Who We Are

Stailc 81 is a committee of Irish socialist republicans. The name Stailc is the Irish word for “Strike,” chosen to honour the 1981 H-Block Hunger Strike and the ten men who gave their lives in pursuit of political status.

The committee was established as the 40th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike approached. The year 2021 marked four decades since Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Tom McElwee, and Mickey Devine died on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh.

Our Purpose

Stailc 81 was formed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of those historic events — to honour the hunger strikers, share their writings and statements, and organise commemorative gatherings that keep their memory and sacrifice alive for a new generation.

Through our Anthology, we preserve poems, songs, and prisoners’ statements from the period. Our Gallery and Events pages document the commemorative activities undertaken during the anniversary year.

Get in Touch

You can reach the committee through our contact form, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.