the day of action, as well as other commemorations and reconstructions had as its highlight the National Hunger Strike Youth Camp.
Campers arrived in good numbers on the Friday evening, and in good humour, despite the mixed weather.
After the camp was set up, activists were welcomed to Camlough and the camp was officially opened before the contingent travelled to the Barcroft Community Centre in Newry for a talk on the Legacy of the Hunger Strike with Gerry McConville and Jim Gibney. A fascinating discussion touched on issues such as the feelings of the families and the role which they played, and the relationship with prison warders before during and after the Hunger Strike.
Following the well attended and emotional event activists returned to camlough for a lively function, music provided courtesy of activists themselves, with Dave Collins and Daith Kellaghan being particularly to the floor, however with no contributions from Liam 'I have a cold' Lappin.
Further entertainment was provided by the regular entry of a bat to the function room. Speculation that the Bat was sent by Jim Allister MLA to observe the camp remains unconfirmed.
The Saturday morning began with activists visiting the Hunger Strike Exhibition located in the Old School building in Camlough, where Raymond McCreesh himself had gone to school. The exhibition of Hunger Strike artefacts from 1981 as well as information about their context and previous hunger strikes has toured around the country over recent months, but had been greatly added to with local artefacts, including personal effects of Raymond McCreesh, letters to and from his family, reconstructed cells.
The Radio which prisoners used to listen to the election of Bobby Sands as MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone
In a similar vein, activists then embarked upon a historical bus tour of South Armagh with ex-prisoner Thomas Marren. The tour brought them from Raymond mcCreesh's grave in Camlough, to Mullaghbane, to Crossmaglen, and back, taking in sights such as former British Army Barrack sites, scenes of ambushes, monuments, and involving discussions of the resistance shown in South Armagh over many generations, and indeed the earlier history of the area, which was an area of great political significance in early Ireland.
Young Republicans in Crossmaglen
Following a short break upon returning to Camlough, former hunger striker, Laurence mcKeown, spoke on the way that the Hunger Strike has been portrayed in the Arts and in literature in 'Artisitic Impressions of the Hunger Strike'. Laurence had co-written the play 'The Laughter of our Children', and the screenplay for the acclaimed H3, and was therefore uniqeuly well positioned to discuss this area. The fascinating discussion noted how the impressions of the hunger strike had shifted significantly over recent years, on account of the development of the assembly, the absence of conflict, and indeed the initiatives of particular artists, such as Steve McQueen and the recent film 'Hunger'. Activists engaged with the discussion to a great extent, and Laurence, challenged all present not to take all regarding the Hunger Strike, or even politics generally, as a given but to question and to find out for themselves.
The final talk of the weekend involved the ongoing developments in the Basque country, with the development of the Abertzale Left, and Bildu. Izaskun Goienetxea of the Irish Basque Solidarity Committees, and a Basque Youth activist, explained to comrades the current situation in the Basque country, the great successes in the recent municipal elections, which showed the political strength and appeal of the nationalist movement, but also the difficulties which still existed as regards state repression, as regards prisoners, and the legal difficulties put in their way by the spanish state. Izaskun signalled that they would take heart from current successes, and intended to develop the movement by ensuring that they would move in tandem with, and on behalf of the community, and that ultimately the community would succeed in reaching their political objectives.
The evening saw further entertainment and music in Camlough, as activists from all over the country took the opportunity to meet other young republicans and develop new friendships.
Sunday the 14th represented one of the most significant days of this year for republicans, as some 20,000 republicans gathered in Camlough to commemorate the sacrifice of the 10 Hunger Strikers, and the role they played in the struggle. It was heartening to see such a large crowd, and indeed a youthful crowd.
Young Republicans with 'Delorean Nationalist Workers' banner from 1981
The sacrifices of the Hunger Strikers continues to inspire young republicans even today, and stand as remarkable example of selfless commitment to their political cause. Throughout the year young republicans have endeavoured to remember and commemorate them, and will cotinue to do so, and to take inspiration from them for years to come
