26 November 2009 Edition

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Fógraí bháis: Seamus Gildernew

Seamus Gildernew

Seamus Gildernew

The untimely passing has occurred on 23 October after a short illness of Tyrone native Seamus Gildernew. A resident of New York for twenty three years, Seamus served in the campaign for Ireland’s freedom from the early days of Civil Rights to more recent times as a member of Clan-na-Gael. Following Requiem Mass and a republican farewell by his friends and comrades from Clan-na-Gael, Seamus made the final journey home for burial in Eglish. Addressing the large attendance, his niece, Northern Assembly Minister Michelle Gildernew introduced Monaghan Councillor and former Clan member Sean Conlon to give the oration.
“Is mor an brod ata orm a bheith anseo ag caint libh inniu ag uaigh Seamus Gildernew-Poblachtanach Brodiul- a fuair bas I Meiricea agus anois tagtha abhaile le bheith curtha imeasc a chlann Féin agus a mhuintir fein.  
 On behalf of the Republican Movement I extend sympathy to Lily and Shane and the wider Gildernew family on the death of Seamus for whom we gather here today to bid farewell and also we take the opportunity to extend condolences to the Gaffney family of Middletown and Lily on her double loss with the passing in the last week of her brother Pat.
Over the past number of days, family, friends and comrades spanning two continents, have gathered or have taken time in solemn reflection, to remember the life of Seamus Gildernew. Many of us will recall his jovial personality and genial friendship but most noble of all was that characteristic that shaped his life from young adulthood, being a proud Irish republican. Born in the Brantry, Co. Tyrone to James and Annie Gildernew, he was educated locally and served his apprenticeship as a machine operator.
In ordinary times his priorities and concerns would have been of the usual societal norms of providing for family but at the time of his marriage to Lily in 1970 times were any thing but normal. If the early influences of his life and that of his family and similarly many brave men and women from East Tyrone were on a library shelf I’d say it would be listed under the Book of Caledon, Chapter June, Verse 1968.
Bending the knee to Unionist apartheidism and accepting the status of second class citizen was not on the agenda for Seamus Gildernew and for many of his time. Resentment turned to resistance and at this Seamus played his part. Through time his actions provoked the ire and sinister attention of the authorities, and in the early eighties for reasons of personal safety, Lily, Seamus and son Shane moved a few miles across the border to the parish of Tyholland where they enjoyed support and solidarity across the north Monaghan area. Their time there was to be limited, for while on bail and the imminent prospect of a lengthy term of imprisonment, Seamus found himself in the position of political exile for a second time. With the offer of support from abroad the Gildernews were on the move again.
The experience of forced immigration would have been a challenge to most, but from among his new community in New York and despite the 3000 miles of separation, Seamus Gildernew picked up where he left off, channelling any sense of detachment into renewed commitment as generations of activists like Carrickmore native and Clan-na-Gael member Joe McGarrity had done a century before. Soon after their arrival in 1986 I had the good fortune to meet Seamus and was struck by the depth of his convictions. His demeanour ensured anyone that met him that they were in the presence of a sound individual, one whose word and steer was genuine and could be relied upon. His work rate of raising support and awareness of the campaigns and politics at home was a positive influence and ensured our shared commitment towards realising a united Ireland never waivered despite the distance.
Over the past days I was heartened to hear of the manner in which Seamus’s life was commemorated in New York by his comrades in Clan-na-Gael to which he gave leadership as a member of the National Executive, recognition of this service, and the sacrifices over many years of struggle. Sacrifices borne by all the family.
In sharing in their grief our hearts go out to Lily, Shane and his wife Chrissy who is expecting their first born next month, a source of comfort to Seamus through his final days and an occasion of joy that he would help overcome his untimely passing.  
To the wider circle I appeal that in his absence we must continue resolute in the spirit of unconquerable faith towards Irish unity that was his life; that of his mother Annie, and so many that have passed on that torch of freedom re-ignited in Caledon over 40 years ago.
Dia len a anam dilis

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