Posted by Jim on April 30, 2016
Weeping Winds
![[Image]](http://www.irishhungerstrike.com/images/pict22.jpg)
Bobby, Gerald Rooney and Tom-Boy Loudon in Long Kesh prison camp.
***************
Weeping Winds
Oh! Cold March winds your cruel laments
Are hard on prisoners’ hearts,
For you bring my mother’s pleading cries
From whom I have to part.
I hear her weeping lonely sobs
Her sorrows sweep me by,
And in the dark of prison cell
A tear has warmed my eye.
Oh! Whistling winds why do you weep
When roaming free you are,
Oh! Lonely winds that walk the night
To haunt the sinner’s soul
Pray pity me a wretched lad
Who never will grow old.
Pray pity those who lie in pain
The bondsman and the slave,
And whisper sweet the breath of God
Upon my humble grave.
Oh! Cold March winds that pierce the dark
You cry in aged tones
For souls of folk you’ve brought to God
But still you bear the moans.
Oh! Weeping wind this lonely night
My mother’s heart is sore,
Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom’s breath
That she may weep no more.
Posted by Jim on
Sean Bresnahan looks at the upcoming elections in the North. Sean
Bresnahan is a member of the Thomas Ashe Society in Omagh and National
PRO of the 1916 Societies.
With yet another election in the Six Counties around the corner it’s
worth stepping back and looking at its purpose in context. The reality
is that all of the goings on around this election are nothing more than
the meaningless outworkings of a game within a game, with ringmaster
Britain pulling the strings from above, as ever in control of us all.
The only game that matters is the one she plays and she plays alone with
the rest of us mere pawns. That is the real context to this election.
It is a simple fact proven over and over, borne out by a record eighteen
years in the making, that none of those standing – whether parties,
Independents or whoever – should they get to Stormont will make the
slightest difference to the lives of people in West Tyrone, Derry City,
Belfast, Mid-Ulster or anywhere else. The system, with Stormont merely
its regional hub, ensures otherwise as the real power lies elsewhere,
with Stormont no more than a well-paid, glorified Council.
The place and its record of delivery are a farce. Yet bizarrely,
everyone still dances to the same tune come election time – which in
reality is the British tune. People would be far better served if they
refused to vote in this election and brought the turnout below 50
percent. That, and the ‘crisis of legitimacy’ it would herald, would
represent a much bigger statement and a far greater challenge to the
status quo than anything that might come from the foolish notion we can
somehow change the system from within.
The truth is that what we need in Ireland at this moment are not more
pantomime elections – that do no more than uphold that same status quo –
but a fresh start, where the people of this country are finally granted
control of their own destiny in a reconstituted All-Ireland Republic.
Stormont and its elections serve to frustrate that end and there is no
root to the Republic through Stormont or its Border Poll. Indeed the
reality is that Stormont is a bulwark to prevent the Republic being
realised.
Its reputation could not be lower and with savage austerity and cuts to
every budget conceivable ahead the likelihood is that this will only
worsen – and considerably. Were the incoming Assembly to have a mandate
from less than half of those on the six-county register that would have
serious repercussions on its ability to push through its attacks on
ordinary people. There would be a clear lack of support from the people
it purports to govern for policies to be implemented on behalf of their
masters in London.
The mind then boggles as to why some republicans believe it worthwhile
to run candidates to Stormont through the backdoor. Worse though is the
pretence it’s not happening or that they’re somehow not involved. Their
dodging aside, can they not see they will help no cause here only the
British cause – which is to entrench British rule in Ireland and bolster
its perceived legitimacy? Whether they know it or not they are already
on the road to doom. We should be careful they don’t take us with them.
Rather than encourage people to ‘play the game’ and participate in this
farce we should embrace instead a revolutionary analysis. Rather than
give legitimacy to this useless and utterly servile institution we
should instead be doing all in our power to undermine and expose it, in
the process empowering our own institutions which proceed from the
people themselves. These alone are what will serve us, as will no doubt
be required, in the looming battle against corporate finance and its
impending assault on us all.
