Large Attendance at Hunger Strike Parade

The rebel city of Cork turned out in large numbers on Sunday to remember and pay tribute to Irelands Hunger strikers. This included Cork native Terence McSwiney who died whilst imprisoned in and English gaol in 1920. The parade was timed to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the 10 H-Block martyrs who died in 1981.

Amongst those in attendance was a delegation from Ogra Shinn Fein in Tyrone. Demonstrating the strong link between Cork and Tyrone was a banner from West Tyrone Ogra bearing the name of Cork native Dermot Crowley, who the cumann was named after, alongside deceased Tyrone Ogra activist Paula Murphy.

The march formed up at Connolly Hall and proceeded to the United Irishmen monument at grand parade.The MacCurtain/McSwiney and Carrick on Suir Republican Flute Bands provided the music. A large number of Republican banners were also evident. As the parade made its way through the bustling streets of Cork it attracted huge interest from passers by.

At the United Irishmen monument local Sinn Fein Councillor Mick Nugent chaired proceedings. This began with the reading of the Hunger Strike Roll of Honour as well as a rendition of the Rhythm of Time by Bobby Sands.

Malachy McCreesh, brother of Armagh Hunger Striker Raymond then took to the podium. He spoke passionately about the lead up to and on the 1981 Hunger Strike. His vivid and raw recollections of the time drew a large crowd of passers by to stop and listen to the proceedings.
Seanna Walsh, who was the main speaker spoke of the unfinished work for Irish Republicans in 2011 to ensure the vision of the 1981 Hungerstrikers becomes a reality.

To conclude proceedings former blanketman and 1983 escapee Tony Kelly alongside Tony McNally, both from the Spirit of Freedom band gave a powerful rendition of 'The Peoples Own MP'.

Speaking following the commemoration Stevie McGahan, from the Dermot Crowley/Paula Murphy Ogra Cumann in West Tyrone said:

'We were proud to be in the Rebel City today for this commemoration. The strong bond between Cork and Tyrone was particularly evident today. Our own local Ogra cumann is named after Cork native IRA Volunteer Dermot Crowley who died far from his own home in 1973 in Omagh. We are proud to march with Dermot on our banner when we travel to various events throughout Ireland.

'Todays commemoration remembered Irelands Hunger Strikers and I was particularly honoured to listen to Malachy McCreesh and Seanna Walsh who spoke of their own personal memories of the time and the task that we face into. That is ensuring the Republic for which the Hunger strikers gave their lives is achieved in our time. Certainly Young Republicans in Ogra Shinn Fein are determined to play our part in this mammoth task.

'It is furthermore clear that we have support throughout the island in our endeavours whether that be Tyrone, Cork, Antrim, Galway or Kilkenny. And it is with such support that we can achieve the 32 County Socialist Republic for which our Hunger Strikers died for.