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Irish Examiner
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Bobby Sands statue unveiled to mark anniversary of IRA hunger striker's death
A statue has been unveiled in memory of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in Belfast, marking the 44th anniversary of his death. The statue of the hunger striker and former MP was revealed at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook. Sands, a father-of-one, died on May 5 during the 1981 hunger strike, when he was aged 27. Seven IRA prisoners and three from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) died during the prison strike. Members of the pubic attend the unveiling of the Bobby Sands statue (Brian Lawless/PA) Their aim was to force then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher's government to recognise them as political prisoners. Sands was the first to refuse food in March 1981 and the first to starve to death after 66 days. Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was among those to attend the event to commemorate Sands. Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, the main speaker at the event, said: 'By their heroism and sacrifice, Bobby and the other hunger strikers ensured that the cause of Irish freedom was renewed, and now in 2025 we are closer than ever to undoing the justice of partition and reuniting our country. 'Their bravery set in motion a series of events that makes a momentum for political and social change unstoppable and irreversible. 'That momentum will carry us forward to the realisation of an Irish national democracy, a Republic where the rights and identity of all our people of whatever persuasion or background will be accommodated and cherished. 'Bobby didn't die just to prove he was right. He had a vision and a belief and an idea that his suffering and death would lead to a better world for the rest of us, and today, we are in a better place. 'We no longer need or expect our young men and women to risk their lives in liberty on active service or the hunger strike in prison cells. And that's not to say there isn't work to be done. 'We need to redouble our efforts, and all of us put our shoulders to the wheel. Irish unity is not inevitable. We need to make it happen. The statue was unveiled at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook (Brian Lawless/PA) 'Forty-four years after his death in the H-Blocks, Bobby Sands' name lives on.' The Belfast MLA said that Sands should not be remembered as a hunger striker only. 'Like all of us, he was multifaceted,' he added. 'He was a loving father of an eight-year-old son, and also a loving son and brother. Bobby was a friend and comrade to many. He was a community activist, particularly here in Twinbrook between his two periods of imprisonment. 'He was a musician, a songwriter, a poet and a prolific writer. He was a Gaeilgeoir. Bobby was a blanket man, a political prisoner of war, a socialist, a leader, a revolutionary, a volunteer of Óglaigh na hÉireann. 'Bobby Sands was a young man who resisted until his last breath. He was our hunger striker. He is our hero.' Read More Why committed Limerick trade unionist Frank McDonnell turned whistleblower
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Bobby Sands statue unveiled to mark anniversary of IRA hunger striker's death
The statue of the hunger striker and former MP was revealed at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook. Sands, a father-of-one, died on May 5 during the 1981 hunger strike, when he was aged 27. Seven IRA prisoners and three from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) died during the prison strike. Their aim was to force then UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher's government to recognise them as political prisoners. Sands was the first to refuse food in March 1981 and the first to starve to death after 66 days. Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was among those to attend the event to commemorate Sands. Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, the main speaker at the event, said: 'By their heroism and sacrifice, Bobby and the other hunger strikers ensured that the cause of Irish freedom was renewed, and now in 2025 we are closer than ever to undoing the justice of partition and reuniting our country. 'Their bravery set in motion a series of events that makes a momentum for political and social change unstoppable and irreversible. 'That momentum will carry us forward to the realisation of an Irish national democracy, a Republic where the rights and identity of all our people of whatever persuasion or background will be accommodated and cherished. 'Bobby didn't die just to prove he was right. He had a vision and a belief and an idea that his suffering and death would lead to a better world for the rest of us, and today, we are in a better place. 'We no longer need or expect our young men and women to risk their lives in liberty on active service or the hunger strike in prison cells. And that's not to say there isn't work to be done. ADVERTISEMENT 'We need to redouble our efforts, and all of us put our shoulders to the wheel. Irish unity is not inevitable. We need to make it happen. 'Forty-four years after his death in the H-Blocks, Bobby Sands' name lives on.' The Belfast MLA said that Sands should not be remembered as a hunger striker only. 'Like all of us, he was multifaceted,' he added. 'He was a loving father of an eight-year-old son, and also a loving son and brother. Bobby was a friend and comrade to many. He was a community activist, particularly here in Twinbrook between his two periods of imprisonment. 'He was a musician, a songwriter, a poet and a prolific writer. He was a Gaeilgeoir. Bobby was a blanket man, a political prisoner of war, a socialist, a leader, a revolutionary, a volunteer of Oglaigh na hEireann. 'Bobby Sands was a young man who resisted until his last breath. He was our hunger striker. He is our hero.'