Where republicanism should be, coming into this election, is not with
those set on propping up the failing Stormont Assembly, its crumbling,
undemocratic ‘mandate’ with it, but set on empowering a grassroots
alternative capable of impacting on power and realising meaningful
change in our country. We will never expose the facade of Stormont rule,
which is British rule from behind, by helping prop up its collapsing
mandate. That is what all intent on the Irish Republic should understand
– now and not tomorrow or after this election. By then it will be too
late.
Posted by Jim on
By STEPHEN CASTLE APRIL 29, 2016
LONDON — The two biggest parties in Ireland on Friday overcame decades of enmity to cooperate on the creation of a minority government, ending weeks of deadlock after an inconclusive election in February.
The agreement is the start of a unique experiment in Irish politics under which the governing party, Fine Gael, is expected to lead a minority administration, with the tacit support of its main rival, Fianna Fail.
“Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have reached a political agreement to facilitate a Fine Gael-led minority government,” both parties said in a statement, the Irish broadcaster RTE reported.
“Both party leaders are now being briefed, extensive drafting has to be done, and then both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will hold separate parliamentary party meetings to outline the details of the confidence and supply arrangement,” the statement added.
Although both parties are ideologically from the center-right, they have been fierce opponents, tracing their rivalry to the aftermath of Ireland’s struggle for independence.
Together they have dominated Irish politics, but they have never shared power, and the deal struck on Friday does not call for a formal coalition.
The agreement resulted from fraught negotiations after the February election, from which Prime Minister Enda Kenny of Fine Gael emerged without a majority.
In the aftermath of Ireland’s financial crisis, Mr. Kenny’s government appeared to pay an electoral price for pursuing austerity policies, although the economy has rebounded recently.
The elections on Feb. 26 left Fine Gael with 50 seats in Parliament, Fianna Fail with 44, Sinn Fein with 23 and the Labour Party with 7, plunging Ireland into its longest period of political limbo since independence in the 1920s.
The agreement reached on Friday means that Mr. Kenny is likely to return as prime minister, but this time at the head of a minority government. Without a formal coalition, he is likely to face a constant battle to secure support for parliamentary votes, though he is expected to have the support of some independent members of Parliament.
Fianna Fail’s negotiator, Michael McGrath, said in remarks reported by The Associated Press that the days of majority rule were over, adding that the country was “entering into a new era in Irish politics, where the views of everyone need to be taken on board.”
“It is going to be a very challenging scenario for everybody involved, but we have to make it work,” Mr. McGrath said.
The agreement still needs to be ratified by lawmakers, and there will be a parliamentary vote to elect a prime minister.
But if Fianna Fail’s lawmakers abstain as expected, Mr. Kenny is likely to receive the most votes, giving him the authority to form a new cabinet
Posted by Jim on
Second weekend of commemorations to mark Rising anniversary
A large 1916 Rising commemoration parade took place through Belfast city
centre without major incident on Sunday despite efforts by loyalists to
disrupt the event.
The ‘People’s Parade’, organised by the Easter Rising Centenary
Committee, was an attempt to unify all shades of republicanism in a
single parade to mark 100 years to the day since the Rising began.
Loyalists who had gathered at the junction of Royal Avenue and North
Street hurled abuse as the parade made its way past. Due to a Parades
Commission ruling, the bands played a single drum beat only as they
passed the loyalists.
A massive PSNI operation was in force from early morning, with several
streets around the bottom of Royal Avenue blocked off with screens. Land
Rovers lined Royal Avenue and surrounding streets, while riot police
took positions along Belfast’s main thoroughfare.
Thousands had set off from the New Lodge area of north Belfast en route
to Barrack Street off the Falls Road to join the main Belfast Easter
Rising commemoration. Young people carried images of the seven
signatories of the Proclamation, followed by bands and supporters.
Headed by a colour party dressed in traditional Irish Volunteers
uniform, flute bands and marchers carrying photos of the Rising leaders
followed close behind, mingling with supporters of all ages.
The republicans then made their way along Castle Street to nearby
Barrack Street, where they joined several hundred more who had gathered
to parade to Milltown Cemetery. The parade came to a halt at the garden
of remembrance on the Falls, as the colour party stopped to salute the
republican dead.
