Martin McGuinness remembered in Coatbridge

The commemorative dinner-dance formed part of the ‘Margaret Skinnider weekend’, an annual weekend of politics and commemoration organised by the Margaret Skinnider Cumann of Cairde na hÉireann. 

Each year the Dinner-Dance chooses to honour a different Irish patriot, the choice this year of Martin McGuinness was unanimous, particularly given Martin’s proactive support for Cairde na hÉireann in Scotland and his steadfast leadership throughout years of struggle and peacebuilding.

The guest speaker for the occasion was the indefatigable Martina Anderson. Speaking as an ex-POW and former Junior Minister to Martin McGuinness, Martina delivered a powerful tribute to her fallen friend and comrade.

Martina Anderson spoke of “the man around the corner” whom she knew growing up as a child, amidst the Battle of the Bogside and more. Recounting how, “Martin taught us how to resist all that was wrong in the Orange State that we were all living in, that neither wanted nor welcomed us.”

She recalled how Martin personally came to the prisons, throughout the late 1990s, to brief political prisoners on the ongoing peace talks. Noting how “Martin was very honest, very strategic, very clear with us about what was happening in the negotiations. But he left us in no doubt that our struggle was in safe hands. And we knew why he was our Chief Negotiator.”

The former Member of the European Parliament spoke powerfully of Martin’s steadfast commitment to briefing European representatives throughout the Brexit period, even at a time when his health began to fail him. Turning to the broader international scene, she reflected that, “Martin McGuinness would be absolutely outraged as he watched the genocide unfolding in Palestine; he would be appalled.”

She said that anyone who wanted to get a sense of the real Martin McGuinness, beyond the media headlines and commentariat spin, should look no further than Jim McVeigh’s latest publication ‘Our Martin’ (which can be purchased from the Sinn Féin BookShop). As Martina advised, “Read what Bernie McGuinness writes in the foreword about ‘my Martin.’ It is absolutely beautiful.” 

Adding, “If you want to know Martin McGuinness, if you didn’t have the pleasure and honour that we all had to work with him, buy the book and you’ll get to know Martin McGuinness. Martin McGuinness, the IRA Volunteer and freedom fighter. Martin McGuinness, the political prisoner. Martin McGuinness, the peacemaker. Martin McGuinness, the internationalist. And Martin McGuinness, the father, the brother, and the husband. You’ll get to know the man who put us where we are today.” The proceeds from the sales of the book will all go towards the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation.

The evening also saw an excellent contribution from Margaret Skinnider Cumann member, Colleen McCluskey; who reflected on the life of Margaret Skinnider and her fight for Irish freedom. A special presentation was made to Fiachra and Emmett McGuinness, on behalf of Cairde na hÉireann nationally, of a portrait of their father done by the Coatbridge-based artist Jordan McBride. Music for the evening was provided by The Four Provinces and Adelante.

Republicans travelled from Derry, Belfast, Loughinisland, Newry, Crossmaglen, Louth and Tipperary for the weekend’s activity. The following day saw the Annual Margaret Skinnider Commemorative Parade, led by the Coatbridge Republican Flute Band, setting off from Whifflet Park to Skinnider’s commemorative plaque in Coatbridge town centre.

As Martina Anderson concluded the evening before, “The road to Irish unity would not be as clear in our sights if it wasn’t for the work of the great late Martin McGuinness. Who, from his hospital bed sent every single one of us a message, as he said, ‘Finish the job.’ Those were his words and his instructions to all of us. And we know we can’t finish the job without the support and the help of the people - in Coatbridge, across Europe, and across the world.” 

The weekend was testament to the dedication and appetite within the Irish community in Scotland to play their part and to help to build a new and united Ireland. There is no doubt that Martin would be proud to see it.