This says it all.
Posted by Jim on April 11, 2015
Who Fears to Speak of Easter Week ? – Opinion Piece from Gerry Adams
Posted by Jim on
When the government first unveiled its commemoration programme for 1916 it was widely viewed as short term, shambolic and superficial.
Since then a former leader of Fine Gael has put forward the view that the Rising was not needed and was a civil war.
Following widespread criticism, and in the run up to the elections the government has now brought forward a more fitting commemoration. This is to be welcomed
However there remains vacuity at the centre of the plans.
This government just doesn’t get 1916. It is an inconvenient issue and you get the impression that they just want the commemorations to be out of the way and to return to business as usual.
Their approach has been to strip away any politics and context to the rising. To reduce it to a tragedy in which death and injury was inflicted equally on all sides, and so all sides must be equally remembered.
This is a shallow and wholly self-serving approach to our history. Devoid of context or politics the Rising is portrayed as a moment in history that should be kept in a little glass case and studied or in the view of some in the Redmondite wing of Fine Gael an unnecessary moment of madness.
Without a doubt war is brutal. It visits death and injury on all sides.
The grief of a mother and father, brother and sister, or son and daughter is not diminished by circumstance of that loss. The grief experienced by the family of an RIC member was no different from that of a member of the IRA who fought in the GPO or a civilian killed on the streets. All have the right to be respected and remembered.
However it is wrong for the state commemoration to be reduced to solely to an act of remembrance for a collection of individuals.
While each is a story of individual courage and loss, those involved in the Rising were more than a collection of individuals. They were an army and a movement with a shared republican politics, shaped by their experience of the British Empire and world war.
Those who took part in the Rising, gave their lives and liberty, to deliver the republic enshrined in the proclamation. A republic built on the principles of equality and sovereignty, of human rights and civil liberties, and of unity and nationhood. Principles that remain a challenge to successive governments in this state.
It is in these principles that we find the government’s problem with the commemoration. For this government it is easier to deal with the notion of individual loss and sacrifice, than promote the ideas of the proclamation.
So the government does not address the inequality, division and lack of sovereignty, that drove a generation of republicans onto the streets of Dublin.
They even proposed to rewrite the proclamation and hope that we forget that the original one has been undermined by the actions of successive governments. Heaven forbid that we even mention the north or the continued failure that is partition.
The memory and ownership of 1916 does not exclusively belong to Sinn Féin, any other party or the government. The commemoration of the rising cannot be limited to a lecture, an exhibition or a parade.
It belongs to the Irish nation, all the people that share this island and the Irish nation spread across the globe.
While the commemoration must be an opportunity for remembrance, it is also an opportunity for national renewal, for building a new republic.
In the last election the government promised a democratic revolution and delivered hardship, inequality, continued loss of sovereignty, a hands off attitude to the North and the Good Friday Agreement. There is a demand across our nation for change, a demand for the republic promised in 1916.
Our history cannot be encased in a museum, or mausoleum it is part of who we are, where we are from, and were we want to go.
That is why Sinn Féin developed a programme of events to mark 1916. We are seeking to encourage communities to engage with their heritage and to rise to the challenge of delivering a republic for citizens.
I
t would appear that the government is afraid to speak of Easter week, afraid of the challenge that it opens and afraid of the views of citizens.
The most fitting tribute to the loss of past generations including republicans, British and civilians is to deliver the republic promised on the steps of the GPO.
A 32 county republic in which citizens have equality and rights and the sovereignty of the nation is protected.
This generation has the opportunity and ability to deliver such a republic without making the sacrifice of previous generations. There is now a peaceful and democratic way to achieve this. But it will require leadership, determination and putting the needs of the nation above individual political position.
Maybe the real reason that that the government does not
want to talk about the unfinished business of 1916 is that it will remind them of their failure and remind citizens that they retain the power to make good the proclamation.
Prisoners stage lily protest
Posted by Jim on
Republican political prisoners occupied a canteen in Maghaberry jail on
Easter Sunday in protest at being refused permission to wear lilies to
remember their dead.
Around 13 prisoners held on the controversial jail’s Roe 3 landing took
part in the protest to highlight the prison ban. The landing is home to
prisoners represented by Cogus, which is linked to the Republican
Network for Unity, as well as Cabhair-represented prisoners, which
aligned with Republican Sinn Fein.
The prison has been protests and conflict since prison authorities
reneged on a 2010 deal to end strip searches and limit controlled
movement. Prison authorities have insisted that those who wear the lily
at Easter are not allowed to leave their cells.
On Sunday prisoners left their cells and entered the jail’s canteen
area, where they attached the lily to their clothing. The canteen was
also decorated with Easter lilies and pictures of the 1916 rising
leaders.
In a statement Cogus prisoners said the take-over was launched “in
resistance against the jail administration’s attempts to prevent
republican prisoners from commemorating and remembering” their dead.
Prisoners then watched documentaries on Irish history and prisoner
issues during the protest before moving into the exercise yard to take
part in sporting activities. During the takeover, Easter statements,
along with the proclamation, were read out and the national anthem
sung,-
After returning to their cells that night those who took part in the
protest were told by a senior prison officer that they were being
“charged with wearing an Easter lily”.
The prisoners remain defiant.
“Republican POWs at all times will maintain their discipline and
integrity in the face of British attempts to criminalise and devalue the
republican struggle and those imprisoned by the British state,” they
said in a statement.
“Any attempts at preventing us from honouring our fallen revolutionaries
will be resisted in full using measures of our own choosing.
Going forward Republican PooWs will continue our resistance and pursuit
of our political objectives, continuing to conduct ourselves in the
manner with which Republican POWs have done throughout the history of
prison struggle.”
Tens of thousands attend Easter commemorations
Posted by Jim on
There was an extraordinary number and diversity of Easter commemorations
this year as many organisations, republican and otherwise, held events
with a view to the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising next year.
There were Easter commemorations in Britain, US and Australia, but the
most colourful events took place at home, particularly in Dublin, where
thousands took part in pageantry. Scores of actors dressed in period
costume, and a part of Dublin city centre was briefly transformed into
an Edwardian streetscape.
Sinn Fein in Dublin worked with historical society volunteers to
recreate famous 1916 events such as the ‘O’Rahilly Charge’ on Moore
Street, and the formal surrender by General Padraig Pearse.
Sinn Fein Deputy President Mary Lou McDonald TD delivered the keynote
address at the party’s Easter Sunday rally at the GPO, and also took
part in a ‘military inspection’ of dozens of ‘troops’ dressed in
traditional war of independence garb.
The official 26-County State commemoration took place in Dublin on
Easter Sunday. President Michael D Higgins led the events which
culminated in four Air Corps planes flying over O’Connell Street.
Higgins laid a wreath outside the GPO in remembrance of those who died
during Easter week 1916 and the Proclamation was read by a member of the
26-County Army.
A ‘Road to the Rising’ commemorative event was held by the state in
Dublin on Monday, and was popular with both tourists and locals alike.
Part of O’Connell Street was converted to an Edwardian thoroughfare,
evoking the atmosphere of the capital before 1916.
Relatives of those who fought in the Easter Rising held their own
special remembrance ceremony in Dublin city centre. The 1916 Relatives’
Association said the service is being held to pay tribute to all those
who took part in the events leading up to the Rising, and not just those
who signed the Proclamation. Hundreds of people attended the
wreath-laying ceremony, which took place at the Garden of Remembrance on
Parnell Square.
BELFAST
As at every Easter, the streets of Belfast were brought to life with
hundreds in attendance for the annual parades. Bands and marchers made
their way through Ardoyne in North Belfast and the Falls in the west of
the city, with crowds as usual gathering at Milltown Cemetery
Sinn Fein’s North Belfast representative Gerry Kelly addressed the crowd
gathered for his party’s Belfast Easter Commemoration.
“Republicans are moving Irish society closer to the principles contained
in the 1916 Proclamation every day,” he said. “Easter week 1916 inspired
generations of Irish Republicans but also peoples throughout the world
who rose up against the tyranny of colonial rule, imperialism and
oppression.
“It is a fire still burning bright in the heart of every Irish
republican today. That fight is carried on by Sinn Fein today in our
fight for equality for all.”
Kelly also spoke at a separate commemoration in north Belfast, where he
paid tribute to republicans who died during the conflict. “We are in the
countdown to a united Ireland,” he told the crowd.
Sinn Fein’s candidate in next month’s Westminster General Election,
Gearoid O hEara, spoke at the party’s 1916 Easter Rising commemoration
in Derry city cemetery.
Among those present were Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, party
Assembly members and councillors.
“Sinn Fein ministers are fighting to protect frontline services in
Stormont from the worst of the Tory cuts and we pledge to continue
this,” Mr O hEara said.