A spokesman for the Easter Rising Centenary Committee told the younger
members of the crowd that he “hoped they would be here to organise the
150th anniversary.”
He said: “It is our hope that this day be marked in the same way as July
4th in the US and Bastille Day in France.
“They (the Rising participants) held on for six days…they inspired
people of other countries to throw off the shackles of their British
masters. The republic proclaimed in 1916 has still not been realised.
Six counties are still under British occupation.”
The names of some of the republicans from Ulster who gathered in
Coalisland 100 years ago to participate in the Rising were read out,
along with a poem and the last words of the seven signatories of the
Proclamation.
The commemoration ended with a minute’s silence and a rendition of
Amhran na bhFiann by the Carrick Hill Independent Flute Band.
SINN FEIN
The Sinn Fein commemoration on Sunday, mounted on a stage in the centre
of O’Connell Street was an upbeat event attended by several thousand.
Instead of IRA-style uniforms, there were people in 1916-era Volunteer,
Citizen Army and Cumann na mBan uniforms.
Re-enactors from the Cabra Historical Society fired simulated volleys,
and the emphasis was on the political legacy of 1916 and the need
peacefully to complete the dream of a 32-county republic.
A banner fixed to the GPO’s front wall bore the Liberty Hall slogan “We
serve neither King nor Kaiser, but Ireland”, while Stormont Deputy Fist
Minister Martin McGuinness delivered the speech. He told the crown that
“the days of second-class citizenship in the North are over” due to “the
sacrifice, the determination and the courage of this generation of Irish
republicans”.
He said Sinn Fein was the only party committed to achieving Irish unity
and delivering on the proclamation. He denounced the “self-serving
political parties” of the “establishment” for standing by during times
of crisis for republicanism.
“Sinn Fein is the only political party on this island working to end
that fracture in their nation and to achieving the Republic set out in
the proclamation,” he said. “The spirt of 1916 is as relevant and
inspiring today as it was a century ago.”
The event concluded with a rendition of “A Nation Once Again”.
RSF
Thousands turned out on Saturday for the main Republican Sinn Fein
centenary commemoration as it marched down O’Connell Street.
The parade from the Garden of Remembrance to the GPO involved marching
bands and military colour parties. Republican Sinn Fein said the
organisations in attendance included Na Fianna Eireann and Cumann na
mBan, led by a Piper and the Coatsbridge United Irishmen RFB.
Senior Republican Sinn Fein figures John Joe McCusker and Des Dalton
spoke outside the GPO, where marchers halted during proceedings. Wreaths
were laid by John Hunt, a Veteran of the republican cause of Limerick
and Chicago.
STATE EVENTS
The largest state event of the weekend took place at Croke Park, the
headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Associaton, who marked the centenary
with a theatrical production. ‘Laochra’ featured dance, song and poetry
that ended with a rendition of Amhran na bhFiann.
Children read the Proclamation while the names of GAA clubs named after
the leaders of the Easter Rising were also read aloud. GAA President
Aogan O Fearghail said it was a “very special day for Cumann Luthchleas
Gael”.
Separately, President Michael D Higgins led the annual commemorations at
Arbour Hill in Dublin. A wreath in honour of the rebel leaders was laid
in the cemetery where 14 of them are buried.
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin spoke at the religious service in
the Church of the Sacred Heart. He urged people to seize the ideals of
the Proclamation.
“As Irish men and Irish women we are called still today never to betray
the ideals which inspired these who took part in the 1916 Rising or to
let those ideals be betrayed or watered down through our cynicism or
mediocrity,” the senior cleric said.
He also relaid notes taken by Father Columbus Murphy, a Capuchin priest,
who met rebel leader Padraig Pearse before his execution.
He read: “(Pearse) was seated with his head bowed down, sunk deep into
his arms resting on a little table… Disturbed by the noise of my entry
he slowly raised his head… Then recognizing the (religious) habit in
which I was garbed he got up, stretching out his hand and said ‘Oh
Father, the loss of life, the destruction, but please God it will not be
in vain”‘.