2 November 2020 marks the centenary of the execution of a brave young Irishman who refused to serve any longer in the British Army in protest at British Government terror in Ireland. It was soldiers of the Connaught Rangers who made that protest in India. Free article

“The only message I have for anybody is ‘Hold on and stick to the Republic.’” – Kevin Barry Free article

New research on the use of plastic bullets shows the premeditated decision to attack 1984 rally where Sean Downes died as a result of a plastic bullet fired at point blank range. Free article

Mary Doyle took part in the 1980 Hunger Strike as a POW in Armagh Jail. She looks back to the traumatic years of the 1980 and 1981 Hunger Strikes. Free article

Today marks the centenary of the death of Terence MacSwiney on hunger strike in Brixton Prison.

In normal times, we would gather today to commemorate and honour the legacy of a Republican icon, but these are not normal times. 

However, we can all still reflect today on MacSwiney's sacrifice and his contribution to the struggle for Irish freedom.

The mark that Terence MacSwiney left... Free article

The story of Terence MacSwiney’s hunger strike has been told many times, in the pages of An Phoblacht and elsewhere. That it still carries such power and resonates to this day shows what an epic struggle it was. One Irish political prisoner was alone in the heart of the British Empire and fighting that Empire with only his determination and his body as weapons. His death and the national and international response to it proved his own words that “not all the armies of all the Empires of earth can crush the spirit of one true man. And that one man will prevail.” Free article

In 1961 labhair fear contúirteach, conspóideach leis an Transport Workers’ Union of America. Éireannaigh, nó a sliocht, go leor den dream a bhí ag éisteacht leis. Ciarraíoch dárbh ainm Mike Quill a chur an fear conspóideach in aithne don slua. Terence MacSwiney eile a bhí sa bhfear conspóideach, contúirteach a dúirt Quill. Chaithfí tacaíocht a thabhairt dhó agus dá chuid oibre a dúirt an Ciarraíoch. Rinne sé féin agus a cheardchumann amhlaidh. B’é Martin Luther King an fear conspóideach. Ach, cérbh é an Suibhneach seo a raibh an oiread sin cumhachta ag a ainm gurbh fhiú é a tharraingt anuas dhá scór bliain tar éis a bháis? Free article

Today the Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil (the self-proclaimed Republican Party) sought to lay out his vision for the future. It was a vague and confused presentation. 

He paid tribute to the Good Friday Agreement, recognised the importance of all-Ireland co-operation, and recommitted to invest in cross-border infrastructure and the need for inclusive and informed dialogue.... Free article

Sinn Féin's economy spokesperson Caoimhe Archibald had said Invest NI must be 'transformed' to rebuild a prosperous economy. Free article

Writing in his latest blog, Junior Minister Declan Kearney has said time is not on our side in relation to Covid19 and that big decisions will have to be made to stop the spread and save lives. Free article