New Lodge tribute to fallen heroes of Irish freedom
11 April 2013
THE brilliant turn-out of republicans at the Easter 1916 Commemoration in north Belfast’s New Lodge Road area was testament to the hard work of local republicans who ensured that those from the area who died in the conflict would have a fitting tribute. Accompanied by bands from Scotland (whose presence is always welcomed), the parade threaded its way through the narrow streets with a confident stride. Pride of place, however, goes to the O’Neill/Allsopp Republican Flute Band, which has carried out great work in the area to recruit local youth to the band. With over 50 members it is clear their work is reaping rewards. The New Lodge parade finishes at the magnificent memorial garden at Donore Court, itself a visible mark of respect for those who died and whose names are engraved in the marble for all to witness the human cost of conflict paid by the people of this small district. Fermanagh republican and ex-POW Seán Lynch MLA delivered the oration and paid tribute to the people of the area for their courage and fortitude in face of the campaign of killing carried out by the crown forces and their allies in the unionist death squads.
Cullyhanna Easter Rising commemoration
11 April 2013
ON EASTER Sunday afternoon, republicans gathered in Cullyhanna for the annual Easter Rising commemoration to remember all those who have given their lives for Irish freedom. Sinn Féin Councillor Colman Burns chaired the event and members of the Michael McVerry Sinn Féin Cumann, Cullyhanna, read the 1916 Proclamation and the South Armagh Roll of Honour, and laid wreaths to commemorate those who gave their lives for Irish freedom. The Michael McVerry Memorial Cup was also presented to members of Cullyhanna Seconds and Dorsey Emmets who had battled it out on the football pitch the day before and who couldn’t be separated even after extra time. Speaker and Belfast MP Paul Maskey began by remembering those named on the Cullyhanna Memorial along with all those buried in nearby Cullyhanna Graveyard who contributed to Ireland's freedom struggle. “On this, the 97th anniversary of the Easter Rising, we remember with pride all those who sacrificed for Irish freedom. There are many, many people buried in this graveyard who played their part in this country’s struggle and today we keep them in our thoughts.” Paul spoke of the republican dream of a new, united Ireland where all citizens are treated as equals and where the border is a thing of the past. “We know from recent census figures that there are more children of primary school age from a nationalist background that a unionist one. Orange dominance in the North is no more. However, unionists will always have a place in a new Ireland. “Sinn Féin believes that the time is now right to demand that a Border Poll – a component of the Good Friday Agreement – be held and to advance this campaign. I am aware that your neighbours in Crossmaglen and Shelagh will be holding their own People’s Border Poll on 25 May this year. I hope that many people from Cullyhanna also get involved in this campaign. “It’s time to let the people have their say. “Republicans are about nation building. We are about laying the foundations for a New Republic, a real republic with social justice and equality at its core. Let us go from here today even more determined to build that republic.”
Border poll is a threat to no one, Mary Lou McDonald tells Belfast 1916 commemoration
11 April 2013
THE BITTERLY COLD DAY did not deter Belfast republicans from making the main Belfast Easter Rising Commemoration parade on Sunday 31 March one of the biggest seen on the Falls Road in years. In the week prior to Easter Sunday, days that saw sub-zero temperatures and winds that would skin you alive as well as the snow that refused to melt, republicans were apprehensive. But we needn’t have worried as with true Belfast republican doggedness thousands came onto the streets to both march and support the National Graves Association parade as they lined the road along the route to Milltown Cemetery. Parents with babies, teenagers in their finery, and the older people – who remembered the days when they had to literally fight the RUC and unionist governments to assert their right to honour Ireland’s dead – all defied the weather to make their own statement of defiance. And defiance it was, given the anti-republican onslaught we’ve faced recent months. According to DUP leader Peter Robinson, republicans are in chaos and on the defensive. Easter Sunday told its own story. In her address at the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald TD told the crowd that Sinn Féin’s call for a Border poll is a logical step in the campaign to end partition by peaceful mean and to build a new democracy. She said a Border poll is a threat to no one. She went on to say: “The Peace Process and the republican peace strategy have helped to transform our country. They have opened up new possibilities and unlocked the huge potential of our island and its people. “They are the essential starting point for the next phase of struggle – the move towards a united Ireland, a new Republic. “We fully recognise that the majority within the unionist community do not share this aim, that many fear such a future and believe their identity will be subsumed and they will become a discriminated-against minority on this island. Words alone from us will not convince them otherwise. That said, we must always reaffirm our opposition to sectarianism in all its forms, our commitment to equality and parity of esteem and our respect for people’s chosen identity whether Irish or British. “We must above all seek to convince by our actions and Sinn Féin has been involved for some considerable time now in a long-term process of dialogue and engagement with people from the unionist community. That must and will continue. “Because we believe that a united Ireland is essential, and because we recognise that the agreement of a significant section of unionists is required, we are calling for a Border poll. This is a provision of the Good Friday Agreement which was concluded in this city 15 years ago. “Such a poll is a threat to no one. It is a logical step and by making this call we are demonstrating our firm resolve to end partition peacefully and to build a new democracy.”
Ex-prisoners swell numbers at Ardoyne Easter Rising commemoration
11 April 2013
THE large turn-out of ex-POWs swelled the ranks of those taking part in the annual Easter Tuesday commemoration in Ardoyne this year. Dressed in their green ex-prisoners’ jackets, their presence lifted the district and added to what was again one of the largest crowds in recent years. Clearly, a lot of hard work had been done by the organising committee. And the huge numbers of family groups watching by the roadside as the parade made its way through the district, across into the Bone area and back to the Memorial Garden added to the atmosphere. Former POW and Derry MLA Raymond McCartney was the main speaker and in his address he commended the many families of republican martyrs. He praised their courage, strength and dignity they have shown over the years in carrying the heavy sacrifice of dealing with tragedy.
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Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures