Irish Hungerstrikes

In 1981, Irish republican volunteers in a British jail on Irish soil undertook a fast to the death to retain their status as political prisoners. The British government, led by Margaret Thatcher, demanded they be classified as criminals.

Ten men died on the doorstep of the British government in one of the most turbulent periods in the tragic history of Anglo-Irish relations.

In tribute to the ten men
who gave their lives on hungerstrike:

Vol. Bobby Sands, IRA
Vol. Francis Hughes, IRA
Vol. Patsy O’Hara, INLA
Vol. Raymond McCreesh, IRA
Vol. Joe McDonnell, IRA
Vol. Martin Hurson, IRA
Vol. Kevin Lynch, INLA
Vol. Kieran Doherty, IRA
Vol. Thomas McElwee, IRA
Vol. Michael Devine, INLA
Bobby Sands
Sands
5 May 81
66 days
Francis Hughes
Hughes
12 May 81
59 days
Patsy O'Hara
O’Hara
21 May 81
61 days
Raymond McCreesh
McCreesh
21 May 81
61 days
Joe McDonnell
McDonnell
8 July 81
61 days
Martin Hurson
Hurson
13 July 81
46 days
Kevin Lynch
Lynch
1 Aug 81
71 days
Kieran Doherty
Doherty
2 Aug 81
73 days
Tom McElwee
McElwee
8 Aug 81
62 days
Mickey Devine
Devine
20 Aug 81
60 days