Fermanagh Sinn Féin Youth event > The 1981 Hunger Strike and Ireland today

The 1981 Hunger Strike and how events 30 years ago have shaped modern Ireland

TWO of Sinn Féin's youngest stars, Pearse Doherty TD for Donegal South-West, and Seanad candidate Kathryn Reilly, will be the main speakers at a Sinn Féin Youth Engagement in Donagh Hall on Saturday 2^nd April at 2pm.

The public talk will focus on the 1981 Hunger Strike and how events 30 years ago have shaped modern Ireland.

There will also be a focus on issues of today, particularly around jobs, and education.

There will be an opportunity for young people to raise any issues that are impacting on their lives.

Encouraging people to attend the youth engagement, Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Ciarán May said:

Pearse and Kathryn are two of Sinn Féin's youngest and most gifted activists, providing quality leadership and vision.

It is particularly apt to have this event in Fermanagh as Bobby Sands, the first person to die on the 1981 Hunger Strike, was elected MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone with a bigger mandate than the then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The Hunger Strike was a defining moment in Irish history and a catalyst in the republican struggle, propelling republicans into the electoral arena, internationalising our struggle and galvanising support for our vision.

The Hunger Strikers were all young men: Patsy O'Hara was only 23 and the oldest Hunger Striker was Joe McDonnell at only 29. It is important for young people today to learn and understand the circumstances and indeed the motivations which led to young people only 30 years ago willing to die on hunger strike. The youth engagement promises to be extremely interesting, educational and informative – an event not to be missed.