Turf Lodge remembers

This weekend sees a series of events organised by the Turf Lodge Commemoration Committee will take place to remember the sacrifices made by hundreds of people from the area over the course of the struggle.

Spokesperson for Coiste Cuimhneacháin Mhairtígh Lóiste na Móna, Eddie Fay said: "in this year, the 25th Anniversary of the Hunger Strikes, we wanted to focus on the youth of the area and the many, many women who worked tirelessly on behalf of the POWs in the H Blocks and Armagh during the Blanket and No-Wash protests".

The weekend's events kick off on Friday night 1 September with the launch of a booklet about the area written by Lily Fitzsimmons, a women synonymous with the struggle for equality and social justice in the area. This is followed by a panel discussion on Women in Struggle chaired by Sinn Féin councillor Janice Austin. Former POWS Angela Nelson and Christine Beattie are among the speakers.

On Sunday 3 September a special commemorative Mass will be celebrated in Holy Trinity chapel at 1pm, followed, at 2pm, by a re-dedication of the Roll of Honour in the Garden of Remembrance and the unveiling of two commemorative plaques to 'The Unsung Heroes' and the 'Sheas Siad le Chéile' plaque.

"These are to remember the people who played significant yet unnoticed roles in the struggle and the people who stood by the Republican Movement through thick and thin", said Fay.

Afterwards a parade will go to the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery.