Hunger Strike function well supported in Westport
Hundreds of supporters attended a 20th anniversary function
organised by the Westport 1981 Hunger Strike Committee on Friday
night, 20 July, in the Atlantic Coast Hotel.
The function, which proved to be an overwhelming success, is part
of a series of events planned and organised by the committee to
mark the 20th anniversary of the ten young republicans who died
on hunger strike in 1981. Those who attended were treated to
electrifying renditions of all the old favourite republican and
freedom songs, performed by experienced Louth-based band `Shan
Nós'.
Westport 81 Committee member, Seoseamh Ó Maolchroin addressed the
crowd and briefly outlined the legacy of the hunger strikes:
``It's important today, 20 years on, that we never forget the
selfless sacrifice of the ten hunger strikers and their basic
demands of political status and human rights. It's also important
that we acknowledge and express our gratitude to all those people
from in and around Westport and across the entire political
spectrum who supported the hunger strikers back in 1981.''
As a special treat, local poet Paddy Guthrie gave a `debut'
reading of his recently commissioned poem `Ten' in honour of the
ten dead hunger strikers.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)