3 October 1981 – The H-Blocks Hunger Strike ends

3 October 2023
The epic and heroic chapter in Irish history that was the H-Block Hunger Strike came to an end after 217 tortuous days on 3 October 1981. Free article
Neil ‘Plunkett’ O’Boyle remembered by Irish republicans in Scotland
29 June 2023

“We are the generation who are going to deliver on what Neil ‘Plunkett’ O’Boyle and so many others gave their lives for”. These were the words of Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty speaking at a centenary dinner in Motherwell commemorating Donegal and Newmains republican Neil ‘Plunkett’ O’Boyle. Free article
Military neutrality crucial to Ireland’s international roles
27 June 2023

As the coalition government’s controversial and flawed Consultative Forum on International Security Policy finishes its public sessions today, we publish an article from the current issue of An Phoblacht by Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy. He outlines Sinn Féin’s vision for Ireland playing a constructive role in the wider world, committed to diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace building, and cooperation with other states on global challenges. Free article
Tom Dunn: Rostrevor’s revolutionary hedge school master
9 June 2023

Chris Hazzard and Mick Murphy visited the grave of United Irishman Tom Dunn. Chris gives context to importance of Dunn 225 years since the 1798 rebellion. Free article
Watershed election underlines need to prepare for a new future
8 June 2023

In his latest blog, Declan Kearney reflects said the results of the recent council election underlines need to prepare for new future. Free article
“I’ll finish as I started”
7 June 2023

At a recent lecture on Ernie O’Malley by the historian and Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha, I was chatting with Belinda Nugent from the O’Malley/Russell Cumann and I mentioned that my Granda Michael Smyth knew Ernie O’Malley and was instrumental in his famous escape from Kilmainham Gaol in 1921 along with Simon Donnelly and Frank Teeling. Free article
Stunning council election sees Sinn Féin become largest party
26 May 2023
The council elections in the north has seen Sinn Féin become the biggest party in local government for the first time with a record 144 seats. Free article
Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O’Hara – Died on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh, 21 May 1981
20 May 2023

THURSDAY, 21 MAY 1981, witnessed the deaths of two more Hunger Strikers. Raymond McCreesh passed away at 2:30am. That evening, Patsy O’Hara died. The deaths of Raymond and Patsy – who had started the strike on the same day, died on the same day and were born within a fortnight of each other in February 1957 – marked a critical escalation in the prison struggle as well as the struggle outside the prisons walls. Free article
New Opportunities for the Basque Peace Process
12 May 2023

Declan Kearney has said constructive diplomatic and political initiatives will bring important impetus to the achievement of a permanent and democratic peace settlement in the Basque Country. Free article
Francis Hughes – Died on 12 May 1981 on hunger strike in the H-Blocks
11 May 2023

The death of Francis Hughes at the age of 25 on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh saw not the end of a legend but a new chapter in what was, by any measure, the story of one of the most fearless and tenacious guerrilla fighters of the 20th Century and of the Irish Republican Army. Free article
Defending the Good Friday Agreement
10 May 2023

A collection of current and former Sinn Fein MPs met in London with members of the legal profession, trade unionists, political activists, and members of the Irish community in Britain to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Free article
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Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures