Tag: Bobby Sands
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BBC Radio 4 – Drama, The Ballad of Bobby Sands
Follow this link to find out more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000lmsy
Photos of Bobby Sands Discovered! | Bobby Sands Trust
https://www.bobbysandstrust.com/photos-of-bobby-sands-discovered/
With many thanks to the: Bobby Sands Trust and Gérard Harley ref: Photographs for the original story
Rare Bobby Sands picture found
A NEVER before seen picture of hunger striker Bobby Sands at a rally along with republican Máire Drumm is to be included in a new book about the Sinn Féin vice-president.
Born in the village of Killeen, Co Armagh, the mother of five was gunned down in cold blood on October 1976 by cowardly gunmen dressed as doctors as she lay in her hospital bed in the Mater Hospital in North Belfast where she was recovering from a major operation. The attack was claimed by the Red Hand Commando, a cover name that was used by the UDA. An commemorative event took please in South Armagh, on what would have been her 100th birthday. A book about her life by former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams will also be launched.
It contains a previously unseen photograph taken at a Sinn Féin rally on August 8th 1976, two months before she was murdered at the age of 57. Well-known for her defiant speeches at rallies and in courtrooms, she was jailed twice and spent time in Armagh Prison.
Gerry Adams said in the years since her death Máire Drumm “has become an iconic figure in Irish Republicanism”. “Her leadership qualities and her enormous courage led to her being elected as vice-president.” The commemoration started at McKevitt’s petrol station at 7.3opm and was followed by a wreath laying ceremony.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Allison Morris for the original story
Follow this link to find out more: https://stairnaheireann.net/2015/10/28/1976-maire-drumm-was-the-vice-president-of-sinn-fein-and-a-commander-in-cumann-na-mban-she-was-assassinated-by-loyalists-while-recovering-in-belfasts-mater-hospital/amp/
Watch “Old Scores – Bobby Sands Documentary 1983” on YouTube
On March 1st, Bobby Sands, OC, MP, and one of the leaders of IRA prisoners in Long Kesh (H-Blocks) prison near Belfast, refused to eat.
He was a week short of his 27th birthday and virtually unknown outside of Ireland and Great Britain, but he was about to become one of the most famous men on the planet for refusing to do what most of us look forward to doing three or more times a day. Nine more hunger strikers would die after Sands death on May 5th. In order of their deaths, they are: Francis Hughes, Patsy O’Hara, Raymond McCreesh, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee, Michael Devine.
With many thanks to: TheWildGeese.irish
Today we remember and honour Robert Sands who died on this day May 5th 1981
An Inspiration and a Higher Power to me
No words can Describe soldiers such as Bobby
and his 9 comrades…. A hero he lived a hero he died. Gael Fíor hÉireann
Dear Mum,
I know you’re always there
To help and guide me with all your care,
You nursed and fed me and made me strong
To face the world and all its wrong.
What can I write to you this day
For a line or two would never pay
For care and time you gave to me
Through long hard years unceasingly.
How you found strength I do not know
How you managed I’ll never know,
Struggling and striving without a break
Always there and never late.
You prayed for me and loved me more
How could I ask for anymore
And reared me up to be like you
But I haven’t a heart as kind as you.
A guide to me in times of plight
A princess like a star so bright
For life would never have been the same
If I hadn’t of learned what small things came.
So forgive me Mum just a little more
For not loving you so much before,
For life and love you gave to me
I give my thanks for eternity.
With many thanks to: Dermot Ryan.
On this day 17th March 1981, PIRA OC Bobby Sands made his last entry to his diary.
I am quoting what would be his official last words on earth. In Nomine Patris, et Filli, et Spiritu Sancti.
“If they aren’t able to destroy the desire for freedom, they won’t break you. They won’t break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show.
It is then we’ll see the rising of the moon.”
PIRA OC MP Bobby Sands
March 17, 1981
Bobby Sands’ last entry into his diary this day in 1981.
“St Patrick’s Day today and, as usual, nothing noticeable. I was at Mass, my hair cut shorter and much better also. I didn’t know the priest who said Mass.
The orderlies were giving out food to all who were returning from Mass. They tried to give me a plate of food. It was put in front of my face but I continued on my way as though nobody was there.
I got a couple of papers today, and as a kind of change the Irish News was there. I’m getting any news from the boys anyway.
I saw one of the doctors this morning, an ill-mannered sort. It tries me. My weight was 57.70 kgs. I had no complaints.
An official was in with me and gave me some lip. He said, ‘I see you’re reading a short book. It’s a good thing it isn’t a long one for you won’t finish it.’
That’s the sort of people they are. Curse them! I don’t care. It’s been a long day.
I was thinking today about the hunger-strike. People say a lot about the body, but don’t trust it. I consider that there is a kind of fight indeed. Firstly the body doesn’t accept the lack of food, and it suffers from the temptation of food, and from other aspects which gnaw at it perpetually.
The body fights back sure enough, but at the end of the day everything returns to the primary consideration, that is, the mind. The mind is the most important.
But then where does this proper mentality stem from? Perhaps from one’s desire for freedom. It isn’t certain that that’s where it comes from.
If they aren’t able to destroy the desire for freedom, they won’t break you. They won’t break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show.
It is then we’ll see the rising of the moon…”
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