Diaspora / Irish Abroad

“It carried with it the hopes and dreams of an Irish Republic. It demonstrated that a dedicated few can break the might of the British Empire.

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,

Pat Cullen MP joined us for an in-depth conversation about health and care in a new and united Ireland. We were joined by Irish Unity activist, Dr. Tricia McIvor who hosted an excellent conversation about the incredible opportunity Irish Unity holds for healthcare, doctors, nurses, and patients.

Yet last weekend was one of the most politically significant of my lifetime.  Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held in Belfast. This is a festival of Irish music, dance and culture. The Fleadh is centred around competitions and draws Irish musicians and dancers from across Ireland and internationally. Outside of competitions, there are gigs, impromptu music sessions, and classes.

Later that night, Kneecap headlined the festival. They rap in Irish and English, telling the stories of their generation over hip-hop and rave beats. Their energy is infectious, and their message is uncompromising, opposing the genocide in Gaza, sectarianism and racism. They are proudly Irish Republican and drew the biggest crowd of the weekend. Twenty thousand leaping around, doing untold damage to their knees ...