Hunger Strikers

Memorial mural dedicated to the Hunger Strikers, particularly those who died in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike in the Maze (Long Kesh) Prison, as well as earlier hunger strikers who died in England.

Key Elements of the Mural:
1. Central Message – “Remembering the Hunger Strikers”
The phrase "Remembering the Hunger Strikers" is prominently displayed in gold lettering at the top.
This sets the tone for commemoration and remembrance of those who died for political prisoner status.
2. Portraits & Details of the Hunger Strikers
The mural is divided into three sections, each displaying hand-painted portraits of the hunger strikers, along with:

The number of days they endured the hunger strike before dying.
Their age at death.
The date of their passing.
The Ten Hunger Strikers of 1981:

Bobby Sands MP – 66 days, died 5th May 1981 (aged 27).
Francis Hughes – 59 days, died 12th May 1981 (aged 25).
Raymond McCreesh – 61 days, died 21st May 1981 (aged 24).
Patsy O’Hara – 61 days, died 21st May 1981 (aged 23).
Joe McDonnell – 61 days, died 8th July 1981 (aged 29).
Martin Hurson – 46 days, died 13th July 1981 (aged 24).
Kevin Lynch – 71 days, died 1st August 1981 (aged 25).
Kieran Doherty TD – 73 days, died 2nd August 1981 (aged 25).
Thomas McElwee – 62 days, died 8th August 1981 (aged 23).
Michael Devine – 60 days, died 20th August 1981 (aged 27).
Two Earlier Hunger Strikers in England:

Michael Gaughan – 64 days, died 3rd June 1974 (aged 24) in England.
Frank Stagg – 62 days, died 12th February 1976 (aged 28) in England.
These two hunger strikers preceded the 1981 hunger strikes, dying while imprisoned in England.
3. Symbolism – The Lark in Barbed Wire
At the bottom center, there is an image of a lark entangled in barbed wire.
The lark is a symbol of freedom and resistance, often associated with Irish Republican prisoners.
The barbed wire represents imprisonment, reinforcing the struggle faced by the hunger strikers.
4. Sponsorship – St. James' Commemoration Committee & Sinn Féin
The bottom left corner contains text attributing the mural to:
St. James' Commemoration Committee.
St. James' Sinn Féin, indicating local political and community involvement in the memorial.
Historical & Political Context
The 1981 Hunger Strike was a protest by IRA and INLA prisoners demanding Special Category Status (i.e., recognition as political prisoners).
The most famous hunger striker, Bobby Sands, was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Fermanagh and South Tyrone while on hunger strike.
The British government, led by Margaret Thatcher, refused to concede to their demands, leading to their deaths.
The hunger strikes radicalized Irish nationalism and significantly influenced Sinn Féin’s rise in electoral politics.