Felons' Club gets a new look

Liam Shannon (Chair of Felons) and Alex Maskey at official opening of the lounge

THE FELONS’ CLUB in west Belfast is legendary not just in Ireland but beyond these shores and tribute was paid to the committee and members for the “sound work” they have carried out over the years in support of former political prisoners and the republican struggle by Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey when he opened the newly-refurbished lounge last Friday.
The lounge, which gives the club a new modern look, is testament to the commitment of Liam Shannon and the committee and the support of the ex-POW fraternity over the years.
Alex Maskey recounted the history of the Irish Republican Felons’ Association – better know as simply “The Felons”  – over the decades.
The idea for establishing an association for republican ex-POWs was first mooted in Crumlin Road Jail during the 1940s when Gerry Adams Snr and his good friend, Joe Campbell from Ardoyne, discussed the possibility of establishing some form of ex-prisoners’ association.
Some 20 years later, their ideas took form and an inaugural meeting of the Felons took place on 21 April 1964 in The Long Bar, Cyprus Street, Belfast. Up to 40 former prisoners attended.
Gerry Adams was the first chairperson, Joe Campbell was treasurer and Jimmy Perry was elected secretary.
On 24 May 1964, ‘The Felons’ acquired a premises above Hector’s Shop on the Falls Road for £4 a week.
“It is hard to imagine that ‘The Club’, as it is affectionately known, has grown to be such an institution in Belfast,” Alex Maskey said, “from its humble roots in Hector’s to where it is now is testament to the work of successive committees and the support of the republican base across the city.
“I am honoured to carry out the official opening of this new lounge,” said Maskey, “and long may the work of the Association go on in support of the republican ex-prisoner community and the other causes it supports.”