A look at the H-Block candidates that ran in the 1981 General Election, not just the Official Anti H-Block Armagh candidates but others such as Independent Fianna Fáil, Peoples Democracy and Anti H-Block Independents.
I’ve created a website for the podcast too, should you wish to listen to other episodes etc..
“H-Block and its Background” a pamphlet from Denis Faul and Raymond Murray. Its text had originally appeared in a 1980 edition of ‘Doctrine and Life’. I’ve scanned and uploaded the pamphlet in pdf format here
From the 1981 General Election a leaflet from Vincent Doherty of Peoples Democracy running in Dublin North Central which was Charles Haugheys constituencey. The leaflet also has a message of support from Bernadette McAliskey. He polled 1481 votes and missed out on a seat.
Many thanks to the sender
From the 1981 General Election Leaflets from Hunger Striker Kevin Lynch who was running in Waterford. He polled 3,337 votes but failed to win a seat. He died on the 1st August 1981.
Many thanks to the sender
From late June 1981 a leaflet issued by the Dublin7/ Cabra H-Block Group “Don’t Let More Prisoners Die In The Blocks” .At this stage four of the Hunger Strikers had died. Bobby Sands, Kieran Doherty and Paddy Agnew had all been elected to The Dail or Westminster. The leaflet also advertises activities that were coming up.
From July 1981 (at which stage six of the Hunger Strikers had died) a leaflet from the H Block /Armagh Committee looking to build support among the Trade Union movement for the Hunger Strikers and their demands.
From the 1981 Hunger Strike a leaflet “To All GAA Fans… Support The Hunger Strikers”. The leaflet give details of how the GAA Central Council had issued a directive that no support by any part of the GAA should be given to the H-Block Campaign as it was ‘Party Political’ . The GAA had previously supported the Hunger Strikers five demands.
A Hunger Strike Memorial card issued by The Royal Victoria Hospital Workers Against H-Block/Armagh.
Many thanks to the sender.
From the 1981 General Election a poster for H-Block candidate Tom McAllister who was running in Clare. “Stand up to Britain -Vote T. McAllister -Vote the prisoners No. 1”
McAllister (an INLA prisoner) polled 2,120 votes.
Many thanks to the sender
From 1981, during the Hunger Strike ,a leaflet from the Manhattan Unit Publicity Committee of Northern Aid calling for Irish Americans to Boycott British goods until “Britain restores full independence to the whole of Ireland”.
The Leaflet also mentions the visit of Prince Charles and The Royal Ballet to New York .
Many thanks to the sender.
From the 1981 General Election an Ad for H-Block candidate Joe McDonnell who was running in Sligo-Leitrim. McDonnell narrowly missed out on a seat winning 5,639 votes.
He died on the 8th of July 1981 after 61 days on Hunger Strike. More details on McDonnell here.
The Ad has a profile of McDonnell, a message to voters from him and the Manifesto of the H-Block candidates.
From 2000 a leaflet outlining events to commemorate the “1981 Hunger Strike -19th Anniversary May 2000”.
A leaflet from the National H-Block Committee advertising a “Mass National Lobby and March” in Dublin on the 22nd November 1980.
The Hunger strike of 1980 was the precursor to the 1981 Hunger Strike where ten men died. It began in Long Kesh in October 1980 with Brendan Hughes, Tom McFeeley, Sean McKenna, Leo Green, Tommy McKearney , Raymond McCartney and John Nixon all going on hunger strike for the 5 demands listed below.
Having received assurances that the five demands would be met on a phased basis the hunger strike was stopped on the 18th of December 1980. The assurances were not followed up upon and on the first of March 1981 the ‘second’ Hunger Strike began.
A card and Leaflet produced by the Bobby Sands Trust. One giving details of the 30th Anniversary Hunger Strike exhibition that is available for tour.
From the 1981 General Election an ad for H-Block candidate Hunger Striker Kieran Doherty who was running in Cavan Monaghan. Doherty polled 9,121 votes and was elected. Another H-Block candidate Paddy Agnew was elected in Louth.
After 73 days on Hunger Strike, Doherty died on the 2nd of August 1981.
First off many thanks to the sender. I’m afraid, despite my best efforts, that its quite difficult to read in parts.
Its issue 2 of the IRSPs Hunger Strike Bulletin produced during the ‘First Hunger strike’ in 1980. The Hunger Strike began on October 27th 1980. Among the Seven initial Hunger Strikers was INLA member John Nixon.
This issue contains a letter from John Nixon and a diary of events for the period between the 26th of October and the 4th of November.
Issue one is posted HERE
A Bobby Sands and Francis Hughes Badge issued I presume around the time of the Hunger Strike in 1981.
There was much paraphernalia like this available at the time.
Also an Anti Nazi Badge.
Many thanks to the sender (who is also doing a sponsored cycle for Temple Street and sponsorship details are on his Blog).
Poster and Leaflet for Hunger Striker, Bobby Sands who stood in the Fermanagh South Tyrone by-election held on the 9 April 1981. He won by 30,493 votes to 29,046 for the Unionist candidate Harry West.
The Hunger Strike centred around the “Five Demands”:
1. the right not to wear a prison uniform;
2. the right not to do prison work;
3. the right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;
4. the right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;
5. full restoration of remission lost through the protest
Bobby Sands died on the 5th of May 1981.
many thanks to the donor.
Irish Election Literature 
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