Over 2,000 people, including former Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams, have taken part in a parade in Cork City to commemorate those who died on hunger strike.
Sinn Féin commemorated men who died on hunger strike in 1981 during The Troubles as well as former Cork Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney.
The group assembled at Kennedy Quay this afternoon before parching to the National Monument on Grand Parade.
Sinn Féin Vice-President and Northern Irish Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill addressed the crowds who gathered in honour of hunger strikers in the 20th century.
Mr Adams said it is important to remember those who lost their lives in the name of Irish republicanism.
The Rhythm of Time echoes across Cork City - there is an inner thing my friend.
It is one of the great haunting poems of struggle in Ireland. It can b found on the Bobby Sands Trust with the story of the hunger strike:https://t.co/8efGaliIMV pic.twitter.com/UeMH7iGyq8— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 27, 2023
“For those of us who were friend and comrades of the 1981 hunger strikers, it’s good to celebrate the lives of those who died in those awful hard times,” he said.
“We’re very aware we’re in different times.
“We have the possibility of keeping moving forward and uniting our country.”
Sinn Féin has faced some criticism for commemorating Mr MacSwiney, who died in London on hunger strike in 1920 in his campaign for Irish independence.
Irish Examiner Columist Mick Clifford previously told Newstalk Sinn Féin is “rewriting history”.
“When McSweeney died on hunger strike in London, he was representing the people of Cork – he was involved in the national movement for independence that had the support of the large majority,” he said.
“The Provisional IRA was formed in 1970, and they were subsequently involved in a 25-year conflict where they tried to violently impose a 32-county state on this island against the wishes of the majority.”
The National Hunger Strike Commemoration is in Cork today in solidarity with the 22 Republican hunger strikers who died between 1917 and 1981. Five of these were from Cork. pic.twitter.com/XPcgv4Bb4b
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 27, 2023
Mr Adams said there are clear similarities between the 1981 hunger strikers and Mr MacSwiney.
“I know there are those who engage in revisionism, but clearly having read MacSwiney’s Principles of Irish Freedom, Bobby Sands could have written that,” he said.
“It was different times, different circumstances, different politics, but thankfully those hard days are behind us.”
