5 April 2001 Edition

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Adams to perform tree planting ceremony

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams will plant 12 trees in memory of each of the hunger strikers who have died during the course of the past 30 years of conflict, from Michael Gaughan in 1974 to Michael Devine in 1981.

The ceremony is set to be the highlight of a weekend of events organised by the Roddy McCorley Society on its Glen Road premises over the weekend of 4, 5 and 6 May, marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands.

On Friday evening, 4 May, the society will be hosting the epic hunger strike play An Dialann Ocrais, written by Peter Sheridan, which follows events from the end of the first hunger strike in 1980 to the beginning of the second hunger strike in March 1981.

On Saturday, as well as the tree planting ceremony, an exhibition of photos and memorabilia from the period will be held in the Tom Williams room. The Roddys have also made available a video which explores the events of 1981.

That evening, the Irish Brigade will entertain and there will be a late bar.

On Sunday, after the annual Hunger Strike Commemoration march, which takes place along the Falls Road, the Roddy McCorley Writers group have organised a reading of poetry and prose composed by the hunger strikers. A guest speaker will also give a talk about the hunger strike.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland