The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Adams to launch hunger strike book in Tralee
SINN Féin President Gerry Adams will be in Tralee this Thursday to launch a new book on Irish republicans who died while on hunger strike.
The book ‘Ireland’s Hunger for Justice’ tells the stories of 22 republicans – from Tomás Ashe in 1917 to the 10 IRA members that died in the 1981 Long Kesh/ Maze protest – who lost their lives while on hunger strike.
Early in 2017 a committee consisting of Martin Ferris TD, John Buckley, Pól O’Clúbháin, Seán O’Braoin, Éamonn deBairéad, Seán O’Luing, Tadhg O’Duinneacha came together as The Tomás Ághas Centenary Memorial Committee.
Their intention was to honour Thomas Ashe, the centenary of whose death falls on September 25.
“What we set out to do was to honour the memory of Lispole native Thomas Ashe, and while we discussed Ashe’s life and death we realised that there were 21 others who also gave their lives on hunger strike from 1917 to 1981. We decided to write a short book detailing as much as possible the story of each of these brave men. Some died in British jails but others too died in Irish jails and have almost been written out of history,” said Deputy Ferris.
“I am honoured to have played a small role in bringing this book to print, hunger strike was sometimes the only option republican prisoners had to use, the suffering and sacrifice of these 22 brave men should never be forgotten. Neither should the sacrifice of the thousands of men and women who also took part in prison protests throughout the decades,” Deputy Ferris said.
The launch of the book takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 21 at the Rose Hotel in Tralee.
At the launch Gerry Adams will also be joined by Sinn Féin MLA, former IRA hunger striker and Maze escapee Gerry Kelly.
The book launch – which is open to the public – will also include an exhibition on hunger strikes.