CURRENT ISSUE:  OCTOBER 2023

Another Donnybrook in Ireland, and Here too!

Donnybrook
by John Myers

The Supremes
Two strong Irish names will be on the ballot for The Ohio Supreme Court this November, John P. O’Donnell and Sharon Kennedy.   Kennedy hails from Butler County and attended Northwest High School and the University of Cincinnati.   O’Donnell is from Cuyahoga County and attended St. Joseph High School and Miami University.  O’Donnell ‘s Irish roots are from County Mayo whose family tree includes Ohioans Fr. Jim O’Donnell and Sr. Ignatia Gavin, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Whitehouse 2020   “Northeast Pennsylvania will be written on my heart. But Ireland will be written on my soul,” said Joe Biden on one of his visits to the Emerald Isle.  The Veep’s great grandfather was born in Ballina, County Mayo (The sister city to Scranton, Pa) and his Ma, Katie Finnegan’s family is from County Louth.   While the 2020 race will be a true “Donnybrook” with the outcome likely razor close, we do know that come January, either Trump or Biden will be living in a house designed and built by  an Irishman, James Hoban, a native of Dublin.  Erin Go Braugh.

Brexit Update  
While it seems like Donkey’s years since the Brits voted to leave the European Union (June 2016) the matter is still not “over & done.”   The next few months will be very perilous for everyone living on the Island of Ireland.  The UK did formally leave the EU late last year.  However, the UK stayed in the EU Trade Zone while working out the details of the divorce.  

The New Year’s eve, 2020 deadline is just around the corner.  Negotiations between the EU and Westminster have been going poorly and if there is a “No Deal” exit, it will result in the return of a “Hard Border” between the Six Counties and The Republic of Ireland.  A hard border would be contrary to the current Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by Boris and detrimental to the historic Good Friday Accords. 

Much is at stake.  A strong majority of the citizens of the Six Counties voted to remain in the EU, London is dragging them out.  Boris will have to face the music though; it will be the UK’s top priority to have a direct Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.   House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that “If the U.K. violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement passing the Congress.” 

Dail Eireann  
While the spring election resulted in Sinn Fein garnering the most votes, the new government formed was achieved with a return of the coalition between Fianna Fail & Fine Gael, but they added the Green party to reach a majority.   FF leader Micheal Martin, from County Cork, is the new Taoiseach who will hold the position until December 15th, 2022, at which time FG will select a leader from their party to serve as Taoiseach.

One Ireland
 
The Ohio “One Island One Ireland “ Committee is inviting all supporters of a free and united Ireland to gather on October 3rd, 2020 (11 AM) in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland for “An American Cruise for a United Ireland,” with support from the Cleveland Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.  Bring your sweetest car or decorate your vehicle.  

This is NOT a parade, as all traffic laws must be followed, but an old fashioned cruise that will allow one to show your support for A United Ireland in a COVID safe manner.  This is a crucial time and the Brexit plans offer the best chance for progress towards a United Ireland in a generation.  
For further details, check “Irish Cleveland” on Facebook, or send an email to [email protected].

Click on icons below to share articles to social.

Recent issues

E-Bulletin Signup

Name(Required)
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive news and event emails from: iIrish. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.
New to Cleveland Ad

Explore other topics