Features

Cogadh sa Cholóim - Ionsaí ar chearta daonna

Much fuss has been made of the return of the Colombia 3 with calls by some reactionary commentators and political opportunists to extradite them back to Colombia. Anyone who knows anything about that country can tell you that it is a human rights nightmare with dubious legal process.

Déan Baghcatt ar Nestlé

In today's world of mass globalisation, multinational companies seem to have a firm grip in marketing and advertising campaigns. People are no longer seen as citizens but as consumers to be exploited in the market economy. However, even as consumers, we can make a stand against the likes of Shell, Coca-cola, McDonalds and Nestlé.

Creggan Spirit of Freedom Weekend

As part of Sinn Féin's Céad Bliain celebrations the Eamonn Lafferty Cumann in conjunction with the Creggan Volunteers Memorial Committee have organised a weekend of events to celebrate Irish republicanism.

Moving ceremony remembers Rossa

Organised by the Dublin Republican Commemoration Committee as part of Sinn Féin's Ceád Bliain celebrations, the gathering marked the 90th anniversary of the funeral of the man who perhaps best represented the unbroken spirit of Fenianism.

Photo: Dublin republicans march to the grave of O'Dovovan Rossa

Achieving the sovereignty of the people

Click to read an edited version of the address by Martina Anderson in Glasnevin at the graveside of Diarmuid O'Donovan Rossa

Photo: Martina Anderson

Commemorative booklet available

The Republican Commemor-ation Committee has published a commemorative booklet to mark the 90th anniversary of O'Donovan Rossa's funeral. As well as articles on Rossa by both James Connolly and Pádraig Mac Piarais it includes the text of the famous oration by Mac Piarais.

Photo: Commemorative booklet of O'Donovan Rossa

Irish republicanism: Can it be militant without being militaristic?

Militant Irish republicanism has often been expressed through solely military means, but in the aftermath of Óglaigh na hÉireann's recent declaration to formally end its armed campaign and dump arms what does a tradition of militarism contribute to the modern republican agenda? Are there aspects of that past that are of benefit to the present? What of the fear in republican circles that the militancy of the republican struggle may well be lost along with the militarism? What of the fears of others that militant republicanism is inevitably expressed in military terms? Does participation in the peace-building discourse conceal or dilute the 'real' politic of republicanism? Or do the dynamics of an anti-colonial conflict and post-war politics share strategic commonalties?

Photo: Poster for Coiste Summer School

Fifth Column

The republican funny news column

Photo: Apprentice Boys

Hare Coursing debate: For and Against

Hare coursing is a very popular pastime in many parts of rural Ireland. In recent years it has come in for increasing criticism and calls have been raised for the practice to be outlawed. This week An Phoblacht carries arguments from both sides of the divide. An Phoblacht columnist MATT TREACY says hare coursing should be left alone and suggests that the demand for it to be banned is but the thin end of a wedge which would also see horse racing and greyhound racing eventually banned. But AIDEEN YOURELL of Irish Council Against Blood Sports, says hare coursing is a cruel and unnecessary practice, satisfying a sadistic lust and demands that it be banned now.

Remembering the Past - 44 Parnell Square

Dublin's Parnell Square is one of the country's most historic squares. It was here, in the Round Room of the Rotunda, site of the present Ambassador Theatre, that Volunteers met in armed convention in 1783.

Photo: Éamonn Mac Thomáis - former editor of An Phoblacht

High Noon at Croke Park

I met a taxi driver last Sunday who was talking about some chap with an Irish surname who had a scored a goal for a soccer team from Lancashire. Had I seen it? No. Wouldn't cross the road. I was thinking of Brian Lohan and Davy Fitz; agony chiselled on their faces. And of John Gardiner and Seán Óg; happy but equally drained, and gracious. And of Paul Caffrey and Mickey Harte embracing, not for the cameras, but in mutual respect. Each will spend the next number of days plotting each other's downfall and heartbreak, but you may be certain that they won't be bickering in the press or having to excuse the loutish behaviour of their players.

Photo: Dubs fans come out in force to support their team

BA strike chaos could happen here

Hundreds of flights were cancelled, 70,000 passengers left stranded, 10,000 travellers with lost luggage and British Airways facing losses of £30 million after 1,000 of its workers staged a one-day unofficial strike last week. The workers, members of the TGWU, took the sudden industrial action after Gate Gourmet, the company who supplies meals on BA planes summarily sacked 600 TGWU workers.

Photo: David Bonderman - Ryanair chairperson owns company that sacked 600

Who wins from below cost selling?

Death of Volunteer Francie Caraher

South Armagh Brigade, Óglaigh na hÉireann was dealt a severe blow when news broke of the death of their comrade and friend Volunteer Francie Caraher on 17 July 2005.

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