Mass for Irish Hunger Strikers of 1981

On Sunday, August 13, 2006, the Pittsburgh Irish "Year of Remembrance Committee," comprised of members from several Irish-American organizations in the Greater Pittsburgh Irish Community, will be presenting a program named "The 25th Anniversary of the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike Commemoration."

The event will consist of a Mass at 3:00 p.m. at Old St. Patrick’s Church (corner of 17th Street and Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh's Strip District) followed by a procession up Spring Way led by our very own John Walsh of AOH Division 32, who will pipe us while marchers carry a tricolor flag-draped coffin and photos of the men we are remembering.

The procession will take us to the Fire House Lounge on Penn Avenue, where there will be a program with readers who will introduce background information on the ten men who died on 1981 Irish Hunger Strike, and the circumstances that led to this ultimate protest. Sean McClorey will provide accompanying music and poetry.

We expect to draw an audience from all segments of the Pittsburgh Irish Community plus others who are interested in Irish history. Much like the commemoration event that the committee hosted for the Easter Rising commemoration, we hope this event has a lasting impact on you as well as provide for an educational experience on our Irish history.

Due to the generosity of many AOH Divisions and Boards, the Irish American Unity Conference, the Knights of Equity, and the Daughters of Erin, Admission is FREE. Also, food and drink will be available for purchase from
the Fire House Lounge.

Please come and join us in this historic commemoration.