1169 And Counting.....

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" Sinn Féin Poblachtach must also contest in new areas , preaching the old doctrine, the policy of the straight and narrow, where basic national issues are concerned, but always alert and responsive to the various needs of a troubled people in a troubled and confused land.

Many of our policies on planning, environment, local government reform, decentralisation, citizens' rights, freedom and equality for all, regardless of income or material status, have been partially taken on board by other groups and individuals since they were first published in the 1970's.

Even if we resent this we must push on to promote these just, fair and democratic doctrines and ensure that where others say they are now converted to the nuts and bolts of Republican policies, they will genuinely have to pursue these progressive policies, or shut up about them . We welcome in particular the emergence of a more conscious 'Green' concern among the electorate, 16 years after we outlined (in 1973)our 'Quality of Life' approach for a new Ireland. We welcome also the increasing talk about decentralisation in Ireland - provided it is real decentralisation, not just moving offices and civil servants from town to town......."
(MORE LATER).

'IRISH REPUBLICANS' CAMPAIGN TO HAVE DERRY LISTED AS THE 'UK CITY OF CULTURE'.

What do the cities of Norwich, Birmingham , Sheffield and Derry have in common ? Well , according to some, they are all cities in "the UK" !

A Provisional Sinn Féin councillor and 'tourism spokesperson' , Maeve McLaughlin , has voiced her support , and that of her party, to have Derry listed as the 'UK CITY OF CULTURE' : " Sinn Fein has contributed positively to progressing and supporting the bid....."
Martin McGuinness has openly voiced support to have Derry recognised as 'a UK city' and has declared himself "rock solid" behind the nomination !

Irish Republicans have long warned that those that leave the Republican Movement to ' pursue the same objectives by constitutional methods' , as those that leave would claim, eventually become part of the system they once fought against. Not only do the Provisionals administer Westminster's writ in six Irish counties - in return for 'respectability' , a political career , a salary , expenses and a Sterling pension - but they now see no shame in promoting an Irish city as a 'UK City' . And, really , when you look at it from their point of view , they have no reason not to do so : their political futures are linked to Westminster , which pays their mortgages , their holiday homes and their succulent lifestyles - so if they can repay the 'favour' and , at the same time, show what a 'safe pair of hands' they are regarding the jursidictional 'question' - then then have nothing to lose. Certainly not in the 'credibility' stakes anyway, as far as Irish Republicans are concerned.
Shame on them.
Sharon.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

(UPDATE : more pics from the Cumann na mBan fundraiser in Ballyfermot can be viewed here. Thanks, lads !)

CUMANN na mBAN FUND RAISER , FRIDAY 18th JUNE 2010, DUBLIN : report and pics.

A very successful fund-raising function for Cumann na mBan was held last night (Friday 18th June 2010) in the 79'r Pub in Ballyfermot , Dublin : the function room was almost full to capacity (over 250 tickets had been sold in advance) and the group , 'The Druids' , didn't disappoint : within an hour of going on stage, people (still sober!) were up dancing !
The fact that the Cumann na mBan organisation never once deviated from its Republican principles was mentioned from the stage , to sustained applause : that it played a full part in the 1916 Rising , rejected the Treaty of Surrender in 1921 ,and rejected further so-called 'compromises' and 'half-way houses' in the 1940's and 1950's , in the late 1960's , early 70's and in the mid 1980's , and that it remains to this day an uncompromising revolutionary Irish Republican organisation.

There were nine prizes up for grabs in the raffle , on a 'first up best dressed' basis (ie first winner picks his/her own prize from the prizes on offer!) : a beautiful 'one-off-job' presentation 'Padraig Pearse' candle (donated on the night by Cathy) , a 'Leaders Of 1916' bodhron , a framed 'Too Long A Sacrifice' Hunger-Striker plaque, a framed 'Inside The GPO' print , a book on Cumann na mBan, authored by Cal McCarthy, a book by Donal Nevin on James Connolly entitled 'Between Comrades' , two Irish Republican CD's by , and from , 'The Druids' and a presentation box containing a bottle of Hennessy Cognac. As usual, I stumbled away empty-handed.....!

We publish a few photographs from the event here, with a proper report and more pics to be published in the July issue of 'Saoirse' , which goes to print on Wednesday the 7th of that month -

'The Druids' on stage.

A section of the crowd.

Cumann na mBan 'shop' at the gig.

Raffle prizes....

...and a very special raffle prize (thanks again, Cathy!).

Some of those in attendance.

'The Druids' in action....

...after the stage was set!

Cumann na mBan - 'Women In Struggle'.

Finally : thanks to Cumann na mBan for organising this function, to the management and staff of the 79'r pub for looking after us so well, to Cathy and everyone else that helped with raffle prizes, to Mags , Josephine , Róisin, Frank , Robbie, Pat and his crew of 'bouncers'and to the people that made it their business to get there and , of course , to 'The Druids'. A good night (and early morning!) was had by all , with plans already in motion for another gig , in the 79'r , for late July 2010. Watch this space.....
Thanks!
Sharon.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" The way forward is not to be found by entering the Leinster House club which, though open only to 26-County representatives, has the cheek to call itself 'Dáil Éireann'. As Comdt.-General Thomáis Mhic Uidhir, now aged 97, and the sole surviving and faithful member of the last All-Ireland Dáil said, at the time he consented to become Honorary Patron of Sinn Féin Poblachtach in 1986 : " There is no difference between entering the partition parliament of Leinster House and entering a partition parliament of Stormont."

That does not mean that this organisation, which was contesting elections for a decade before 1916, must not continue to be involved in political action wherever this can be done without subscribing to so-called 'Oaths of Allegiance' or orther political tests - like the latest one introduced in the Six Counties after the 1985 local elections clearly indicated the strength of anti-Unionism in the occupied part of our country.

Our next immediate task is the 1990 local elections in the 26 Counties . We must ensure the re-election of all those faithful sitting public representatives who have stood by their principles during all the turmoil and confusion and in spite of all the censorship and mis-representation......"
(MORE LATER).

BETRAYAL.......
The (State) Gardaí used John Corcoran (pictured) as a (P)IRA informer. They allowed him to be killed by another (P)IRA informer, and have since refused to investigate his murder*.
From 'MAGILL' magazine, Christmas Annual 1997.
By Ursula Halligan and Vincent Browne.
(* '1169...' Comment - their word, not ours.)

Catherine Corcoran said to the detectives involved in the case - " Look, has Seán O Callaghan ever been brought in for questioning , and the detective said 'No' . I asked why and said that O Callaghan had confessed , but the detective just said ' I'm sorry , I'm new on the job , I'm only gathering all this information myself, I don't know...' . "

As they were leaving , the garda superintendent advised the Corcoran family not to talk to reporters : "We were asked specifically not to speak to reporters. They felt it could upset the case, " Catherine said. Her mother , Eileen , said - " I didn't want to speak to reporters anyway . We're very private people , we're a family. We wanted to get on with our lives."

Eileen says that a report in 'The Sunday Business Post' newspaper that she was considering a civil action against the state for failing to protect her husband is inaccurate : " I never actually said that . I'm not in it for the money. I just want answers to questions......."
(MORE LATER).

BODENSTOWN 2010 AND JUNE 13th CABHAIR FUNCTION REPORTS :
The Wolfe Tone Commemoration this year was very well attended , with all branches of the Republican Movement represented. The main oration was delivered by ex-POW Stiofán O Dálaigh (Stephen Daly) , from Tyrone , and we publish the text of his well-received oration here :

"A chairde agus A Chomrádaithe,

It is a great honour for me to address you all here today. As you and I gather here today we remember with pride not only the name of Theobald Wolfe Tone but the legacy he left behind. In the eyes of genuine Republicans he is viewed as the father of Irish Republicanism, a description truly deserving of a great man.

Wolfe Tone was only 35 years of age when he died for the cause in which he believed. That cause was to unite the people of Ireland, and I quote:

'To subvert the tyranny of our execrable government, to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country – these were my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the memory of all past dissentions, and to substitute the common name of Irishman, in the place of the denominations of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter – these were my means.

To unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter under the common name of Irishman in order to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, that was my aim.

If the men of property will not support us, they must fall. Our strength shall come from that great and respectable class, the men of no property.'

Tone was a revolutionary, he accepted in the short-term that debate on reform would have to take place but when talking would fail, revolt would happen. In 1798, like today, the United Irishmen would be scourged with informers like all revolutionary struggles throughout the world. There were and are those who are driven by the love of monetary wealth. In the case of Wolfe Tone his plans were betrayed to the British by a corrupt attorney.

The history of Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen is known to all you who attend here today. It is imperative that we, the Republicans of today, lead from the front as our forefathers did. It is true of today’s struggle that we face many enemies; we have those whose sole desire is the total destruction of Irish Republicanism.

These people have been corrupted by their greed and as a result they have allowed themselves to become entrenched in criminality. The British government has a vested interest in Republicanism, they have for decades infiltrated all of the revolutionary bodies. However it must be stressed that the British would fail in their attempts if not for the help they undoubtedly receive from the hateful type of person that becomes an informer.

Today’s struggle is no different from the struggle faced by Plunkett, Pearse and Tone. We the Republican people of today find ourselves in the minority. Our dedication to see our country free from the chains of British imperialism has been used by our enemies not only on the outside but from within. We have seen those who pretend to be Republican tarnish the good name of the Republican Movement by involving themselves with criminals, drug dealers and known informers. These people have asked for support in their actions claiming they are involved in taking ‘military action’. What are these military actions they speak of, extortion, protection of drug dealers, racketeering and the shooting of teenagers; these are not the actions of a revolutionary Republican Movement. These are the actions of a criminal gang. Criminality cannot and will not be tolerated. The Republican Movement will no longer allow such gang lords to operate under the banner of Republicanism. Your dirty deeds have been uncovered.

As a result of these actions by criminals and informers, we the true Republicans must rebuild and regain the trust of not only our communities but of the whole of Ireland and the rest of the world. The road ahead will be difficult, we have a lot to overcome but these difficult situations are not insurmountable. The path we walk is well-worn, but it has not led us wrong yet. Of course there were those who deviated and they have the audacity to look over their shoulders and call us elitist. Well we say to you, the path we remain on is the same one our forefathers stood on, and if it was good enough for them than its good enough for us.

At this moment in time we have Republican Prisoners of War fighting for the reintroduction of political status. These men, some of whom are only teenagers, are involved in the third phase of Republican struggle. For centuries the British imperialist forces have been guilty of horrendous and heinous acts of barbarism against Republican prisoners. Today is no different.

Republican prisoners are locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. If a Republican prisoner has a legal visit he is then denied any form of exercise as a result he gets no fresh air. Republican prisoners are being subjected to strip-searches on a daily basis and now family members of Republican prisoners are being strip-searched on visits to see their sons, fathers and husbands.

Meals are handed in through locked doors, these meals are either served cold or lukewarm; bread has been handed to Republican prisoners already mouldy. Showers are being denied and some of the Republican prisoners have not have not had a shower in up to three weeks. Republican prisoners have been subjected to attacks by prison staff, one man received a boot in the face, a number of men have been beaten up by the notorious search team and forcibly removed from their comrades and placed in isolation.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), the British government and the prison service have denied all of the above, but as a former Republican prisoner I know that all of the reports are accurate. The Prison Officers association (POA) and not the governor run Maghaberry jail (Co Antrim). They have planted names in the cell of a Republican prisoner which resulted in the governor resigning. They are refusing to accept that change is necessary and that contrary to their assumptions the Republican prisoners are only looking to be treated with dignity and respect.

We the Republican people of Ireland hereby state that we will not stand idly by and let this abuse continue. The Republican Prisoners of War have our fullest support and dedication, we salute you.

I would like to finish by saying that the struggle in which Tone gave his life for is still ongoing. We the Republican people must move forward and once again strike a blow for Ireland. Let us not forget the sacrifices of the past and that the men and women who died for Ireland did so, not for any fringe benefits, but for the Republican cause and a united and free Ireland. "There are those who are and those who pretend to be."

To you, the true Republican people who gathered here today, I would like to thank you for your attendance, you are following in the footsteps of great men and women and their sacrifices and yours will not be forgotten.

Stay true to the cause of Ireland.
Tiocfaidh Ár Lá."

The criminal element referred to by Stephen in his oration are known to the owners of this blog , and we can confirm what he stated in that speech : up until recently , those people professed loyality to Irish Republicanism but, led, in the main, by one man and two of his supporters - all of whom have been nursing severe sour grapes over their failure to win positions in the leadership of the Movement - cried 'foul' (some six months after they allege the 'foul' was committed!) and left the organisation a few weeks ago. They have since approached those in charge of a different republican organisation with a 'plan of action' : that they would join their organisation, in leadership positions, naturally, and, in return (!) that organisation would change its name to one suggested by the 'new leadership'. They were told , in no uncertain terms, where to go.....

They are now pointlessly thrashing around in a very dangerous place - between their 'new friends' (with 'sympathetic ears' and an 'understanding shoulder') in the State Special Branch and known drug dealers , and have purposely cut-off all contact with Irish Republicanism. They are now acting , to the best of their abilities, as 'agents provocateurs' and are now just another anti-republican element. Their actions, and their intentions, are to be condemned.

However , tangents aside : the Wolfe Tone Commemoration went ahead as announced and intended, and was only partially impaired by three 'obstacles' ; the monsoon-like thunderous rain , the unwanted presence of the Political Police and the arrest, by the latter, of an RSF supporter from Donegal , after he was jumped-on by five State agents for 'refusing to be cooperative' ie he gave them his name and address , as required, but it was not 'detailed enough' . His arrest was meant to be a 'signal' to republicans to become subservient like the previously-mentioned criminal element had. The answer was 'NO!' , the Commemoration went ahead and it's 'business as usual' since then!

Also , on that same Sunday (June 13th 2010) , a function for CABHAIR was held in a Dublin hotel , for which over 600 tickets had been sold : this was a resounding success , and the organisers ran out of tickets to sell due to their being a christening party in a different function room of the same venue ! A tidy sum was raised for the dependants of Irish Republican prisoners , and the organisers were asked by the hotel management to run another such event next month- which has already been organised!

Overall - apart from the impairments mentioned above - both events were to the benefit of Irish Republicanism and the organisers (RSF and CABHAIR) are to be congratulated for their successful efforts.
Thanks for reading!
Sharon.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" The scandalously immoral collaboration of the South with the British and Loyalist war-machine not only against Republicans but even against "anti-extradition and Birmingham Six elements" is an issue which those concerned with the plight of political prisoners and activists in Southern Africa and Central America might address when they have time.

However, even the most elaborate big lies, combined with state censorship and ideological revisionism cannot hide the fundamental principles and facts on which this movement is based.

The real question, even after we have disposed with the overlordship of the EC, the British power over all Ireland through the "security" farce of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, and the mind-boggling scenario of Fine Gael and the Unionists forming common cause in the Strasbourg Assembly , is the right of the Irish nation to self-determination, the right of all the Irish people to express their views on that issue, in free, fair and uncensored elections , and the restoration of real democracy in a country which has been denied that right ever since the Partition Act of 1920......."
(MORE LATER).

TWO UP-COMING REPUBLICAN EVENTS.....
......both , unfortunately, taking place at the same time , on the same day !

The annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration will be held on Sunday coming (13th June 2010 , 2.30pm) and , whilst most members and supporters of the Republican Movement will be there , some of us have been asked to give a hand with this event, which is being held in a hotel about five miles from the Wolfe Tone Commemoration. Over 600 tickets have been sold for the fund-raiser , with all profits going to the CABHAIR organisation, which raises funds for the dependants of Irish Republican prisoners. As much as I would like to be in Bodenstown with my comrades , colleagues and friends , I don't begrudge missing same for CABHAIR and for the benefit of the POW's. Either way - from either of the 'gigs' - Irish Republicanism will benefit!
Thanks for reading!
Sharon.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

"No doubt Bishop Daly and those other members of the Catholic clergy whose 'ideal situation' consists of nothing more than a few strong 'Catholic voices' within the "UK" political set-up would welcome this - provided West Belfast could be turned over to the SDLP at the same time.

It was interesting to note that the Tories who spoke in favour of this change spoke also of a "two-party system" emerging in the North, and went on to presume that the other party would be a "Labour Party" ? A 'new' NILP, perhaps ? Surely not. Will the SDLP be expected to fill the role they did under Lord Gerry Fitt after Bernadette Devlin and Frank McManus were elected in 1970, and Whitehall desperately wanted a tame 'Social Democratic' voice in Westminster, oath-bound and constitutionally as loyal as Lord Fitt, the erstwhile 'Republican Labour' MP proved to be as soon as the leadership of the new SDLP came along.

The 'normalisation' of Six County politics is as sinister as the 'Ulsterisation' of British security there. Both aim to rule Ireland, North and South, with minimum loss and an "economy of British lives". With Gerry Collins, trading Irish lives for favourable publicity aimed at his own Fianna Fail leadership bid, the ground for the final British 'final solution' is being paved......."
(MORE LATER).

In Bodenstown Churchyard...

Annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration, Sallins, Co.Kildare, 2.30pm, Sunday June 13th, 2010. The main oration will be delivered by ex-POW , Tyrone man Stephen Daly.

The annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration will be held this year on Sunday 13th June(2010). The Dublin bus will leave from Aston Quay (ex-McBirneys/Virgin Megastore) at 12.45pm , and will be returning from Sallins to Dublin at 5.30pm . Price per seat €10.

"In Bodenstown churchyard there lies a green grave
And wildly around it the winter winds rave
Small shelter is weaned from the cruel walls there
When the storm clouds blow down on the plains of Kildare

Once I stood on that sod that lies over Wolfe Tone
And I thought how he perished in prison alone
His friends unavenged and his country unfreed
Oh pity, I thought, Is the patriot's need

I was awakened from my dreaming by voices and tread
Of a band who came in to the home of the dead
There were students and peasants, the wise and the brave
And an old man who knew him from cradle to grave

This old man who saw I was weeping there said
We've come for to weep where young Wolfe Tone lies laid
We're going to build him a monument, too
A small one yet simple for the patriot true

My heart overflowed and I clasped his old hand
And I blessed him and blessed everyone in the band
"Sweet sweet 'tis to find that such things can remain
To a man that's been long been vanquished and slain

In Bodenstown churchyard there lies a green grave
And wildly around it let the winter winds rave
Far better it suits him the wind and the gloom
Until Ireland a nation might build him a tomb."
(From here.)
Thanks - we hope to see some of our readers there on Sunday 13th June next!
Sharon.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

24-HOUR FAST IN SUPPORT OF MAGHABERRY POW'S.....
....on Friday 4th June 2010 ,at 2pm, outside the GPO in Dublin , a 24-hour Fast in support of the POW's in Maghaberry Prison will begin : the Fast will end at 2pm on Saturday 5th June. This has been arranged by the RSF POW Department , and if you can help, in any way, it would be much appreciated.

Republican prisoners are unbroken and unbreakable.

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton.

Speaking at a march and rally held in Belfast on Saturday May 29 in support of the struggle for political status by the Republcan prisoners in Maghaberry prison, the President of Republican Sinn Féin, Des Dalton, said:

" 'I have no prouder boast than to say I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people and for Ireland. If I have a duty I will perform it to the full in the unshakable belief that we are a noble race and that chains and bonds have no part in us.' These are the words of Hunger Strike Francis Hughes written in a letter addressed to the people of South Derry and surrounding areas five days before he embarked on his hunger strike.
He was in doubt as to the nature of their protest when he said that: "Its very roots lie in the 1100 years of struggle" against England’s occupation of our country. The men in Maghaberry today are imprisoned by the same enemy and for the same cause. We are proud of each and every one of them.

The fight of the prisoners in Maghaberry is a struggle for the right inherent to all who take up arms against the forces of British occupation – the right to political status. These men are political prisoners, denied their freedom because they refuse to acquiesce in the face of British rule. They are in the vanguard of a generation who have neither been purchased or intimidated. Standing with them is a man who served 19 years of a 25-year sentence in Long Kesh Martin Corey of Lurgan. He is a political hostage; interned because he too can neither be purchased or intimidated, unbroken and unbreakable.
The Republican prisoners in Maghaberry are engaged in a fight against the British state’s attempt to criminalise Ireland’s historic fight for freedom. By their action the prisoners are sending a message which echoes throughout Ireland and the world that British rule will never be accepted in Ireland and will always be met with resistance.
In its monthly publication the Six-County British Colonial Police Federation admitted that the RUC/PSNI must recognise the “enduring nature” of Republican resistance. The chain of Republican continuity stretches back over two hundred years, we will endure and resist until the last vestige of British rule has been removed from our country.
Francis Hughes knew well the importance of mobilising the people and the strength which the Republican prisoners can draw from the solidarity and activism of the people. As you march and rally, refuse to be intimated by the harassment of the much hated RUC and those who cower beside them. Shout all the louder Political Status Now!"
FRIDAY , 4th JUNE NEXT, 2pm , GPO DUBLIN - 24-HOUR FAST.....
Sharon.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Aitheasc an Uachtaráin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh don 85ú Ard-Fheis de Shinn Féin in Óstlann an Spa , Leamhcán , Co. Atha Cliath , 21ú agus 22ú Deireadh Fómhair , 1989 /
Presidential Address of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to the 85th Ard-Fheis of Sinn Féin in the Spa Hotel , Lucan , County Dublin , 21st and 22nd October 1989.....

" Nevertheless the recent decision of the Tory party to organise and to consider contesting elections in that part of Ireland which is directly ruled by Britain, is interesting.

It marks both a milestone in the century-old alliance with Unionist and Orange reaction and a further attempt by the 'Saatchi and Saatchi' people to clean up the mess that is British rule in Ireland by giving 'new style' Tory imperialism a more acceptable public image abroad.

This may result in straight vote splits between Unionists and Tories in some constituencies which, in turn , could spell the end of the lie that places like Fermanagh and Tyrone , Mid-Ulster etc were ever pro-Union with England. Certain Conservative elements would welcome this. With Mr Hume (pictured here, on the right , of course...) in Derry and Mr Mallon (on the left in this picture. Only.) in Newry and Armagh , the scenario of 17 Northern seats at Westminster with anything up to 7 of these being held by "anti-Unionists" would put a cleaner gloss on the basic national gerrymander that is partition....."
(MORE LATER).

ON SATURDAY MAY 29th, 2010, a march will take place in Belfast to demand political status for the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry. No permission has been sought from the British state for the march as it is a long standing principle of Irish Republicans not to seek permission from either the British or 26-County state to march anywhere in Ireland.
The march will assemble in at Dunville Park and make its way to Castle St where a rally will be held. Among the speakers will be the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton, Vice President Fergal Moore and a relative of the POWs. The march is being organised by the Republican Sinn Féin POW Department.
We ask as many as possible of the readers of this blog to attend this rally
as it is important that both corrupt 'parliaments' in Ireland - and their 'Mother' parliament in Westminster - be left in no doubt that Irish Republicans on the outside are not prepared to sit on the sidelines and watch as their comrades 'inside' are mistreated by the representatives of that 'Mother' parliament.

A fund-raiser for the Cumann na mBan organisation will be held on Friday 18th June 2010 in the 79'r Pub in Ballyfermot, Dublin , featuring the Irish ballad group 'The Druids'. Doors open at 8.30pm , admission per person is €5 and a raffle for Irish Republican items will be held on the night. ALL WELCOME !
Thanks!
Sharon.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

CABHAIR 2010 TESTIMONIAL , Saturday 22nd May : a dignified and fitting tribute to five Irish Republican stalwarts!

Over 100 four-course dinners were served to the Irish Republican men and women who had travelled from all over Ireland , England , Scotland , Wales and America , to the Academy Plaza Hotel in Dublin , to show their respect to the 2010 CABHAIR Honorees - Joan Kennedy (Cork) , Pádraig MacMathúna (Clare) , Leo Martin (Belfast) , Paul Stanley (Kildare) and Bart Gormley (Galway). The meals were served in a ground-floor lounge area , after which we retired to one of the basement function rooms for the actual presentations , speeches , drinks , raffle and chit-chat !

Each presentation was preceeded by a few words from the Chairperson , Dan Hoban, Mayo, who outlined part of the reason why CABHAIR had picked that particular person as worthy to receive the blessing of the Republican Movement , and some of the stories re-lived during the comments delivered by Dan - to loud cheers from the audience ! - are best not repeated here! The bar was kept very busy , with a good few of the CABHAIR guests deciding instead to take the lift up to the ground floor for quicker service, and it seemed that each such 'traveller' returned to the function with a recently 'lost' friend , as extra seating had to be quickly obtained by the CABHAIR 'bouncers' present !
RSF President , Des Dalton , gave a rousing speech , during which he thanked the CABHAIR Honorees for their service to Irish Republicanism , and gave notice of a few up-coming events , including the Saturday May 29th 2010 March and rally in Belfast in support of Irish Republican POW's - this rally will be assembling at Dunville Park and will make its way to Castle Street . A loud cheer was given when Des stressed that no 'permission' from the British had been applied for , nor would it be, for this event.
There were six prizes on offer at the raffle : two framed and etched Republican mirrors , one bodhron, two bottles of booze and one 'Irish Freedom Press' gift voucher , to the value of €30. Needless to say, this blog walked/stumbled away (at 3.30am!) empty-handed ! Like all of those present , we met , had dinner , drinks and talked with old friends , colleagues and comrades , and we're told one of us (!) made a right show of herself on the dance floor...
We publish 20-odd* pictures from the night with these few paragraphs ( * - lost count. Still mentally on the 'dance floor'! ) , some of which are 'not the best' : we still haven't mastered the fine art of holding a camera , focussing it and taking a good picture with one hand , whilst holding pints of cider with the other hand , and carrying a few other such pints under the belt !
By the way - the last ten pictures (again -* !) are specially for our friends in New York , New Jersey , and Boston , amongst other American cities , and have nothing at all to do with the fact that we here at this blog are saving our cents in the hope of a US holiday. Cheap , or FOC digs, mean that 5th Avenue will see more of us ;-) !

The group on stage.

CABHAIR 'shop' at the 2010 Testimonial.

Some of those present at the 2010 CABHAIR Testimonial , 22nd May , Dublin.

Plaques ready for presentation.

Presentation to Pádraig.

Presentation to Leo.

Ruairi and Bart.

Presentation to Bart.

Presentation to Joan.

On behalf of Paul Stanley...

Joan , Donal and Dan.

Section of the crowd.

The CABHAIR organisation is to be congratulated for the principled manner in which , as usual , it honoured those at this years Testimonial , for the organisational skills which were very much evident , and for the professional manner it handled all aspects of the function. It is one of the annual pleasures that we on this blog are thrilled to attend , knowing in advance that a good evening (and morning!) are in store. And we weren't disappointed !
Thanks for reading - and, again, apologises for some of the pics. We're only going to drink glasses next year. Promise...
Sharon.