Hope and Opportunity

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil le Catherine Connolly agus a foireann. Maith sibh as feachtas Uachtaránachta dearfach, forásach agus trócaireach a chur chun cinn.

I want to extend my congratulations to Catherine Connolly and her team. Well done for fighting a positive, progressive, compassionate and cohesive Presidential campaign. Well done also to the many Sinn Féin activists from all parts of the island and all the others who enthusiastically handed out leaflets, erected posters, canvassed thousands of doors and worked hard to get the vote out last Friday.

Lots of words have been used to described the outcome. Stunning. Triumph. Historic. And many more. For me the two most important are hope and opportunity.

Catherine Connolly was an exceptional candidate. The success of her campaign cannot be separated from her authenticity and her connectiveness with the electorate and with those, many of them first timers, who campaigned for her. That campaign and the emergence of a centre left alliance of parties backing Catherine has provided hope that the century long dominance of the two conservative parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, can be ended.

 The Vinyl Gift

I love listening to music. There is nothing as uplifting as a good live session. And the music stays in your head forever after,  to be dipped into when the need or notion moves you. For example, Martin Hayes magical concert last week in Belfast’s Grand Opera House. Its still jigging in my brain. Martin was well served by guitarist Conal O’Kane and bouzouki and concertina driver Brian Donnellan. They were joined for the encore sets by Donál O’Connor and Neil Martin, two of my favourite musicans, who opened the event along with singer Mary Dillon who was outstanding.  A

ll  in all a wonderful evening. Martin Hayes  playing was amazing, elegent, draoíluíleacht, exquisive, sublime and betwitching. He transported us to a higher state of being. And all of us are the better for it. 

But it isn’t possible to get to live events all the time. So apart from the radio I have a fine collection of recorded  music. They include cassette tapes, CDs and LPs. Some are over fifty years old.

Seamus Drumm gave me an ipod of over a thousand tunes years ago. I’m still working my way through  them. Go raibh maith agat Seamie

Supporting Palestine

October is the month Palestinian farmers in the west Bank harvest their olive groves. But this year many such groves sit untended because Israeli settlers are attacking Palestinian villages and farms and the Israeli forces have erected barriers to prevent Palestinians getting to their land.

In the Gaza Strip the ceasefire is being repeatedly broken as Israel continues to pound Palestinian families and communities. At the same time the medical situation in Gaza remains critical with Israel blocking much need humanitarian and medical aid entering the Palestinian territory. The World Health Organisation last week reported that only 10 percent of the requested medical supplies have arrived. Medicines like Paracetamol that we take for granted and that can be bought freely here are not available to help those in pain.

October is the month Palestinian farmers in the west Bank harvest their olive groves. But this year many such groves sit untended because Israeli settlers are attacking Palestinian villages and farms and the Israeli forces have erected barriers to prevent Palestinians getting to their land.

In the Gaza Strip the ceasefire is being repeatedly broken as Israel continues to pound Palestinian families and communities. At the same time the medical situation in Gaza remains critical with Israel blocking much need humanitarian and medical aid entering the Palestinian territory. The World Health Organisation last week reported tha

Adh Mór Catherine

The Presidential election is on Friday. Many of you reading this column or listening to it on social media platforms, will not have a vote. But some of you will. So, I am asking you to cast your first preference for Catherine Connolly and to encourage everyone else to do the same. 

The last week has seen a significant increase in negative campaigning against Catherine by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and by the establishment media.

Why has Catherine Connolly, who most of the media ignored during her time as a TD, become the bête noire of the establishment? Is it because she has unashamedly challenged Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on their appalling record in government – on health, on homelessness, on the cost-of-living crisis, and on carers? Is it because of her fluency in the Irish language? Is it because she has defended neutrality and condemned genocide against the Palestinian people? Is it because of her support for a United Ireland.

Hiding the Truth

Last Sunday was the anniversary of the imposition on 19 October 1988 of the broadcasting ban by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  Prior to that    censorship in one form or another had operated in the North and in Britain, and also in the 26 counties. The rational for this had long been the desire of the two governments to deny citizens their right to information. In this way it was easier to promote the establishment’s narrative.