CIRA VOLLEY OF SHOTS
There was a more militaristic tone in Lurgan, where a volunteer from the
Armagh brigade of the Continuity IRA fired a volley of shots over the
Republican plot at St Colmans Graveyard at the Easter commemoration on
Saturday.
A military colour party also took part in the short parade before taking
up position at the cemetery’s republican plot. During the event a masked
man appeared and fired three shots over the grave using a handgun.
A message was read out in the name of the leadership of the republican
movement.
“Time after time we have seen that treating with the English government
and compromise on the basis principles of Irish national independence
has afforded the enemy a platform to develop new and more robust
political, economic and military barriers to freedom,” the statement
said.
“There can be no let up to in resistance to British rule. We can only
truly honour 1916 by building a new Ireland based on the principles of
the 1916 proclamation.”
Republican Sinn Fein representative Roisin Hayden, who spoke at the
event, urged republicans to prepare for the centenary of the 1916
Rising.
“As we leave here today let us remember those who have fought and died
for the all-Ireland republic and to who we owe a debt of gratitude,” she
said.
“Let us prepare to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Rising next year
and I call on everyone to help out in any way they can so that the Free
State, the Provisionals and many others claiming to be republicans don’t
hijack our celebrations.”
Republican Sinn Fein also held other commemorations across the north at
the weekend.
One of the party’s main events took place in Derry’s city cemetery on
Sunday after wreaths had earlier been laid at the graves of republicans
in Loup and Dungiven by veteran Mickey McGonigle.
PRISONERS REMEMBERED
Activists of the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Welfare Association
organised various activities and events throughout Ireland.
On Friday, Belfast IRPWA held a successful picket and distributed
information in the Dunville Park area of the Falls Road in order to
highlight the ongoing abuse of Republican Prisoners in Maghaberry. In
addition, a number of Scottish activists undertook a sponsored cycle
from Glasgow to Belfast.
On Saturday, Dublin IRPWA activists organised a tour of Dublin’s South
Inner City’s involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising. On Easter Sunday,
Lurgan IRPWA along with local Republicans activists were to the fore in
the organisation of the local Easter Commemoration. A wreath was laid on
behalf of the IRPWA and IRPWA spokesperson and activist Mandy Duffy
chaired proceedings while Belfast IRPWA activist Dee Fennell gave the
main oration.
DERRY
Several hundred people, including leading members of the 32 County
Sovereignty Movement, the IRSP, the IRPWA and Republican Sinn Fein,
attended the march and commemoration organised by the 1916 National
Commemoration Committee on Easter Monday in Derry.
The PSNI maintained a low profile but informed marchers by loud speaker
and by notices on their Land Rovers that they were taking part in an
illegal parade.
The march was led by a 10-man colour party, dressed in military-style
uniform and accompanied by a flute band. Wreaths were laid at Derry’s
republican monument on behalf of the (new) IRA and the Derry brigade of
the INLA, among other groups.
Mr Donnelly, an independent member of Derry City and Strabane council,
told those present that republicans were united in failure.
He said: “No matter which monument you stand at in 2016, no matter which
banner or flag you gather under, the answer to the sole question
emanating from our patriot graves, as to whether the ideals of the
[Easter] proclamation are yet realised, the collective answer will be a
resounding no.”
A leading member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, Mr Donnelly said
a “national conversation” about republicanism’s message was needed in
the approach to the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
“The fragmented nature of the republican base at present is testament to
the fact that we have lost this ability to communicate. We cannot
advance with a parochial mind-set,” he said.
TYRONE GRAVES
One of the largest Easter commemorations was in Carrickmore, where an
estimated 2,000 republicans were in attendance for an independent event
organised by Tyrone National Graves Association.
Descendants of Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa were among those
who took part in the rally, which was addressed by Tyrone socialist
republican Tommy McKearney.
Brian Cawley, chairman of Tyrone National Graves Association, paid
tribute to dead republicans during the commemoration.
“Tyrone National Graves has a long and proud history of organising this
commemoration, for many years,” he said.
“We salute the courage and bravery of those who have died for Irish
freedom across this county and elsewhere.
“We look forward to marking the 100th anniversary of the rising in
Carrickmore next year and call on all republicans to support the vital
work of refurbishing the St Paul’s monument.”
MCGLINCHEYS
Several hundred people gathered in County Derry last weekend to remember
former INLA leader Dominic McGlinchey and his wife Mary.
McGlinchey was shot dead in February 1994 in Drogheda, County Louth,
while his wife was killed in January 1987 in Dundalk.
Several bands paraded through Bellaghy to the graveside of the couple
who are buried close to former IRA hunger strikers Francis Hughes and
Thomas McElwee.
The couple’s son Declan spoke about the symbolism of the Easter Lily,
which republicans wear to remember their dead.
“I see it a symbol for all those dedicated their lives to the republican
struggle,” he said.
“People who provided the safe houses and logistical support to the
volunteers on the ground.
“These people are buried in this very graveyard and they don’t get the
recognition that my mother and father are getting here today.”
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the IRSP, INLA and Republican Sinn Fein.
After the parade independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle spoke at a
memorial lecture on the human rights of republican prisoners.
DUBLIN EVENTS
The National 1916 Commemoration Committee also held a march in Dublin
from the Garden Of Remembrance to the GPO and then onto Arbour Hill on
Easter Monday.
A similar march was organised by the 1916 Societies in Dublin on Easter
Saturday, its inaugural Easter parade. The James Connolly 1916 Society
in Monaghan also held separate independent Republican Commemorations for
Volunteers Lawrence McNally, Jim Lynagh and Sean McKenna on Easter
Saturday.
Eirigi held a well-attended Easter commemoration parade in Dublin behind
a Glasgow marching band, marching to Moore Street and the GPO on Easter
Saturday. Cathaoirleach eirigi Brian Leeson delivered a short oration
before a rendition of Amhran na bhFiann was played.
DULEEK
There was a large turnout in Duleek on Good Friday for the annual
Independent Easter commemoration hosted by Duleek 1916-1981 Monument
Committee.
Wreaths were laid in memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for
the cause of Irish freedom including Vol Joe Coombes, Vol Noel Gallagher
and Vol Harry McCormick.
The Monument Committee Easter statement was delivered by Ex-POW Tommy
Gallagher and the main speech by Ex-POW Anthony McIntyre. Dave McSweeney
read the proclamation.
The monument committee statement particularly highlighted the
comparisons between the injustices in the 70’s and those of the current
era, and appealed to those present to join the campaign to get the
Craigavon Two released.
RNU
The Republican Network for Unity gathered in Counties Antrim, Derry,
Down, Louth, Wexford, Dublin and elsewhere to play their part in
“principled Republican commemorations” of all those who have given their
lives for Irish Freedom and the revolutionary ideal.
RNU in Dublin held their annual Elizabeth O’ Farrell/ Easter Ceremony on
Monday 6th of April. Led by a colour party, those assembled including
RNU activists from Cork and Dundalk and many independent Republicans
heard Ex-Pow and political activist Declan Carroll chair the event and
give the main oration.
Organisers say that up to 300 people attended a Republican Network for
Unity event in north Belfast on Saturday. The annual event commemorates
members of Na Fianna Eireann from the area who died during the Troubles.
South Down representative Andreas O’Cluaid said it was important to
stick to the original ideals of the proclamation.
“We also note with alarm the Orwellian attempts of the Free State and
other elements to rewrite the 1916 proclamation, to rebrand Irish
republicanism as something it has never been,” he said.
Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising: Patrick Pearse
Posted by Jim on April 9, 2015
Posted by That’s Just How It Was
Pádraig Pearse (Patrick Henry Pearse) is one only a handful of men who have enjoyed the dubious honour of becoming an iconic status in Irish History books based on his role in the 1916 Easter Rising. He was born in Great Brunswick Street in Dublin and had a brother, Willie, and a sister ,Margaret. His father, James, immigrated to Ireland from Birmingham in the 1850s and established a stone masonry and sculpture business.
James’ work became so popular that he was commissioned to do sculptures for churches and other and high-profile buildings. This business flourished and it provide the family with a comfortable middle-class upbringing. James was a Unitarian but raised his children to be free-thinkers. James has two children from a prior marriage who, unfortunately, died in infancy.
Patrick Pearse’s mother, Margaret, was from Dublin; but her father’s family, who lived in County Meath, were fluent speakers of the Irish language. Patrick loved listening to his great-aunt Margaret speak in the native tongue. Combined with her story telling in the Irish language, his mother’s influences, and the schooling he received at Christian Brothers on Westland Row, a real love for the native language was instilled in him. Surrounded by books all his life, Pearse would eventually enter university where he would become a barrister, a poet, writer, and a Irish language school teacher.
