IRELAND , JANUARY 15th , 1920 : ELECTIONS .......
....... the 16th April 1918 'Conscription Act' in Ireland (the 'Military Services Bill') was opposed by the majority in Ireland - even a previous 'recruitment officer' for the British , a Cardinal Logue , objected to it .......
This member of the Catholic Hierarchy , Cardinal Logue , had allowed his name to be added to the list of those which were published on British Army recruiting posters which urged Irishmen to join the British Army but , following the passing in Westminster of the British 'Military Services Bill' , the Catholic Church Hierarchy announced at each Sunday Mass that anti-conscription pledges were available to be signed outside the Church Gates following the Mass !
But , as usual , the Brits did'nt learn from the experience in 1918 - in 1941 , conscription was again being discussed in Westminster ; this time for the partitioned Six North-Eastern Counties of Ireland . It is recorded that , at a meeting between the then ' American Ambassador to Ireland' (sic- the Free State) , a Mr. David Gray , who was said to be friendly with the British Ambassador to America , 'Lord' Halifax , and Eamonn de Valera , which took place in January 1941 , Gray rounded on de Valera " ...for capitalising on hatred of Great Britain ..." .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
AISLINGI .......
" ....... Tara and Clonmacnois are known the world over as being associated with Irish Kings and as places of learning . There are other places , perhaps less well known but just as important ......."
" Rath Cruachan of Daihi , Maebh , the Kings of Connaught , and the Tuatha de Danaan Queens who gave their names to Ireland - Eire , Fodhla and Banba - are all buried there , not forgetting Conn of the Hundred Battles . Sheep and bullocks graze on this once mighty and populous plain . Cnoc Almhain , hosting-place of the Fianna , and Eamhain Macha , headquarters of the Red Branch Knights , recall Fionn and Oisin and Oscar and Cuchulainn , Ireland's greatest warriors of the past .
Uisneach , one of our most storied hills , where the ancient divisions of Ireland met ; once a great city crowned it . Here was lighted the first fire to the pagan gods in Ireland . Here fell Lugaidh Lamhfada , one of Ireland's greatest Kings and here , Saint Brigid founded a convent . Tleachta and Tailteann , old pagan meeting-places famous for druidical sacrifices and the great fair .
Nearby Slaine where Saint Patrick lighted the fire that quenched the fire of Tleachta and all other pagan fires . From Slaine our thoughts fly to Sliabh Mis where a youth tended his earthly master's herds ....... "
(MORE LATER).
Communication from BOBBY SANDS , Long Kesh H-Blocks , early December 1978 .......
As published in 'IRIS' magazine , November 1981 .
Re-published here in 6 parts .
(4 of 6).
" The media has reported the barbarities taking place in these hell blocks ; for anyone to say they don't know what is taking place here is an untruth . Many people have sought , to their everlasting shame , to remain silent . We have also listened to many people speak of the atrocious conditions and torture here and we have heard of many seeking solutions , making proposals and investigations .
There has been too much talk and too much talk of talk but no ease in the torture of 345 naked men in these H-Blocks . The torture has multiplied while we have suffered and bled .
While people have remained silent or talked in circles , we have now reached a stage ......."
(MORE LATER).