In Ireland the British media strategy had its roots in Britain’s colonial experience. But it was especially influenced by the writings in the late 1960s of General Frank Kitson who believed that all governmental structures; the judiciary, the law, the police and the media, must be part of a co-ordinated strategy to defeat ‘the enemy’ while suppressing citizens and their rights.

Legacy Bill deeply flawed

Presented by the Irish and British governments as the resolution to the long running legacy issue the ‘Northern Ireland Troubles Bill’ is anything but that. Once again the British government, with the support of the Irish government, is introducing a legal structure that provides the British state with the means to deny the truth to families.

Under draft legislation, drawn from the two governments Framework Agreement, the British Secretary of State will have the power to withhold information from families and inquests; from the information retrieval body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (CRIR), and from the new Legacy Commission. In addition, agencies like MI5 will have the power to vet all reports. The British Secretary of State will also be able to make various regulations and guidance, including the power to make an award to cover legal representation/expenses etc. for participation in inquisitorial proceedings.

Comhghairdeas Naomh Eoin

Well done to Naomh Eoin's Senior hurlers. Crowned Antrim Champions on Sunday after six semi-final defeats in seven years and after a dogged battle with Loughgiel the Johnnies are hurling Kings of the county. Well done to all the hurlers, the Management and support staff, the Club Committee and every one in Saint Johns. 

Palestine Must Be Free

 A population greater than that of Belfast has been moving back to the northern Gaza strip following the ceasefire announcement last week. Awaiting them is utter destruction. The infrastructure of Gaza has been levelled by the Israeli state’s genocide. The return of the Gazans. is based on hope. Hope that humanitarian aid will arrive. Hope that the indiscriminate bombing by Israel and the deliberate slaughter of desperate, starving people at aid stations has stopped. Hope that the big powers – which have allowed this holocaust to go on for two years will ensure that this is a meaningful end to the war.

Liam Mellows and the Irish Revolution – ‘a Very Important Book’

I was very pleased to speak at the launch in Áras Uí Chonghaile last week of the latest edition of Desmond Greaves’ wonderful book, ‘Liam Mellows. And the Irish Revolution.’ Dr. Ruan O’Donnell, a Senior Lecturer in History, was instrumental in updating the book. Present also was Anthony and Muriel Coughlan. Anthony is Desmond Greaves literary executor. He is owed a debt of gratitude for his lifelong work on many issues, but especially the work of collating Desmond’s writings. 

Oireachtas na Samhna

Oireachtas na Samhna is coming to Belfast. The oldest Irish language festival in the country which celebrates an Ghaeilge, sean-nós music, dance, literature, recitation and even a rap music category - a sign of the times! Thousands of Gaeilgeoirí - families, children, young people and some older folk too, will gather in Belfast where the Oireachtas is being held for the first time since 1997. 

There will be lots of events, including competitions, book launches, conversations, live broadcasts and debates - all completely as Gaeilge. 

Senator Chris Andrews shares his experience of being onboard the Global Sumad Flotilla and being illegal detained by Israeli authorities 

Where now for Micheál Martin?

The decision by Fianna Fáil Presidential candidate Jim Gavin to withdraw from the contest means the race is now between Independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys.

But what of the man who asked Gavin to stand? Suffice to say I am not a supporter of Micheál Martin. There is nothing personal in this. I have seen at close quarters how he works and I am not impressed. How Fianna Fáil responds to this debacle which its leader landed it in will determine how it faces into the future. Because the process by which Jim Gavin became the Fianna Fail candidate says more about Fianna Fáil and how Micheál Martin runs it than anything else. No leader can ignore or disregard the views of grassroots or other activists. Diktat may keep a leader in place if he has the guile and resilience to survive. But for what purpose?  Especially for a party which is proclaims itself to be republican. Micheál’s instinct will be to brazen it out. But he can only do that if the party lets him. And that risks the party completely losing its sense of itself.

Mr. Martins negative approach to the Good Friday Agreement and the Unity Referendum it provides for amounts to a refusal to fulfil his obligations under the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Constitution and Fianna Fáil’s own aims and objectives.

The Orange and the Green. 

Another friend of mine died last week. An Orangeman, Ian Milne. He was also an undertaker. I met Ian in 2003 in Dublin Castle when he spoke at The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. I thought it was a very good initiative by him in an effort to find a resolution of the Drumcree stand-off caused when the Portadown Orangemen refused to accept a ruling by the Parades Commission preventing them from marching down Garvaghy Road. 

