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8 August 2013

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From the H-Blocks of Long Kesh to Monaghan – The Spirit of Freedom is burning bright

Sunday’s event was a show of solidarity with the families of the H-Block dead along with Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg (who died as prisoners in England) as it recognised their courage and steadfastness during a crucial period of our struggle

Ex-prisoner now An Phoblacht photo-journalist Peadar Whelan looks back at the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Monaghan last weekend

Words and photos by Peadar Whelan

THE organisers of the National Hunger Strike Rally held in Monaghan Town on Sunday 4 August, the 32nd anniversary of the funeral of Volunteer Kieran Doherty, are to be commended for a parade and pageantry that not only commemorated but celebrated the sacrifice of the bravest of our republican martyrs, our hunger strikers.

Sunday’s event was also a show of solidarity with the families of the H-Block dead along with Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg (who died as prisoners in England) as it recognised their courage and steadfastness during a crucial period of our struggle.

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Derry ex-POWs

Thousands of republicans from across the country and many from abroad packed Monaghan Town, the centre of the Monaghan/Cavan Leinster House constituency that elected Belfast Hunger Striker Kieran Doherty as their TD in 1981.

The votes of the people then shamed the Dublin Establishment that stood idly by during the H-Block Hunger Strike, giving Margaret Thatcher’s British Government the green light to let 10 prisoners die.

Sunday's parade took place in a vibrant atmosphere despite the solemnity of the occasion, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and with foremost in our minds the quote of Bobby Sands:

“Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.”

It was fitting that we celebrated the humanity of such brave Volunteers and honoured their qualities.

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An IRA Volunteer from the Operation Harvest re-enactment

The pageantry of Sunday’s parade, retelling the different phases of struggle for Ireland’s freedom from 1798 to the present day, and seeing Senator Kathryn Reilly lighting ‘The Flame of Freedom’ carving at the rally’s platform added a brilliant layer of history to the rally.

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Coatbridge, Scotland, contingent pass a re-enactment

The authentic costumes and props highlighted the professionalism of the re-enactments.

What was really heartening was the number of young people who attended Sunday’s commemoration and so many people commented on how Sinn Féin’s future is bright given the political talent that these young activists are bringing to the party.

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• Mairead Farrell Republican Youth Committee

Sunday may have been about remembering but clearly the message coming from Monaghan last weekend is that we are facing the future with confidence as we look back in friendship, love at the inspiration of our comrades who have given their lives.

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Re-enactment of the Blanket Protest for the restoration of political status and against criminalisation

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