The Republican Sinn Féin-organised 'Eve of All-Ireland Rally' was held , as advertised, on Saturday 22nd September 2012 , in O'Connell Street , Dublin , and was observed by approximately 200 people. The event began at 2pm outside the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square when those present assembled behind an RSF Colour Party , uniformed representatives from Na Fianna Éireann and Cumann na mBan : and the 'Pride of Erin' Republican Flute Band from Portadown in County Armagh. The parade marched from there and arrived on the isle facing the GPO at 2.15pm and the Chairperson , Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais , RSF Ard Chomhairle, introduced himself to the crowd and began proceedings. The speeches delivered by the three Republican speakers - Des Dalton , Róisín Hayden and Fergal Moore - all highlighted the prisoner issue , mentioning in particular Martin Corey and Marian Price. The full text of each speech will be published in the October 2012 issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday 3rd of that month. We publish with this short report a few pics from the event and , if you have a 'Facebook' account , more pics and videos can be seen here.
The whole event went like clockwork , and even the weather was on our side ! All involved are to be congratulated for their contribution - RSF and the Colour Party , the Pride of Erin Flute Band , NFÉ , Cumann na mBan and the crowd that stood with us in O'Connell Street. The only 'downer' was in regards to the leaflet 'packs' , 300 of which were distributed at the Rally (these 'packs' had five items per pack , meaning that a total of 1,500 leaflets were distributed) : the problem here was that we hadn't enough of them. Myself and the rest of the 'leaflet team' could easily have distributed another 150 'packs' between us , had we had them, but I suppose that's more of a good thing rather than a 'problem', as it shows that there is , thankfully, a healthy interest in the Movement and in Irish republicanism, in general. And events like this Rally help to promote and encourage that interest!
Thanks for reading, Sharon.
