A Letter from Ireland
a Chara,
I’m writing from New York, and this weekend I will be travelling to Pittsburgh for their annual Hunger Strike Commemoration.
In New York, I spoke at a wreath-laying ceremony at the graveside of John J. Breslin to mark the 150th Anniversary of the return of the Catalpa Rescue to New York.
Breslin was central to the greatest prison break in history when Clan na Gael in America freed six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle in Western Australia. Historian Marcus Howard brilliantly told this epic tale of bravery in the face of adversity at the New York Irish Centre.
The night before, I attended a lecture in Brooklyn by Dr. Ruan O’Donnell, who traced the twists and turns of the Fenian movement’s development in the US and in Ireland.
The impact of the US Fenians on Ireland cannot be overstated and was central to the Easter Rising. They also had a global impact by developing the first military submarine and the Thompson submachine gun, and their actions led to the Confederation of the States, forming modern-day Canada. But that, as they would say, is a story for another day.
The Irish in America and Canada are rightly proud of their impact on Irish History. From Wolfe Tone arriving in Philadelphia through to today, the right to national self-determination has been the common thread. History has taken many detours and faced many setbacks, with differences over personalities and tactics, but the right to national self-determination has been constant.
We remember the past to learn from it and be inspired by those who selflessly gave themselves to the cause of Irish Freedom. In Ireland, it appears that some have forgotten their past and desperately cling to a status quo that failed the people and the island.
This week, it was reported that Taoiseach Micheal Martin told a party meeting that he “goes bananas” when his party colleagues raise Irish Unity referendums.
Many Fianna Fáil members can trace their heritage back to the revolutionary generations of Fenians and the Rising. They attend commemorations and sing the songs of struggle, yet their leader refuses to advocate, plan or prepare for unity.
Sinn Féin has led the call for unity referendums as agreed and endorsed in the Good Friday Agreement. But these objectives can only be delivered by a wider alliance of domestic and international parties, governments and civic groups. All have a role in securing and building a new and united Ireland. The only nationalist or Republican party outside of this consensus is Fianna Fáil under the leadership of Micheal Martin.
It is no surprise that the British Government hide behind the Irish Government objections to unity referendums.
At the beginning of August, well-renowned and respected academic Prof. Brendan O’Leary was asked to identify the biggest obstacle to Irish Unity and, without missing a beat, said, “Micheal Martin.”
This week in New York and Pittsburgh, we remember the past and plan for the future.
The legacy of the Fenians and the hunger strikers has outlasted governments and changed Ireland. We will continue to secure Irish Unity referendums, so have another banana, Taoiseach Martin.
Have a great weekend. I hope to see you along the road.
Have a great weekend,
