1981

January 21, 1981

Bernadette Devlin's Maiden Speech

On January 21, 1981, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey delivered her maiden speech in the British House of Commons, having been elected as an independent Unity candidate for Mid Ulster. At 21 years old, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Commons. Her powerful and passionate address primarily focused on the pressing issues of civil rights and political unrest in Northern Ireland, bringing a new and assertive voice to the parliamentary debate on Irish affairs.

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1981

Politics

February 14, 1981

Republican Hunger Strike Plans

On February 14, 1981, Republican prisoners held in Long Kesh (Maze) Prison in Northern Ireland began making plans for a new hunger strike. These preparations were a precursor to the highly publicized 1981 Irish hunger strike, which sought to regain political prisoner status for paramilitary inmates. The decision to embark on this extreme form of protest had profound and lasting implications for the Republican movement, Northern Irish politics, and Anglo-Irish relations, drawing international attention to the conflict.

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1981

Politics

March 1, 1981

Bobby Sands Begins Hunger Strike

Bobby Sands began his hunger strike in the H-Block of Long Kesh Prison, initiating one of the most significant protests of the Troubles. His decision to refuse food came after years of protest over the British government's withdrawal of Special Category Status for republican prisoners. The hunger strike captured international attention and transformed the republican movement. Sands's protest, which eventually led to his election as an MP and subsequent death, marked a crucial turning point in republican strategy, shifting emphasis toward political action while maintaining armed struggle.

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1981

Politics

March 17, 1981

Founding of the Congressional Friends of Ireland

The Congressional Friends of Ireland, a bipartisan organization within the United States Congress, was founded on March 17, 1981. Key figures in its establishment included Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Daniel Moynihan, and House Speaker Tip O'Neill. The organization's primary objective was to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland during a period of significant political unrest and violence.

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1981

Politics

March 25, 1981

Irish Government Condemns IRFU South Africa Tour

On March 25, 1981, the Irish government and Dáil Éireann issued a strong condemnation of the Irish Rugby Football Union's (IRFU) decision to proceed with a national rugby team tour of apartheid South Africa. This political stance reflected widespread international opposition to South Africa's discriminatory racial policies. The condemnation highlighted Ireland's commitment to the global anti-apartheid movement and underscored the ethical implications of sporting ties with the regime, leading to significant public debate and pressure on the IRFU.

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1981

Deaths

May 5, 1981

Death of Bobby Sands

Bobby Sands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and a Member of Parliament, died on May 5, 1981, in HM Prison Maze, Northern Ireland, after 66 days on hunger strike. Sands was protesting the British government's withdrawal of Special Category Status for republican prisoners, which he and others viewed as political status. His death, and those of nine other hunger strikers, garnered international attention and intensified the conflict during The Troubles, leading to a surge in IRA recruitment and activity.

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1981

Battles

June 13, 1981

Martin Hurson Dies on Hunger Strike

On June 13, 1981, Martin Hurson, a volunteer with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), died on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh prison. He was the sixth of ten republican prisoners to die during the 1981 Irish hunger strike, which sought to regain political prisoner status. Hurson's death, after 46 days without food, intensified the widespread protests and drew significant international attention to the conflict in Northern Ireland. His funeral, attended by thousands, underscored the deep divisions and emotional impact of the hunger strikes on Irish society.

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1981

Battles

June 30, 1981

Hunger Striker Joe McDonnell Nears Death

Republican prisoner Joe McDonnell entered his final days on hunger strike in the Maze Prison on June 30, 1981. His deteriorating condition drew international attention to the ongoing prison protests. McDonnell's struggle became a powerful symbol of the determination of republican prisoners during the H-Block protests, highlighting the severe political tensions of the era. His death, which occurred just days later, further intensified the hunger strike crisis and its impact on Northern Irish politics.

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1981

Deaths

July 8, 1981

Death of Hunger Striker Joe McDonnell

Joe McDonnell, an Irish republican paramilitary and hunger striker, died on July 8, 1981, in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. He was the fifth of ten republican prisoners to die during the 1981 Irish hunger strike, protesting the British government's withdrawal of Special Category Status for paramilitary prisoners. McDonnell, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), had been imprisoned for firearms offenses. His death, like those of the other hunger strikers, intensified political tensions and garnered significant international attention to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

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1981

Politics

July 28, 1981

Kevin Lynch Dies on Hunger Strike

IRA member Kevin Lynch died after 71 days on hunger strike in the Maze Prison. His death marked the seventh fatality in the 1981 hunger strikes, which brought international attention to the conflict in Northern Ireland. The strikes became a pivotal moment in the Troubles, dramatically increasing support for republican politics and highlighting the deep divisions and political struggles within Northern Ireland. His sacrifice became a symbol for many within the republican movement.

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1981

Politics

October 3, 1981

Maze Prison Hunger Strike Ends

On October 3, 1981, the second Maze Prison hunger strike in Northern Ireland was called off after seven months. The strike, initiated by Irish republican prisoners demanding political prisoner status, led to the deaths of ten inmates, including Bobby Sands. The decision to end the strike came after intervention from families and a realization that further deaths would not achieve their objectives. While immediate demands were not met, the hunger strike garnered significant international attention and profoundly impacted the course of the Troubles and republican politics.

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1981

Politics

October 27, 1981

Garret Fitzgerald's Constitutional Crusade

Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald announced a "constitutional crusade" on October 27, 1981, aiming to remove what he termed "sectarian elements" from the Republic of Ireland's constitution and laws. This initiative sought to create a more inclusive and pluralist society, particularly to make the idea of a united Ireland more appealing to Northern Irish Protestants. Fitzgerald believed that certain constitutional articles reflected a narrow, Catholic-centric state, hindering reconciliation and national unity. His efforts sparked significant debate and were a key part of his vision for a modern, liberal Ireland, though many of his proposed changes faced considerable opposition.

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1981

Battles

November 14, 1981

Assassination of Revd Robert Bradford

On November 14, 1981, Revd Robert Bradford, a 40-year-old Ulster Unionist Party Member of Parliament for South Belfast, was tragically shot dead by Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) gunmen. The assassination occurred during a constituency clinic held at a community centre in Finaghy, Belfast. An attendant at the centre was also killed during the attack. This event was a significant incident during The Troubles, highlighting the ongoing political violence and sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland during that period.

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