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Laurence McKeown in Conversation with Phil Scraton at Roe River Books
An Evening of History, Justice and Memory | Dundalk | April 2026
On a wet April evening in Dundalk, Roe River Books filled with people who came to listen, remember, and reflect. The conversation brought together Laurence McKeown and Professor Phil Scraton, two voices shaped by decades of work around justice and political history.
About the Speakers
Phil Scraton is widely known for his work with the Hillsborough families and his involvement in the Stardust campaign. Laurence McKeown spent 11 years in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and later became a writer and community advocate.
“People throughout Europe and England had not understood the full extent of what was happening.”
Phil Scraton
Phil Scraton
The Conversation
The discussion moved through the criminalisation policy of 1976, the blanket protest, and the hunger strikes. Laurence shared firsthand experiences that brought clarity and weight to the historical timeline.
“I realised I was alive. It was just very surreal.”
Laurence McKeown
Laurence McKeown
Watch the Full Conversation
Photos from the Evening
About Our Digital Partner
Behind every image in this post, every video on our channel, and much of what you see on the Roe River Books website, there is one team making it happen. Astory Media has worked with us since 2025, documenting our events, managing our digital presence, and helping us present our work clearly and consistently.
Astory Media is a digital and creative agency based in Dundalk, Ireland. They specialise in website design and development, ecommerce, SEO, hosting, social media management, graphic design, and event content production. Their work focuses on helping businesses get found online and turn attention into enquiries.
They work closely with independent businesses, artists, and organisations that need a reliable and professional online presence without unnecessary complexity.
If you are looking for support with your website, visibility, or content, they are well worth speaking to.
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