Not surprisingly, Pearse soon became involved in the Gaelic revival (Conradh na Gaeilge). He joined the Gaelic League at 16 years of age. At the age of 23, he became the Editor of its newspaper An Claidheamh Soluis (The Sword of Light).
Pearse was inspired by such people as Theobald Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet, both of whom were Protestants with a very clear vision of what a united Ireland should look like.
By 1900, Pearse had been awarded a B.A. in Modern Languages (Irish, English, and French) by the Royal College of Ireland. He had studied at both the University College of Dublin and University College to gain these awards. That same year, he was enrolled as a Barrister-at-Law at Kings Inns and was called to the bar in 1901.
Single-minded about education reform and the Irish language in particular, he co-founded Coláiste Éanna (for boys) and Coláiste Íde (for girls) in 1908. Pearse was devoted to the education of Irish children through the Irish language. Initially, he regarded educational reform as more important than political independence. Up until 1912, he had shared a Home Rule platform with many of the Fenians and was openly committed to Irish Independence. He became increasingly aware that while these platforms were useful in promoting the cause for Irish Independence, it was a wasted opportunity. He began to support the use of physical force and the necessity for a “blood sacrifice” if it became necessary (knowing only too well that this would mean outright war on British rule in Ireland).
Pearse joined the Irish Volunteers upon its foundation in 1913. His knowledge and intelligence soon earned him rapid promotion to its headquarters staff. He was always a good orator on all of the Home Rule platforms, so it was no surprise that he wrote and delivered the speech at the commemoration of Theobald Wolfe Tone in 1913.
Those who were secretly organizing the Easter Rising were impressed by Pearse’s lifelong commitment to Home Rule and high profile in organizing and delivering speeches at all Irish-related rebel movements. In May of 1915, he was approached and offered a role with the secret inner sanctum of the Irish army. Subsequently, he played a very active role in the arrangements for the landing of German arms.
On the 23rd of April, 1916, the Military Council appointed Pearse Commandant–General of the of the Army of Irish Republic and President of the Provisional Government. During Easter week, Pearse served at the rebellion headquarters, the General Post Office, where he was in titular command only. It is unlikely that he fired a single shot. Throughout the conflict, he exuded a calm confidence. He interpreted his role as that of offering encouragement and addressing the men to sustain morale. He occasionally mixed with the public, most famously by reading the Proclamation on Easter Monday. Privately, he agonised over the moral rectitude of what they had undertaken.
The onslaught of missiles and gun shots that had damaged the General Post Office was nothing compared to the fire that swept through the building. They had no choice but to evacuate the building. Pearse organized the evacuation. He was the last to leave. Deliberating overnight in makeshift accommodation, it was at noon the next day he accepted the majority view of all the leaders that they should negotiate with the British to prevent further slaughter of civilians and save the lives of the Volunteers. At 2:30 p.m., he surrendered unconditionally on behalf of the Volunteers. These orders were then made public by the Capuchin Friars who would be the “runners” between Patrick Pearse,James Connolly, and Dublin Castle.
Arrested on the spot, Pearse was taken to Richmond Barracks. He was court martialled on the 2nd of May and transferred to Kilmainham Gaol. He was attended to by the Capuchin friars. He faced his death by whistling all the way to the Kilmainham yard. He was blindfolded executed by firing squad on the 3rd of May, 1916.
While he was in Kilmainham, he wrote letters about why the Easter Rising needed to happen … justifying the need to free Ireland from British rule.
While writing to his mother, Pearse said:
“When we are all wiped out, people will blame us. In a few years, they will see the meaning of what we tried to do.”
“This is the death I should have asked for if God had given me the choice of all deaths.”
Here is a poem Pearse wrote for his mother:
The Mother
I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge
My two strong sons that I have seen go out
To break their strength and die, they and a few,
In bloody protest for a glorious thing,
They shall be spoken of among their people,
The generations shall remember them,
And call them blessed;
But I will speak their names to my own heart
In the long nights;
The little names that were familiar once
Round my dead hearth.
Lord, thou art hard on mothers:
We suffer in their coming and their going;
And tho’ I grudge them not, I weary, weary
Of the long sorrow-And yet I have my joy:
My sons were faithful, and they fought.
Margaret Pearse (Patrick and Willie’s Mother) joined Sinn Féin after the Easter Rising. She was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin Council in the 1921 elections.