The idea behind the RoH was wanting to have a new resource for inspiration and to learn about struggles around the world. The database is open and accessible for anyone online to add someone new or to edit one of the entries that?s already there. To add someone new, click the “Display them all” button and scroll down to the bottom of that page.

The name “Roll of Honor” is taken from an Irish rebel song about the H-Block martyrs who starved to death during a hunger strike in the 1980s, for the right to be treated as prisoners of war by their English captors. The lyrics of the song are given below (taken from the Bobby Sands trust); you can see the song with some related video here.

The Roll of Honour

Read the roll of honour for Ireland’s bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you’re a monster, don’t think that you have won
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons.

In those dreary H-Block cages ten brave young Irishmen lay
Hungering for justice as their young lives ebbed away,
For their rights as Irish soldiers and to free their native land
They stood beside their leader - the gallant Bobby Sands.
Now they mourn Hughes in Bellaghy,
Ray McCreesh in Armagh’s hills
In those narrow streets of Derry they miss O’Hara still,
They so proudly gave their young lives to break Britannia’s hold
Their names will be remembered as history unfolds.

Through the war torn streets of Ulster the black flags did sadly sway
To salute ten Irish martyrs the bravest of the brave,
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty
They gave their lives for freedom with Thomas McElwee.
Michael Devine from Derry you were the last to die
With your nine brave companions with the martyred dead you lie
Your souls cry out “Remember, our deaths were not in vain.
Fight on and make our homeland a nation once again!”

Written by Gerry O’Glacain