Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has said there can be no watering down of commitments made in the British and Irish government’s joint legacy framework.
He was speaking after legislation to give effect to the agreement moved to its next stage in Westminster.
“Victims and families have waited far too long for justice for their loved ones,” said the North Belfast MP.
“The legislation must command the confidence of victims and families and be human rights compliant for it to properly deal with legacy of the past.
“This agreement between both governments must not be another false dawn.
“Reports that the legislation, which is already weak in parts, could be watered down further are extremely concerning and will not be accepted.
“Also, there can be no amnesty or protection for British combatants suspected of criminal acts, including murder, during the conflict.
“Alongside victims and families, Sinn Féin will watch closely how this process unfolds and hold the British government to its commitments outlined in the joint framework agreement.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald spoke to students at New York University’s Glucksman Ireland House while in New York. Students in NYU’s Center for Irish and Irish-American Studies gathered for a special session with Uachtarán Shin Féin where she gave an address and answered questions from the students. Her full remarks are below.
“I am delighted to be here in NYU and in particular to be here at Glucksman Ireland House, a place of academic excellence in the study of Irish history, literature, language and culture. A place where so much great research has happened and so many important discussions have taken place over the years about Ireland, our place in the world, what it means to be Irish at home in Ireland and here in the United States.
“Thank you Professor Kevin Kenny for your kind introduction and I want to thank Loretta Glucksman for her support over many years for the cause of peace in Ireland.
“A good education is a powerful thing. Education is the great equaliser. It provides a window to the world and opportunity. It brought me to Trinity College, Dublin where I studied English Literature. I had the privilege of being taught by the late, great Irish poet Brendan Kennelly. Brendan believed that every beginning is a promise. He wrote,
“Though we live in a world that dreams of ending That always seems about to give in Something that will not acknowledge conclusion Insists we forever begin.”
“A great way to look at life and the world.
“Ireland and the United States. Two nations, two peoples fastened by a shared history held by bonds of friendship and bonds of family. We came to these shores fleeing oppression, famine, and in later generations to seek work and opportunity.
“The United States has been a safe haven for generations of Irish people.
“In return, Irish people made an immense contribution to American society across politics, arts, business, and sports.
“The spirit of the Irish to overcome and the American ideal of liberty create a natural bond that has stood the test of time and been so important at key moments in our history.
“Nowhere was this more important than during our search for peace. Almost thirty years ago a generation of courageous peacemakers in Ireland reached for hope and a better future and decisions taken here in this country were key to the peace agreement which followed. The decision by the Clinton Administration to give a visa to Gerry Adams, the decision to appoint Senator George Mitchell as a Special Envoy and the critical contribution which was made over several years in achieving the historic Good Friday Agreement…
This week, while in Boston, I had the opportunity to attend a screening of the documentary, “Gerry Adams: Ballymurphy Man,” directed by Trisha Ziff. The event was hosted by former Congress member and current President of the University of Massachusetts, Marty Meehan.
When introducing the documentary, Mr. Meehan spoke of the role played by the US in securing the Good Friday Agreement and his friendship with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
He acknowledged Representative Richie Neal, Chair of the Friends of Ireland Caucus on Capitol Hill, for his service to the cause of peace, justice and unity in Ireland.
After the screening, Rep. Neal shared his experience of growing up as part of the Springfield Irish, the impact of the 1981 Hunger Strikes and his hopes for a united Ireland.
In his discussion with the director, Trisha Ziff outlined the documentary’s themes and took questions from the audience. It was at that point that Trisha was able to draw all of the strands of the documentary together. She described it as a portrait of Gerry Adams. A portrait crafted from his own words, historic footage, and images of him going about his daily life.
It was his story, told in his words. That is what separates this documentary from all others about Gerry. Free from the usual “gotcha” moments and political talking heads, it provides space for reflection and elucidation. The pacing of the documentary is purposefully slow and contemplative and stands in contrast to the urgency of the archive footage. Here is a leader living through tumultuous times but not bound by them and always looking to the future.
In one striking example, he was released from prison in 1972 at the age of 22 for peace talks with the British Government. He tells how he was flown to London by the RAF with other Irish Republican Leaders to demand a timetable for the British to withdraw from Ireland. In his self-critical assessment, the Republic leadership had a set of demands but not a political strategy to achieve them.
That would appear to be a defining point of his political development that would change the course of history. It is a lesson for others; it is not good enough to believe that you have the right or history on your side. There is more to do than protest and resistance. There is a need for strategy and tactics to win your demands.
This documentary does not glorify violence. It talks of loss and injury, of time served in jail and torture at the hands of the British. It is an impassioned call for dialogue to avoid and end conflict and to reach agreements based on equal rights, democracy and a commitment to peace.
