Frankie Gallagher
Donegal Ógra Shinn Féin
The 1st of March. The significance of this date to all republicans.
31 years since the end of Prisoner Of War status for imprisoned republicans. 26 years since Vol.Bobby Sands began the hungerstrike of 1981.
When the British government removed POW status for republicans and opened the H-blocks, a new phase of conflict was born.
It would last many long hard and painful years in this new infamous battle ground.
Some say the 5th of March the date that Bobby Sands died, is a more significant date to repulicans, but I beleive the 1st of March should be as important as Easter Sunday for all republicans.
The date the '81 hungerstrike began and those ten brave men made the choice that this was the path they would walk until victory or death.
Their sacrifice for the cause, their beliefs, and the fight to be recognised as POW's and the true soliders they where, is an inspiration to all.
Today I think about what I was doing this time last year planning marches, erecting billboards, attending events and what this day meant to me then and what it does today.
It fills me with pride but also an overwhelming sadness.
I did not live through the hungerstrike or even know about it until many years after it ended, but as a young republican it still has a deep meaning for me, as I think of the pain and the sacrifices made"yet the heartache and pain linger on, they're still here, though its so long since you've gone", these lyrics from Song for Marcella are so true , and also the line "but we're stronger now".
I believe this day should be rememberded by all republicans and on this date we should again, re-access our aims, tactics, goals and also the past as we continue the fight for what these men and many others died for and redouble our devotions to the struggle for freedom.
Tiocafaidh Ar La! Beidh si linn go foil!
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