By John Myers
The annual Coachella Music Festival held in the Southern California desert showcases both well-established musicians as well as emerging groups. Hundreds of thousands attend the three-day music festival. Last month, the Irish rap group Kneecap, was one of the headliners.
The Belfast group sings in both the Irish and the English language. Their antics and language have proven to be most controversial in certain establishment quarters.
This year, in the middle of their set, the band announced to the huge audience that “Margaret Thatcher is still dead,” the sarcastic announcement was greeted with much enthusiasm. Performing in the Sunshine State, the band used KC and the Sunshine Band’s 1980s hit, “Give it up” to perform an anti-Margret Thatcher hymn with the refrain something like, “Maggie’s in a box” with raucous audience participation.
The band received international recognition, with great acclaim given to their 2024 documentary film, “Kneecap.” It was the first film in the Irish language to premier at Sundance Film Festival. Kneecap’s genre of music is not my first choice, but I plan on checking out their music more as well as their film. I admire their willingness to speak clearly and without fear.
Kneecap has been “cancelled” by both the left and right. Kneecaps willingness to call out despotic leaders is refreshing. The lads have a U.S. tour this coming October 2025.
Sold Out
Over One Million dollars was raised at the 33rd Annual Ireland Funds Gala, held this past March in Washington, D.C. The Ireland Fund was cofounded by former Ambassador Dan Rooney (Steelers) and Heinz CEO Anthony J. O’Reilly (Ketchup) in 1976, with the goals of Peace, Culture and Charity.
In 1987, The Ireland Fund and The American Irish Foundation (founded by Presidents de Valera and John F. Kennedy) merged to form The American Ireland Funds. The Funds have raised over 650 million dollars since that time.
The Ireland Funds are active in twelve countries. This year’s gala honored Congressmen David Joyce (R-OH.) , pictured, and Brendan Boyle (D-PA.) as well as Washington Commanders (NFL) Coach Dan Quinn, who led Washington to a 12-5 record in his first year as coach (the most wins for the former Washington Redskins in over thirty years).
Irelands Taoiseach (P.M.) Micheal Martin welcomed the sold-out crowd of over 750 supporters and thanked Rep. Joyce and Rep. Boyle for their work on behalf of Ireland. Quite a few Senators and House members were present, with media types, corporate sponsors and various Irish American organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH & LAOH).
I darkened my tie with a black sharpie so I could pretend to fit in with this “Black Tie” crowd. “Honorary Chairs of the event were H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States; H.E. Lord Mandelson, British Ambassador to the United States; and Richard Cushnie, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau. In 2024, The Ireland Funds provided grants totaling more than $28.5 million to over 330 Irish non-profits.” (https://www.Irelandfunds.org).
Remember to ask your Congressional representatives and Senators to join the bi-partisan Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus. By joining this group, your member of Congress will be kept better informed about matters of importance to Ireland, the peace process and trade matters. BTW, did you know Ireland is the sixth largest investor in The United States, impressive for a small country of five million people.
10 O’Downing Street
My mother was from Missouri, so I will wait to be shown if any meaningful corner has been turned, doubtful. However, I will welcome progress at any level. This past March 17th, 2025, the first EVER St. Patrick’s Day Reception took place at 10 Dowing Street, hosted by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. That’s sayin’ something, as number 10 has been used by British P.M.’s for over three hundred years (1735).
Starmer greeted his guests by sharing that this was a “chance to celebrate the incredible ties that bind us all together.” While saying some good things, The P.M. could easily start by using his huge majority in Parliament to repeal the Legacy Act implemented under the previous Conservative Government, as promised. The Act was a British establishment’s attempt to whitewash the role of the U.K. government colluding with Loyalist Paramilitaries to assassinate Irish Nationalist activists during the Troubles.
Ireland’s Future
I recently visited Philadelphia, calling to mind our Nation’s Founders, who gathered there to take the radical step to reject despotic leadership and bold or perhaps trusting in Providence enough to create a fledgling Democracy, our Democracy; my sense of debt to them was renewed as we drove past Independence Hall.
I travelled to Philly’s beautiful and historic Union League Club, founded at the time of the U.S. Civil War, and dedicated to the preservation of the American Union. An appropriate venue to listen to a newer group: “Ireland’s Future” lay out a vision for a new and united Ireland.
I shared a table with the guest speaker, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and several leaders of the group. We were welcomed by Mr. Nial Murphy, Secretary of Ireland’s Future and also an attorney for the Relatives for Justice Group.
Varadkar gave a very good speech, well received in a group of Americans from the AOH, Irish Unity Conference, Irish Northern Aid, American Brexit Committee, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Philadelphia business community. The leadership of the group has representatives from both the historic Loyalist and Nationalist communities.
While a very good and hope filled speech, it left me wishing Mr. Varadkar had prioritized this issue when he was the head of the Dublin Government, but Hazard Yet Forward. Taking from the group’s publications: Ireland’s Future promotes the shared responsibility of delivering constitutional change within the framework of the Good Friday Agreement. We support respectful political and civic dialogue that embraces everyone on our shared island. We campaign for a new and united Ireland that will be successful and sustainable.
Check out their website https://IrelandsFuture.com, you will be hearing more from them and their mission as we move towards the aspiration of a United Ireland and the practical steps needed to implement.
