I remember doing a comprehension in English class about Aberfan. I took one look at the headline and instantly knew what it was about. Most of my classmates did not. I had never known them to be so quiet and also so full of tears. Looking back, I am somewhat amazed at that given that we were living in mid-Troubles Northern Ireland, but hey ho, that is how it was.

Even now, it is hard for me to even say the words, “it is the anniversary of Aberfan” without my eyes starting to water. I was not even born when it happened but it is really planted in the collective memory of many in the UK and Ireland.