BreakingNews.ie
04-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Bobby Sands statue unveiled to mark anniversary of IRA hunger striker's death
A statue has been unveiled in memory of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in Belfast, marking the 44th anniversary of his death. The statue of the hunger striker and former MP was revealed at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook. Advertisement Sands, a father-of-one, died on May 5th during the 1981 hunger strike, when he was aged 27. Seven IRA prisoners and three from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) died during the prison strike. Members of the pubic attend the unveiling of the Bobby Sands statue. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Their aim was to force then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher's government to recognise them as political prisoners. Sands was the first to refuse food in March 1981 and the first to starve to death after 66 days. Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was among those to attend the event to commemorate Sands. Advertisement Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, the main speaker at the event, said: 'By their heroism and sacrifice, Bobby and the other hunger strikers ensured that the cause of Irish freedom was renewed, and now in 2025 we are closer than ever to undoing the justice of partition and reuniting our country. 'Their bravery set in motion a series of events that makes a momentum for political and social change unstoppable and irreversible. 'That momentum will carry us forward to the realisation of an Irish national democracy, a Republic where the rights and identity of all our people of whatever persuasion or background will be accommodated and cherished. 'Bobby didn't die just to prove he was right. He had a vision and a belief and an idea that his suffering and death would lead to a better world for the rest of us, and today, we are in a better place. Advertisement 'We no longer need or expect our young men and women to risk their lives in liberty on active service or the hunger strike in prison cells. And that's not to say there isn't work to be done. 'We need to redouble our efforts, and all of us put our shoulders to the wheel. Irish unity is not inevitable. We need to make it happen. The statue was unveiled at the Republican Memorial Garden in Twinbrook. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. 'Forty-four years after his death in the H-Blocks, Bobby Sands' name lives on.' The Belfast MLA said that Sands should not be remembered as a hunger striker only. Advertisement 'Like all of us, he was multifaceted,' he added. 'He was a loving father of an eight-year-old son, and also a loving son and brother. Bobby was a friend and comrade to many. He was a community activist, particularly here in Twinbrook between his two periods of imprisonment. 'He was a musician, a songwriter, a poet and a prolific writer. He was a Gaeilgeoir. Bobby was a blanket man, a political prisoner of war, a socialist, a leader, a revolutionary, a volunteer of Oglaigh na hEireann. 'Bobby Sands was a young man who resisted until his last breath. He was our hunger striker. He is our hero.' Advertisement
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Meet the 2025 Kerry Rose hopefuls vying to represent the Kingdom at the Rose of Tralee
The contenders from right across the county and from all walks of life will take to the stage this Saturday night in Killarney in the hope of being selected to represent the Kingdom at this year's international festival. Last year's winning Kerry Rose was Emer Dineen from Castlegregory who proudly represented her county on the stage and now she will hand over her title to the 2025 Kerry Rose. Among the girls taking part in this year's Rose selection is Alazne Sertutxa (19) from Tralee who is a passionate dancer who is proud to work as an Assistant Dance Teacher at the Tara Dore School of Dance. Also from Tralee is Amy O'Connell (22) who lives rare condition called Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia. Andrea O'Connor (23) is from Milltown and recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College as an accredited primary school teacher while Aoibhe O'Connor (24) is a primary school teacher from Cahersiveen now living in Killarney. Another Tralee girl vying for the title is Atlanta Kennedy (25) who is studying to be an accountant having graduated from the MTU. Also taking to the stage is Castleisland girl Breda Cremins (29) who now lives in Leitrim and teaches French at St. Clare's Comprehensive School in Manorhamilton while Dania Qasim (27) is half-Irish, half-Palestinian and proud to be a blend of both cultures. She works as an insurance broker in Killarney. Emma Lynch (23) is from Tralee and is a recent MTU graduate of the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care while Ballymacelligott native Laura Daly (23) is a passionate dance teacher, and business owner. Lauren Walsh Hayes is 24 years old and from Tralee. She works in Penneys and attends a day service called Inspired. ADVERTISEMENT Also representing Inspired is Lydia Murphy, 21, from Athea. 26-year-old Mary O'Sullivan is from Glenflesk and is a passionate Gaeilgeoir who graduated as a primary teacher from Mary Immaculate College. Another Tralee native taking to the stage is Marykate Lacey who is 22 and is currently the manager of Lifestyle Sports in Tralee but is going through the process of joining An Garda Siochána. Megan O'Neill from Kilcummin is an opera singer with a background in Irish music and recently completed the Doctor in Music Performance Degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Molly Fleming Lennon is 20 and from Rathmore and works with her family's licensed outreach zoo, educating children across Ireland about exotic animals. Nadine Forrest is a 19-year-old qualified childcare professional from Brosna and Sarah-Jane Foley is 25 years-old from a strong farming background in Milltown and has worked with horses all over Europe and now works looking after the elderly.
