Belfast Sinn Féin Mayor's Cork visit makes link with Mac Curtáin and MacSwiney

Councillor Tom Hartley and the grand-daughter of Tomás Mac Curtain, Fionnula Mac Curtáin (left) and Mai Mac Curtáin daughter in law of Tomás Mac Curtain

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Tom Hartley has described his recent visit to Cork as a humbling experience. The Mayor was invited by Cork Lord Mayor Brian Bermingham and attended a private function in the Council Chamber of City Hall on 24 October, eve of the anniversary of the death on hunger strike in 1920 of Cork Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney.
Speaking at the event Tom Hartley said:
“To have the opportunity to visit this chamber is one of the highlights of my term as Lord Mayor to date. As a young lad growing up in Belfast the story of Tomás Mac Curtáin and Terence MacSwiney were inspirational to me and many other young Republicans. To stand here in this very chamber that those republican icons once presided over is a deep personal honour. To have the grand-daughter of Tomás Mac Curtáin here tonight has marked this event as the highlight of my term in office to date.
“The relationship between the cities of Cork and Belfast is a work in progress. We share so many facets of society and so many opportunities exist for us to build a lasting and meaningful partnership between our respective cities. I hope that this visit will mark a beginning in this partnership”

(left to right) Henry Cremin, Sinn Féin candidate for South City West, John Stanton, Sinn Féin candidate for Blarney,  Fionnuala MacCurtáin, Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin candidate for North City Central, Mai MacCurtain, SF Councillor Jonathan O’Brien, North City West, Sinn Féin Councillor Annette Spillane, North City East, Ken Ahern, Sinn Féin candidate for South City East