After the event we bumped into each other in the Men’s Room. In those days Men’s Rooms were the main venue for the many first informal off the record words between me and some unionists. I told him that Sinn Féin would talk to the Orange if that would be helpful.  Ian was very friendly although he was at pains to tell me that he wouldn’t reveal at that time that he talked to me. 

Eventually we did do the meeting with some Portadown Orangemen. It was in Conway Mill and while it didn’t resolve the issues it was a very worthwhile and informative discussion. It’s good to talk. And to listen. Ian was also in dialogue with Seán Murray for over twenty years as part of their efforts to advance reconciliation. 

A President for All

All three candidates in the Presidential election have made commitments in support of Irish Unity. Clear evidence of the growing importance of Irish Unity to the electorate.

Last Saturday Catherine Connolly was invited to address a Sinn Fein conference in Dublin. There was a palpable buzz of anticipation in Dublin City University as over 500 party activists gathered to discuss ‘Building For Unity.’  It was an opportunity to judge her style, hear at first hand her vision for the future of our island, and to assess her ability to challenge the establishment parties and their candidates.

Connolly has been an outspoken critic of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and an advocate for workers, communities, and equality. She supports the need for the Irish government to plan for the future unity referendums. A call Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and their candidates refuse to make.

Real sanctions needed now

Last Friday I spoke on my podcast to Chris Andrews a Sinn Fein Senator who is on the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea which, as a I write this, is trying to bring much needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The flotilla, which has already been bombed by Israeli drones, sails under the constant threat of Israeli assault. The 50 boats involved left the coast of Crete on Sunday. Another flotilla of ten vessels also left Sicily on Sunday. When I spoke to Chris we discussed the danger and challenges facing the flotilla. He urged the Irish government and Tánaiste Simon Harris to do more in support of the flotilla's mission and the Palestinian people.

Last week at the United Nations most state representatives refused to sit while Israeli PM Netanyahu ranted against those who opposed his genocidal policies.  Every day Israeli forces are continuing to assault the people of Gaza City and scores of Palestinians are being killed, and others, mostly children, are dying from forced starvation.

Using your Loaf!

This week I want to highlight the virtues of the humble Belfast Bap and the man who created it. During the week I breakfasted on boiled eggs served on a sliced  bap plastered with butter and sprinkled with black pepper. An bhlasta. Really scrumptious. Try it. You won’t be disappointed. 

This particular bap came ready sliced. I prefer to slice my bap myself so that the slices are thick and well able to carry the butter and the boiled  egg. This is real finger food.  The ready sliced baps can be a wee bit thin. Still tasty but a bit messy. So slice your own. 

An short update with Chris Andrews, who is on the Flotilla 120 nautical miles away from Gaza.

The flotilla is carrying food & humanitarian aid in an attempt to break the blockade on Gaza.

In this Special episode I talk with Senator Chris Andrew who is currently onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The flotilla is carrying food & humanitarian aid in an attempt to break the blockade on Gaza. 

It should be allowed safe passage. 

Catherine Connolly – A President for all of Ireland

In less than five weeks’ time the next Uachtarán na hÉireann will be elected by the people of the 26 counties. Election day is 24 October. That the people of the North and of the diaspora will be denied a vote is a disgraceful consequence of the efforts over recent years by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael (FFFG) to prevent the extension of the presidential franchise. Both parties are frightened by the prospect of people, who have never voted for either party, voting in Presidential elections.  They want to retain the status quo not change it. This partitionist approach also influences the resistance of Micheál Martin and others to the growing potential for a referendum vote in favour of Irish Unity.

Last weekend’s decision by the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle to endorse Catherine Connolly’s campaign is, to quote Mary Lou, a ‘game changer.’ Sinn Féin has many capable, articulate leaders who would have been great candidates. But the party chose to join with others as part of a left alternative. This was a courageous decision which gives those who can vote in the election a clear choice between the conservative politics of FFFG or a progressive and positive alternative. 

