Top Issue 1-2024

Francis Hughes – Died on 12 May 1981 on hunger strike in the H-Blocks

11 May 2023

The death of Francis Hughes at the age of 25 on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh saw not the end of a legend but a new chapter in what was, by any measure, the story of one of the most fearless and tenacious guerrilla fighters of the 20th Century and of the Irish Republican Army. Free article

A journey through the Counter-Revolution

4 May 2023

On Saturday 29 April, eve of the centenary of the 1923 IRA ceasefire, Sinn Féin in Ennis, County Clare, unveiled a refurbished plaque to three Volunteers executed in the Free State barracks 100 years ago, some of the final Civil War executions. Speaking at the event Mícheál Mac Donncha looked back at the Counter-Revolution and how its centenary has been marked. This article is based on that address. Free article

Centenary of the death of Liam Lynch

9 April 2023

Liam Lynch died around 8.45pm on the evening of 10 April 1923, 100 years ago. His death signalled the end of the war and moves were made soon after to conclude that phase of the IRA’s campaign. Free article

History in the Making

8 April 2023

Pádraic Wilson was the Officer Commanding Republican Prisoners in the H-Blocks from 1996 to 1999. Here he writes of the key events within the prisons in the months before and after the Good Friday Agreement. Free article

Remembering Good Friday 1998

7 April 2023

Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams takes us inside the last hours of the talks that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement. Free article

Centenary of the Drumboe Martyrs

12 March 2023

November 1922 saw a general sweep by Free Staters through Donegal in an effort to end Republican opposition in the county. This sweep was successful in that it captured the vast bulk of Volunteers operating in the county or forced them to go on the run in other counties. Free article

Ballyseedy and Countess Bridge – 100 years on

2 March 2023

By the beginning of March 1923 the Civil War had taken a terrible toll across Ireland and worse was yet to come, especially in County Kerry. The war was intense there, with fierce fighting and many casualties between the strongly anti-Treaty Kerry IRA and the Free State forces that had invaded by sea at Fenit and captured Tralee the previous August. Free article

New book on Galway’s Roll of Honour

15 February 2023

Eoin Ó Broin TD will launch a new book produced by Galway Sinn Féin on the county’s republican Roll of Honour. The launch will take place in Club Áras na nGael, Galway City, on Monday, February 20 next at 7pm. Free article

Brendan Behan, a rebel and a writer

9 February 2023

Brendan Behan was born of republican parents Stephen Behan and Kathleen Kearney on 9 February 1923, in Holles Street Hospital, Dublin. The Civil War was at its height and Stephen was an IRA prisoner in Kilmainham Jail. Brendan's association with Irish republicanism, though chequered, was to last his lifetime. Free article

Funeral of Óglach Henry ‘Hensey’ McKenna

7 February 2023

Sinn Féin figures from across Ireland, including former Party President Gerry Adams and former Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, joined hundreds of republicans from across the island to honour and remember Óglach Henry ‘Hensey’ McKenna. Free article

Liverpool-Irish patriot remembered 100 years on

6 February 2023

One hundred years ago, the Liverpool-born IRA Volunteer, George King was fatally wounded by Free State forces. On his centenary weekend, Irish republicans from across Ireland and Britain gathered in Liverpool to commemorate his life and sacrifice. Free article

Óglach John Joe Donnelly remembered

2 February 2023

Lifelong republican Óglach John Joe Donnelly died on 15 January. Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly gave the funeral oration at Aughamullan and Brocagh in Tyrone. Free article

A giant among activists Tommy Devereux 1933-2022

26 January 2023

Generations of republicans from across Ireland gathered in December for the funeral of veteran republican Tommy Devereux. The graveside oration was delivered by Martin Ferris. Free article

He died on Christmas Day - a forgotten Republican remembered

24 December 2022

Joseph MacDonagh, dedicated Irish Republican and Sinn Féin TD died on Christmas Day 100 years ago after six years of tireless work for Ireland. Free article

Christmas 1922 - the Republic in ruins

21 December 2022

By Christmas of 1922 it was clear that the Free State Government had all but won the war. They had executed 21 republican prisoners in jails and internment camps. Thousands of prisoners were held in both partition states. In the countryside and the few towns where they still held out, the IRA’s forces were dwindling and in retreat. Free article

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