“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
“Don’t Let More Prisoners Die In The Blocks” -June 1981 Leaflet from Cabra H-Block Group October 8, 2013
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.
1981 H Block/ Armagh Committee leaflet looking to build support among the Trade Union movement for the Hunger Strike. May 2, 2013
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.
“To All GAA Fans… Support The Hunger Strikers” leaflet April 24, 2013
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.
Joe McDonnell – H-Block -1981 General Election Sligo Leitrim. April 25, 2012
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.
“1981 Hunger Strike -19th Anniversary May 2000” -Leaflet with programme of events. November 20, 2011
From 2000 a leaflet outlining events to commemorate the “1981 Hunger Strike -19th Anniversary May 2000”.
Flyer for H-Block “Mass National Lobby and March” 22nd November 1980 September 28, 2011
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.
Card and leaflet from the Bobby Sands Trust September 23, 2011
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.
Ad for Kieran Doherty -H-Block -Cavan Monaghan 1981 General Election August 2, 2011
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.
From 1980 -Hunger Strike Bulletin -Issue 2 -IRSP November 2, 2010
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
’10 Reasons why YOU should join Ógra Shinn Féin’ August 21, 2010
A simple enough flyer from Ógra Shinn Féin with the line,
‘10 Reasons why YOU should join Ógra Shinn Féin‘ and pictures of the ten dead Hunger Strikers. They were Bobby Sands MP, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Tom McElwee, Kieran Doherty TD and Mickey Devine.
Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes Badges August 2, 2010
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).
‘Support the Hunger Strike Demands’ Sticker – National H-Block Armagh Committee 1981 April 22, 2010
A sticker issued by The National H-Block Armagh Committee during the 1981 Hunger Strike urging people to ‘Support The Hunger Strike Demands’. These stickers, black flags, posters of the Hunger Strikers and black armbands were commonplace at the time.
These demands were
1. The right to wear their own clothes.
2. The right to refrain from compulsory do prison work, use the time for education in vocational, craft or culture fields.
3. Free association with other political prisoners
4. One letter, one parcel and one visit per week.
5. Restoration of remission of sentence lost through the protest.
Many thanks to the donor
Election Leaflet for Tony O’Hara -H-Block -1981 Dublin West March 30, 2010
Firstly many thanks to the donor.
From the 1981 General Election Tony O’Hara (also refered to as Anthony),running on a H Block ticket in Dublin West.
Tony O’Hara was the brother of deceased hunger striker Patsy O’Hara. He recieved 3,034 votes.
For those like myself who lived through the time of the Hunger Strike this leaflet brings back memories. Memories of the posters of the Hunger Strikers,the posters of Maggie Thatcher Wanted for murder, people wearing Black armbands, black flags on lampposts and the other protest marches in Dublin at the time.
In the leaflet, amongst others things are a biography of Tony O’Hara and The Hunger Strikers Five Demands
1. The right to wear their own clothes.
2. The right to refrain from compulsory do prison work, use the time for education in vocational, craft or culture fields.
3. Free association with other political prisoners
4. One letter, one parcel and one visit per week.
5. Restoration of remission of sentence lost through the protest.
Kieran Doherty -H-Block Candidate -1981 GE Cavan-Monaghan February 22, 2010
Many thanks to the donor.
The H-Block campiagn fielded 9 candidates in the 1981 General Election. Two were elected. Kieran Doherty was Elected in Cavan-Monaghan and Paddy Agnew was elected in Louth.
The other candidates were Joe McDonnell in Sligo/Leitrim, Martin Hurson in Longford-Westmeath, Kevin Lynch in Waterford, Tony O’Hara (Brother of Patsy O’Hara) in Dublin West, Joe McDonnell in Sligo/Leitrim , Mairéad Farrell (one of the Gibraltar 3) in Cork North Central, Sean McKenna in Kerry North and Tom McAllister in Clare.
Between them they got over 3% of the national vote.
Three other candidates stood on an Anti H-Block ticket. These were Sean Kelleher in Cork South West, Vincent Doherty (of Peoples Democracy) in Dublin North Central
and Paddy Healy in Dublin North-East.
On the second of August 1981 ,Hunger striker Kieran Doherty TD died.
Irish Election Literature 
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