Video coverage of last week’s ‘Hunger strikers’ Graves Cycle’ has just been released. The recently established Kieran Doherty Cycling Club visited all the 1981 hunger strikers’ graves on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May (the anniversary of Bobby Sands’ death).
They cycled 120 miles on Saturday morning and 60 miles on Sunday morning. Among the cyclists were: Kieran Doherty’s brother, Terry, and niece Bronagh Doherty; former blanket men Seamie Kelly, Jas McCann and Joe Gibson.
In Bellaghy the team were met by Colm Scullion who spoke at the graves of Francis Hughes and Tom McElwee. In Dungiven Bridie Lynch, brother of Kevin Lynch, and former POW Sean McGlinchey met them at the Church of St Patrick cemetery.
In Derry they were met in the City Cemetery by Raymond McCartney (who had been on the first hunger strike in 1980) and laid wreaths at the graves of Patsy O’Hara and Micky Devine.
From Derry they cycled through Tyrone to Galbally where they were met by Martin Hurson’s brother, Brendan, and local Sinn Féin elected representatives.
The team continued to Camlough in South Armagh where they were met by Raymond McCreesh’s brother, Michael, and Conor Murphy MLA.
Later in the year, the club will cycle to Ballyconnell, on their usual pilgrimage, and on the second day will cycle from Ballyconnell to Ballina to the graves of Michael Gaughan, who died in 1974, and Frank Stagg, who died in 1976.
Some of those who participated in the Bobby Sands’ Walk across Black Mountain, on Sunday, May 5th