When Gerry Adams first took to Twitter when it was a platform for information and discussion, he quickly gained the largest number of followers of any Irish politician. The reaction of political journalists was to decry this as a plot to humanise Gerry Adams. As the Sinn Féin Director of Publicity, I reminded the commentators that Gerry Adams was indeed human and it was years censorship and the media with some notable examples had sought to dehumanise him.
For the first time, I recognise on the screen the Gerry Adams that I have known and worked with for over 30 years. Well done to Trisha, Marty Glennon, Billy Tranghese and all the others who made this documentary and screening possible.
It deserves a wider audience, not only for those interested in Ireland, our history and politics but for those who struggle for peace, justice and equality.
Today’s inauguration of the new President of Ireland marks a moment of renewal and hope for our entire island. It is an occasion that belongs to every community across this shared home of ours.
Presidential inaugurations are about continuity but also change. They remind us that each generation must redefine what Ireland means – and who it includes. The Presidency, as a unifying symbol, invites us to reflect on the kind of Irish nation we are becoming – confident in our diversity and ambitious for the future. We are on a national journey beyond the old limits of the past.
We also pay tribute to President Michael D. Higgins, whom throughout his public life, has been a passionate political voice for working people, a poet and gifted writer, a renowned academic and a tireless champion of human rights. He has served Ireland with distinction, dignity and heart, promoting all that is good in Ireland – our people, our creativity, our culture, and our democratic values. He understood the struggles faced by the people, and where he saw unfairness, inequality or injustice, he named it — and demanded action.
For those of us in the North, the Presidency has always represented something deeper than a constitutional office. It speaks to an idea of belonging – one that transcends borders and traditions.
Many communities across the North have long looked to Áras an Uachtaráin for a sense of belonging and as a connection point to the Irish nation. Partition has caused division, but today, in a time of peace, we continue to build a new Ireland and a shared future.
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An excerpt from President Catherine Connolly’s speech (Link to full speech below)
“We can and should take real pride in the success of the Good Friday Agreement, knowing that this is recognised far and wide and is a model for peaceful resolution of conflict.
We also know that this journey of peace and reconciliation was the result of meticulous and methodical work over a long period of time, and this work continues to this day.
I look forward to paying my first official visit to the North and meeting with people from all communities and celebrating the rich heritage and traditions of all who live there.
I am particularly conscious of Article 3 of the Constitution, which sets out in detail the firm wish of the Irish people, the Irish nation to have a united Ireland, albeit in the conditions set out very clearly in the Article on consent.
As President, I will foster an inclusive and open dialogue across the island in a manner that highlights and recognises our similarities and respects our differences.
I want to acknowledge our large and growing diaspora. There is hardly a family on this island that does not have a personal experience of migration. On every continent our emigrants have put their ingenuity and hard work at the service of new homelands. Yet they have kept their love of Ireland and its culture deep in their hearts.”
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I have been lucky in my life to have the opportunity to work with dedicated, thoughtful, and driven activists. Men and women who endured hardship, loss, and imprisonment. Experiences that would have broken most people. They continue to work day in and day out to build a new and united Ireland.
I am sure you have met similar people in your life. Those who struggled for change, respect, and justice, or to keep their families afloat and their heads above water. The true heroes in our lives.
When times were tough, a colleague would remind us that we were engaged in “struggle”, and it was called that because it was hard work! Nothing of value ever comes easy. It is the nature of struggle that we face hardships and setbacks which must be overcome. Motivation is maintained by keeping one eye on the present, one on the goal, and remembering to celebrate small victories along the way.
This week, those of us working for unity and the building of a 32-county Irish Republic had reason to celebrate: the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish President).
She was elected with a massive majority over the Irish government candidate. Sinn Féin, along with all of the opposition parties, supported her campaign.
In her inauguration speech, she reiterated the major themes of her campaign that would now be the priorities for her time in office. She sought to define a new Irish Republic of equal citizens that was united, modern, and inclusive, infused with the strength of Irish culture and experience. It was a speech for our times and stood in stark contrast to the “keep things as they are” vision of the Irish government as it lurches from crisis to crisis of its own making.
In a section on Irish Unity, she referenced Article 3 of the Constitution, which sets out the firm wish of the Irish nation to have a united Ireland and is committed to working to that end with the consent of the people north and south. Looking over her shoulder and nodding in agreement was the former leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. Ministers in today’s government sat stony-faced.
The new President has an expansive view of the Irish Nation, acknowledging the role of the diaspora in sharing and celebrating Irish Culture. She recognised her own family members who had travelled home from Canada and the USA.
Irish Culture is going through a renaissance. In Ireland, our language, sports, arts, and music have never been stronger. Connolly previously shared the story of how, as an adult, she learnt Irish, and how it is central to her and the Irish identity. The promotion of the language will be a priority for her presidency.
No doubt President Connolly will face many challenges as she works alongside a government with no vision and opposing priorities and policies. But this week, we celebrate her election as we keep an eye on the bigger picture.
In the words of the new Uachtarán na hÉireann, “I believe that the President should be a unifying presence—a steady hand, yes, but also a catalyst for change reflecting our desire for a Republic that lives up to its name.”
In 2025, Canalway celebrates 40 years of making connections in Northeast Ohio– connections between people and places, connections with community partners, and physical connections that help share the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Incorporated on March 13, 1985 as North Cuyahoga Corridor, Inc., Canalway Partners was founded by a group of community-minded explorers who looked to the past to create a better future for the Cuyahoga River Valley.
With this mission in mind, Canalway Partners has worked for four decades to preserve and promote the history of the Cuyahoga River, the Ohio & Erie Canal, and the City of Cleveland. With the support of numerous community partners, Canalway has improved Cuyahoga County through the creation of historic districts, ongoing community programming like The Towpath Marathon and RiverSweep, and through the completion of the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga County, as well as many other initiatives.
Today, Canalway continues to advocate for the promotion and preservation of history, nature, and recreation through regional community programming that connects people to important places. And through the placemaking efforts for Canal Basin Park, which will soon be transformed from a simple trailhead on the Towpath Trail into an interpretive park that highlights the location’s historic impact on the City of Cleveland and State of Ohio.
Thank you for being part of our journey — and here’s to the next 40 years of connection, collaboration, and discovery.
The Irish American Unity Conference congratulates the Dáil for passing a resolution calling on the Irish Government to plan and prepare for the unification of Ireland. The unopposed motion recognizes that the reunification of Ireland is a national objective and directs the Government to
– establish an all-island representative Citizens’ Assembly or Assemblies, to allow for informed debate;
– establish a Joint Óíreachtas Committee on Irish Unity to enable careful planning;
– produce and publish a plan towards Irish Unity in conjunction with civic society and key stakeholders;
– engage with northern Protestant and Unionist opinion about the future of Ireland; and
– work to secure a date for the referendums on unity provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.
The IAUC, whose founding mission is to promote peaceful unification of the island of Ireland, now calls on the Irish Government to act promptly on the resolution’s directives as set forth above. The election of Catherine Connelly as President confirms that the rising demand for constitutional change can no longer be denied. Twenty-seven years after the promise of the Good Friday Agreement, there must be no more delay in advancing the mandate for a referendum on Irish unity. It is especially important that the Irish Government demand that the British Government cooperate in establishing a date and conditions for the referendum. We also call on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to publish criteria for holding the referendum while adhering to the GFA requirement that the sovereign governments exercise “rigorous impartiality” with respect to the referendum.
Outgoing president Michael D Higgins bid a bittersweet farewell to the Áras on Monday
Catherine Connolly has been inaugurated as Ireland‘s 10th president on Wednesday as she said she will ensure “all voices are represented, heard and valued”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former presidents Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, and outgoing president Micheal D Higgins, who received a warm round of applause as he arrived in the hall for the ceremony, were among those attending the ceremony in St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle.
The independent TD from Galway, who is a former psychologist and barrister, repeated in Irish the Declaration of Office – which was read to her by Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell.
Ms Connolly then signed the declaration and was officially declared president.
A 21-gun salute was fired from Collins Barracks as Ms Connolly was handed the Seal of Office.
In her first address as president, Ms Connolly said said she will ensure “all voices are represented, heard and valued,” and that she stood in front of those gathered “humbly and proudly as the 10th president of this beautiful country”.
Ms Connolly said, “The people have spoken and have given their president a powerful mandate to articulate their vision for a new republic, a republic worthy of its name where everyone is valued and diversity is cherished, where sustainable solutions are urgently implemented, and where a home is a fundamental human right.
“The change that led to this joyful day began with the small group of elected representatives and volunteers facing what appeared to be insurmountable challenges.
“We were led to believe that it was too great a leap, that our ideas were too far out, too left – at odds with the prevailing narrative.
“In shared conversations all over the country, however, it became evident that the dominant narrative did not reflect or represent people’s values and concerns.
” …
President Catherine Connolly, flanked by Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Michael Martin, Leo Varadker, Bertie Ahern …
“It means the world to me to have been nominated! You don’t have to fill in every category or be from Scotland to vote — and you can skip straight to Question 10 to vote for me! Every click counts to please ask any friends and family who might also be willing. Nominations close on Sunday 16th November at midnight.” – Ryan Young