Cearta –Marching for Rights

Under the banner of CEARTA – meaning RIGHTS - tens of thousands took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday to demand equality for the Irish language. In scenes reminiscent of An Dream Dearg in Belfast three years ago, Irish speakers and activists from across the island, wearing their distinctive red with a white circle, marched from Parnell Square to the gates of Leinster House.

The protest was an exuberant and joyful celebration of our language and culture and of the demand that the Irish government implement policy changes that will protect and enhance the lives of Irish speakers and of the Gaeltacht communities. There was live music from Ispíní na hÉireann, Niamh Ní Dhubhgháin and Breandán Ó Beaglaoich and others. Niamh Ní Dhubhgháin performed a song about the needs of young people, especially those living in Gaeltacht areas who are finding it impossible to buy or rent or build a home. 

Go raibh maith agat Bruce Morrison

In two weeks’ time there will be a celebration in New York to mark 30 years of the Morrison Visa Programme. The event will remember the introduction of the visa legislation that provided an estimated 45,000 Irish people with a legal pathway into the USA in the early 1990s.

The Morrison Visa was the brainchild of former US Congressman Bruce Morrison who introduced a program that allocated visas to nationals who up to that point were underrepresented in US Immigration. Bruce however, is also known for his hard work in support of the peace process. He was part of a group of Irish American business, trade union and political leaders – the Connolly House Group – who played a pivotal role in creating the conditions for the 1994 IRA cessation. Bruce and his colleagues continued to be active for years afterward and Bruce remains so today. 

The role of the Assembly and Executive

If we were to listen to and accept at face value those in the media who criticise the Assembly and the Executive as ineffective, and who question their value or use, we would mothball both institutions and sack the MLAs.

Yes, there is justifiable frustration at the failure of the institutions to address concerns on health and education and delivery on Casement Park, Saving Lough Neagh, building the A5, delivering for Gaeilgeoirí, tackling poverty and hate crimes and legacy issues alongside problems in our public services. But that is not the fault of the institutions. It lies with the political parties and others who are blocking progress.

Yes, there are problems but it is wrong to tar all our politicians with the one brush and it would also be wrong to hand over responsibility for these issues to unelected civil servants and to the British government. That would be irresponsible and stupid.

Does anyone really want another British Secretary of State running this place? There have been 25 British Secretaries of State, mostly mediocre and forgettable, including some who contributed enormously to the conflict.

We also need to appreciate that the London government is adding to the difficulties faced by an Executive which doesn’t have the financial resources to tackle some of the issues of greatest concern. All of this is an argument for the end of Westminster rule. We need to say that loudly and often. London has never ruled us in our best interests. We who call this place home are the only ones entitled or fit to do that. That includes our unionist neighbours and their representatives. 

The reality is that the Northern statelet was not and is not a normal society.  Partition was a unionist and British imposed response to the demand by the people of this island to independence and sovereignty. The unionist regime at Stormont immediately and successfully deepened political and sectarian discrimination and the inequalities that were part and parcel of colonisation. The Northern state was a place where non-unionists were to have no say in its running and where the institutions of the state were closed to us. 

After 78 years of ‘Northern Ireland’ the Good Friday Agreement began a process of fundamentally changing that system. It is a process. The Agreement was and is a unique arrangement to facilitate conflicting political visions. Republicans decided to enter Stormont – a place that represented all that was wrong with the Orange State – because we believed that a space was needed in which we and unionism could moderate our differences. Other venues were considered but we believed that unionists would be comfortable within the Stormont setting. And we opted for that. 

However, did anyone seriously think that generations and centuries of colonisation and prejudice could be overturned quickly? That the deep rooted antipathy to all things progressive or rights based, never mind nationalist or republican, would disappear overnight or even in the short term?  Only the most naive or stupid among us would have thought the British State would acknowledge its wrong doing and embrace equality and democracy?  No dear readers.  It was always going to be a battle a day- a process that demanded and demands perseverance, doggedness, generosity, resolve and strategic focus. Especially strategic focus.

Cearta Anios. 

In May 2022, 20,000 activists took to the streets of Béal Feirste to demand Irish language rights. This An Dream Dearg mass mobilisation of both young and old was highly symbolic, positive, cheerful and confident. Four days after this protest, the British government took the first step to introduce Irish-language legislation, paving the way for historic social change in the Northern state. This legislation provided for the repeal of the centuries old  penal-law ban on the use of I