‘1981’ Play marks Raymond McCreesh anniversary in Camlough

A stage play recounting the 1981 blanket protest and hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh has been secured for Camlough on Friday 18th May at 8.00pm for its debut south Armagh performance.

The play, which was written, performed and produced by well-known Belfast actor Tony Devlin, completed its first successful sell out tour across Ireland during 2010 and a full house is anticipated for the performance in Carrickcruppen Social Club. The play charts the individual stories of each of the ten Republican prisoners, their capture, prison experience and ultimate deaths on hunger strike, combining the drama with music and song in a dignified and fitting tribute to the H-Block blanket men.

This event is being organised by the Fegan Quinn Sinn Féin Cumann Derramore and member Councillor Pat McGinn spoke to Newry Times and said, “We are delighted that ‘1981’ is coming to Camlough this week. I watched the play during its previous tour and was extremely keen to bring the performance to a south Armagh audience. The play in my opinion is a most powerful, emotional and telling account of the hunger strike period, told in a way which brings to life the struggle of the H-Blocks. I would particularly encourage our young people, and those keen on learning more about that period of Irish history to attend the event.”

Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy added, “The people of south Armagh played a vital role during the H-Block protest period and I am delighted that this play is coming to Camlough just a few days before the anniversary of the death of our local Hunger Striker Raymond McCreesh on 21st May. I would also encourage particularly young people from the area to attend and gain a fascinating insight into this period of the conflict in the north.”

‘1981’ will be performed in Carrickcruppen Social Club, Camlough on Friday 18th May at 8.00pm sharp. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased on arrival.

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Posted by Newry Times News on May 16 2012. Filed under Community, What's On. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry