iBish Oemociu January/February 1999-^" ""^Connolly Association: campaigning for a united and independent Ireland ISSN 0021-1125 60p
THE IRISH Robert Hamill: Joseph Priestley: DEMOCRAT Sixty years
END THE TRAV stepping up the honouring an WQ.L AMriHIfH. U OOKl , of the Irish IIO. appeal for justice English radical afnafWr Pnwt in OaU Democrat Page 3 Page 4 Bulon Pages 6-7 UNIONIST STALLING MUST END NOW The Irish Democrat's northern correspondent, Bobbie Heatley, argues that the British government must stand up to unionism's persistent attempts to rewrite key aspects of the Good Friday agreement GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT Assembly and north-south bodies, been told to whom the bill will be very protracted agonising, depart- Another reason was that the must be enacted by both parliaments. referred. If we ignore business trips to ments over which the executive would Trimbleites purported to have become Democrat reporters By February 1999 the Northern supplicate investment-seeking Amer- preside were also hammered out, but cost conscious. While unfazed at the t is eight months since the signing Ireland Executive is supposed to end ican tycoons, nothing more has been not the executive itsdf. Not even the construction of an inflated 108-mem- of the Good Friday deal and the its 'shadow' period and acquire formal forthcoming. It would not be too 'shadow' executive has been set up. ber assembly, they were appalled at the whole political process has powers. much of an exaggeration to say that There are two reasons for this particu- 'extravagance' of a ten-seat executive. become bogged down, to the exas- With regard to these commitments, the public here appears to be some- lar hold-up: The Trimble unionists, They wanted a more 'economical' peration of the public. Paragraph only the unionists' demand for a what traumatised by this spectacle, fearing the No Men at their back, and smaller one which, fortuitously, would 8 of Strand II in the document devolved six-county assembly has taking place, as it has, against a back- lacking either the guts or the will to have given unionists a majority. clearlI y specified 31 October 1998 for been met. It has been junketed (the ground of backward-looking unionists take them on, will not respect Sinn Clearly, they remain intent on re- the identification of subject areas for whole of its 108 members and their squabbling among themselves, and Fein's democratic electoral mandate writing the 'Agreement' all over the cross-border co-operation. According hangers-on) at EU headquarters to see with everybody else, up at Stormont which, under the de Hondt system, place. Ably supported by the Tories at to Charles E Mullaney, professor of how a multi-national bureaucracy on home ground. entitles that party to two seats in the Westminster, they attempted to justify legal studies, Western Connecticut operates while the public has not yet However, on 18 December, after Executive as per the 'Agreement'. this obstruction by arguing that the State University, "...any first-year law Good Friday deal requires immediate student knows that parties must be decommissioning by the IRA. As was held to that date." It was missed and explained in the November/December Trimble's unionists were to blame. issue of the Irish Democrat, Tony Blair, It was not until 18 December that a despite his other efforts to move minimalist list (from the nationalist/ things on, must share some of the republican point of view) of areas for blame - as it was his letter to the cross-border co-operation was ham- unionists during the final stages of the mered out after Tony Blair was said to talks which has given unionists the have expressed his fury at unionist opportunity to resurrect the old Tory intransigence and at being misled. stalling device of decommissioning. None of the areas identified had a He did this, of course, in order to direct bearing on the republican/ induce them to sign up to the Mitchell nationalist aspiration to have Irish Agreement in the first place. Even so, national rights given concrete realisa- in the event only a slender majority of tion in the North. EU objectives for an unionists gave it their approval. embryonic all-island economy were Professor Mullaney agrees with the enhanced, but only to a limited extent overwhelming majority of analysts and only after further pressure from who have been explaining what the Downing Street on the Trimbleites. Good Friday deal has to say about The six areas which eventually decommissioning. He says: "...the emerged were a slight improvement First Minister believes that decom- on the farcical ones originally sug- missioning must take place by 22 May gested by the unionists. They had 2000 and that it should start now" wanted such things as a cross-border (this is what Blair encouraged the body to determine where the border unionists to think). "He is incorrect. actually lay in Carlingford Lough! The Agreement provides: All partici- This approach was not only derisory, it pants accordingly reaffirm their com- was contemptuous. mitment to total disarmament of all A slippage from October to paramilitary organisations. They also December may not seem a very big confirm their intention to continue to issue given the length of the struggle It is 27 years since the above march from Cricklewood to September (see page 3) the Ministry of Defence continues work constructively and in good faith which has gone on before, but, as pro- Downing Street, London, in protest at the death of 13 civil to resist moves by the current government to issue an with the Independent Commission fessor Mullaney correctly points out, rights demonstrators, shot by British paratroopers in apology. and to use any influence they might have to achieve the decommissioning "other important timetables, though Derry City on 30 January 1972. Another of the Derry Join us on the this year's Bloody Sunday of all paramilitary arms within two not exact, are linked to the 31 October demonstrators was to die from ii\|uries sustained soon 'Demonstration for Justice' in London on Saturday 30 years following endorsement in refer- obligation." By late 1998 or early 1999, after the march. The British Army still maintains that it January 1999. Assemble 12 noon, Victoria Embankment endums north and south of the legislation providing for the formal attacked the Derry marchers In response to IRA gunfire. (Temple Tube). March proceeds past Westminister and Agreement and in the context pf the establishment and transfer of powers Those who attended the civil rights demonstration know Downing Street via Trafalgar Square and ends with a rally overall settlement", continued on page 4 to new institutions, including the this to be a lie, and although a new inquiry will open next at Friends' Meeting House, Euston Road at 3.30 ppi. Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Page 3 News
the full implementation of the Good Ceallaigh reminded delegates that the IRISH Appeal for Friday agreement and the need to six counties remained an undemocrat- McNamee Founde Oemociud 1939 Volume 54, No. 1 c Looking beyond explain it to all sections of democratic ic, illegitimate and failed political enti- justice opinion in Britain, monitor imple- ty. The document itself was a testa- mentation and expose attempts to ment to that, he insisted. conviction HAMILL INQUIRY Good Friday derail or subvert it. Delegates also Despite the drawbacks and imper- Enda Finlay agreed that the organisation should CA ANNUAL CONFERENCE fections from a nationalist/republican quashed TIME TO MOVE ON seek the broadest possible unity standpoint, constitutional changes Speaking at a recent public meeting Democrat reporter MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE The recent plea by Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist among those in Britain in favour of brought about by the agreement organised by the Connolly Democrat reporter Party for unionists to change their attitude towards the issue of Delegates attending the annual con- the agreement and to win support for which diminished British sovereignty Association, the Britain and Ireland ference of the Connolly Association the national democratic perspective. had been put inio place - a major dif- Danny MacNamee's 16-year ordeal decommissioning or face the consequences of provoking a collapse Human Rights Centre and the Labour last November gave their unanimous Motions opposing the emergency ference to the previous Sunningdale finally ended on 17 December 1998 of the peace process is one which Trimble and other Ulster union- Committee on Ireland, solicitor, backing to a motion from the organi- legislation introduced in the wake of agreement. Politically, the fact that with the quashing of his conviction for Rosemary Nelson recalled the ists would do well to heed. sation's executive committee setting the Omagh bombing and calling for republicans will be part of the legisla- conspiracy to cause explosions in con- appalling murder of 25-year-old father out its assessment of the Good Friday the speedy release of all Irish political ture and administration of the six nection with the IRA's 1982 Hyde Continued unionist stalling over the setting up of the Northern of two, Robert Hamill on 8 May 1997 agreement and outlining campaigning prisoners also won unanimously back- counties was a another key difference, Park bomb attack. Ireland Assembly executive and cross-border bodies has resulted following injuries received during an priorities for the forthcoming year. ing, as did calls to establish a trade he said. attack on him by a gang of around 30 However, friends and supporters in an increasingly dangerous stalemate which must be broken. In moving the executive resolution, union network. Appeals for British "The task now is to advance loyalists in the centre of Portadown on expressed considerable anger at the Connolly Association general secre- government to welcome Irish unity, nationalist entitlements within the Despite progress over the areas to be covered by the north-south 27 April 1997. begrudging comments of the three tary Enda Finlay said that the agree- and for nationalists and republicans in framework of the Good Friday docu- Court of Appeal judges. bodies and the number of assembly departments there is no sign A particularly disturbing feature of Campaigning: Wane Hamffl (left), sister of Robert, and soHcttor Rosemary Nelson ment represented a compromise Scotland and Wales to recognise the ment, and then reassess progress Despite compelling evidence of that the unionists are preparing to move towards implementing the attack on Robert Hamill and his (right) appeal for justice at a recent public meeting In London between opposing political forces folly of simply substituting Brussels' towards the ultimate objective serious irregularities by the Crown companion, Gregory Girvan, who sur- these key areas of the agreement. The question is not really within the six counties and between hegemony for Westminster rule, also (unity, - ed.) and the way forward in prosecution team at the time of ihe vived the assault, was that it took place "unrelenting in their search for the four RUC officers. To add insult to whether the IRA gives up some arms - it's clear from the wording the British and Irish governments. received overwhelming support. that direction." original trial the judges ruled that in full view of four police officers in an culprits." injury the same four officers have sub- The organisation's support for the In the morning delegates were although the conviction was unsafe of the agreement that this isn't required prior to the setting up of RUC Land Rover. The officers, some However the stated intention of the sequently applied for compensation Quest speaker Dalttin 6 CeaHalgh agreement was entirely consistent addressed by Gerry Gribben from the The following were elected to serve this did not mean that he Mr. the executive - but whether Trimble's unionists are prepared to of whom were friends of some mem- RUC has not materialised. The day for trauma and have taken sick leave. with the organisation's approach since Granville stressed that while the Good Northern Ireland Women's Coalition on the CA national executive: McNamee was innocent of the charges bers of the loyalist mob responsible for after Robert died six men were arrest- The Hamill family have filed pri- accept that republicans must play a full role in the forging of a new the beginning of the peace process, he Friday agreement held significant and the Dublin-based trade unionist Stella Bond (London) brought against him. Robert's death, did nothing, despite ed, five of them were released shortly vate lawsuits against members of the accommodation based on equality and respect. Significant num- explained. "We support the agreement potential for ending past injustices and writer Daltun O Ceallaigh. Michael Crowley (London) Welcoming the outcome of the their clear view of the attack. afterwards without charges. The sixth loyalist murder gang and the RUC. because it seeks to embody respect and and for securing a lasting peace, it was Speaking about the evolution of the Jim Duggan (London) appeal, Connolly Association general bers obviously still believe they should continue to rule the roost. Initially, the RUC claimed that it has still not faced prosecution and equality, something which the nation- unlikely to lead, in itself, to an end of Women's Coalition and its key role in Enda Finlay (London) secretary Enda Finlay condemned the had been a "clash between two rival prosecutors claim there is not enough To meet the financial burden, the Robert Of course, Trimble has problems in his own back yard, with the alist community in the six counties the root cause of the conflict - the ille- the talks process and in securing the David Granville (Sheffield & SY) judges' comments as "a deliberate factions" and that "police moved in to evidence to hold the suspects. Hamill Justice Fund was launched on 'No-men' contuing to snap around his ankles. But this can no had been denied since partition." gal and unjustifiable partition of final agreement, Gerry Gribben Peter Mulligan (Northampton) attempt to disguise the fact that separate the groups." This claim was In November 1998, Robert's sister, December IS, 1997. Donations to: The However, it was right for the CA to Ireland. Despite this, he insisted, the explained that the party had come into Pat O'Donohoe (London) Danny was stitched up". longer be used as a veto on progress, and both governments must soundly disproved by witness reports Diane presented the Secretary of State, Robert Hamill Justice Fund c/o Offices maintain its opposition to the British political climate engendered by the being because exclusion had become Peadar O'Tuathail (Birmingham) Once again, British justice had make this abundantly clear. If the agreement collapses, we can (and later admitted to be wrong by the Mo Mowlam, with a 20,000-signature of Rosemary Nelson, 8 William Street, government-backed unionist veto, Irish peace process and the agreement an issue for many communities, Eamon Quaill (Glasgow) failed Irish people, he insisted. RUC), all stating the police never petition calling on the British govern- Lurgan, Co. Armagh BT66 6JA. Letters expect a return to the violence of the past, something the over- which continued to deny the people of had presented the organisation with a including women, whose views are Jim Redmond (London) "More importantly, Danny's case moved from their Land Rover. ment to establish an Independent demanding action should be addressed to whelming majority do not want. Ireland as a whole the right to deter- golden opportunity to influence the very frequently ignored by the North's Alex Reid (London) has highlighted the whole area of fin- Following Robert's death, the RUC Public Inquiry into her brother's Dr. Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State, mine their future. debate in Britain in a progressive deeply patriarchal society. Sally Richardson (London) gerprint evidence, which needs to be Meanwhile, no one should be hoodwinked by the handing over declared that its officers would be death and for the suspension of the Stormont Castle, Belfast BT4 3FT. Speaking at the start of the confer- direction. Delivering a detailed analysis of the Moya St Leger (London) looked into as a matter of urgency." of a small number of weapons by the Loyalist Volunteer Force into ence, Connolly Association president Conference unanimously support- Good Friday agreement and its impli- Willie Wallis (Glasgow) Gary Whitby (Scunthorpe). thinking that it has turned over a new leaf. The ploy was little and Irish Democrat editor David ed the executive's call to campaign for cations for Irish unity, Daltun O ^Second-generation Irishman more than a publicity stunt aimed at stepping up pressure on New Irish in Britain Michael O'Brien could soon be cele- the ease of accessibility of their leader- republicans and of hastening the release of LVF prisoners. project to train young organisers and brating the overturning of yet another parliamentary group launched Ladtin tribute ship to the Taoiseach and his minis- improve trade union recruitment. The New Inquiry miscarriage of justice early in 1999. As the recent upsurge in sectarian attacks against nationalists in ters, and at agreements that go beyond TUC's New Unionism initiative has O'Brien and co-accused Ellis pointed out that Britain is Ireland's the six counties has made sickeningly clear, neither the LVF nor IRISH IN BRITAIN LABOUR HISTORY the immediate wage and salary earner. taken its inspiration from methods Sherwood and Darren Hall were biggest export market. There were five For others there is astonishment at the pioneered by US and Australian trade progresses released on bail last November after their particularly vicious brand of sectarian violence has gone. A Democrat reporter to six million Irish descendants in the Democrat reporter culture of support for sympathy action unions. Would it not be more fruitful serving 11 years for the killing of recent string of murder attempts and bombings have been claimed Representatives of the Connolly UK and "we are proud of the contri- A new book about Jim Larkin, one of in the refusal to pass strike pickets. to look at Ireland, at the contribution despite delay Cardiff shopkeeper Philip Saunders. Association and the Irish Democrat bution Irish people have made to civic by groups calling themselves the Orange Volunteers or the Red the creators of the modern Irish labour Are trade unionists in Britain, of Connolly and Larkin, where their The three men were convicted on were among those who gatherered at and social life in Britain", he said. BLOODY SUNDAY INQUIRY Hand Defenders. It is widely known that the attacks are the movement, was launched in Dublin at faced with the continuing haemor- concern with the well being of all the the strength of a confession by Hall the House of Commons at the begin- However, Mr Barrington drew Democrat reporters the end of November by the Irish rhage of membership, to be compared people coincided with the national which he later retracted. responsibility of hardline elements associated with the LVF and ning of November lor the launch of a attention to the disproportionate Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and US trade with the passing influence of the interest? January 1999 marks the first anniver- The case of the young men, who other loyalist paramilitary groups. new cross-party Irish in Britain parlia- number of homeless Irish in this union leader John Sweeney, president 'yeomen of England' following the sary of the announcement of a new have always protested their innocence, mentary group. country suggesting that those with of the AFL-CIO (the equivalent of the Great Revolution? Charlie Cunningham is the president of inquiry into the events of Bloody was referred to the Court of Appeal by Speaking at the launch event, John mental health problems in this group British TUC). Among those attempting to tackle the Ixmdon Craft branch of MSF and a Sunday 1972. The most recent state- the Criminal Cases Review McDonnell, the Labour MP behind were over represented. The Irish com- The book, edited by Donal Nevin, these problems is Frances O'Grady at longstanding member of the Connolly ment by the Saville inquiry is that Commission just before Christmas. EURO FANS COME CLEAN the initiative, explained that the aim munity, he added, still has significant is a worthy tribute to Larkin who was the British TUC who is involved in a Association. open hearings will not now commence Evidence unearthed by a BBC docu- Although revelations about massive levels of fraud, corruption and of the new group was to ensure that problems in civic society which have John McDonnell, MP a hero of both the Irish and American until September 1999, owing to the mentary revealed that several key trial to be solved. itiismanagement within the unelected European Commission legislation addresses such areas as labour movements. (See revic p 9) amount of evidence and witness state- witnesses had lied. have emerged recently, this did not stop the bankers, coupon clip- employment, housing, social care and Geroid 0 Meachair of the cerns of the Irish in Britain to be The event, which took place at ments that have been taken. education as well as promoting Irish Federation of Irish Societies, also wel- heard inside parliament. "For too long Liberty Hall, was largely organised by Regretably, Lord Saville, who will NEWS IN BRIEF pers and other denizens of European financial and industrial cap- culture. The group would also aim to comed the new group and hoped that have the Irish in Britain either been the Irish-American Labour Coalition chair the inquiry, has agreed to grant Emergency law concerns ital whooping it up with the political leaders of the new European serve the needs of the Irish in Britain it would address the parliamentary taken for granted or viewed with deep and Ireland's largest union, SIPTU. In immunity to soldiers testifying before Civil liberty organisations in Britain and encourage and promote debate neglect of the Irish community in suspicion by British parliamentarians order over the launch of the Euro. In all the euphoria a number of addition to speeches from guest the inquiry."Without such an under- and the six counties have expressed within and outside parliament on Britain which had created a grave his- of all political parties. Hopefully, this key players helpfully dropped their guard, confirming the real sig- speaker John Sweeney and the Irish taking any witness would be able to deep concern at government proposals issues affecting the Irish community, torical deficit. new initiative and progress towards a Taoiseach, a former member of the exercise a privilege against self- announced before Christmas to adopt nificance of the latest phase in the march towards a federal he told supporters. Commenting on the new initiative, settlement in the North will help to Workers Union of Ireland and a for- incrimination," he said. existing draconian emergency legisla- European superstate. Speaking, at the House of Connolly Association general secre- ensure that it is not several more mer trade union official, the launch Relatives of those killed on Bloody tion used to combat the political vio- Commons launch, Ireland's Ambas- tary Enda Finlay stressed that there decades before important issues facing One of the clearest signals came from the German Foreign included a number of tributes to Sunday have greeted Lord Saville's lence in the six counties and to apply sador to Britain, Ted Barrington, was a clear need for the voice and con- the Irish in Britain and deemed to be Larkin in both word and song. announcement with disappointment it, permanently, throughout the UK. Minister Gunther Verheugen. Interviewed by the BBC Mr. suitable or 'safe' for debate in the and anger, believing that no soldier Commeniing on the proposals the Verheugen said that, while "normally, a single currency is the final Westminster parliament." Charlie Cunningham adds will be prosecuted on the basis of any Committee on the Administration of step in a process of political integration, this time the single cur- In Berresford Place, Dublin, under the new evidence that comes to light dur- Justice's legal officer, Paul Mageean, rency is the not the final step, but the beginning." Others were teish temociuc $£ Donations to the Connolly railway line by a supporting stan- ing the Inquiry. criticised the government's failure to equally candid. Wim Duisenberg, president of the European Association and the Irish Democrat chion, amid the swirl of passing traffic, Despite the postponement of open move away from emergency law type 4 November 1998 to 5 January 1999 stands the recently erected (19%) stat- hearings until September 1999 the measures. Central Bank, indicated that the countries participating in the For a united and independent Ireland ue of James Connolly, whereas Inquiry team is understood to have "We have consistently maintained Euro had already given up major powers over the control of their Published continuously since 1939, the Irish Democrat is the bi-monthly C. Dunne £200; J. Doyle £5; J. Downey £5; K. Keable £10; Larkin's statue, erected in 1979, stands made significant progress: that emergency counter-terrorist mea- journal of the Connolly Association which campaigns for a united and national economies. R.E Bowen £32; D. Ferrer £23 in O'Connell Street. * Over 60,000 pages of text and 2,500 sures have both been unnecessary and independent Ireland and the rights of the Irish in Britain. While applauding those in Ireland trying to point out the folly (in memory of Paddy Bond); R.M. £2; The question may be asked, why of photographs have been received along counterproductive," said Mr. F. Jennings £15; J. Logan £5 (in the two great champions and organis- with 19 videotapes and 22 audio tapes; Mageean. of joining a European super state, here in Britain we must ensure Annual Subscription Rates (six issues) memory of Paddy Bond); C.C. £12 ers of the most needy workers, Larkin ~k A Peer Review Panel of internation- The experience in Northern ally recognised forensic scientists has that the campaign for national sovereignty does not become the £5.50 Britain I enclose a cheque B. Murphy £9; G. Findlay £5 should be commemorated 20 years Ireland had shown that such powers been appointed; province of the political right. £10.00 Solidarity subscription (payable to "Connolly J. Saunders £15; C. Cunningham £10 before Connolly? The answer is that were unable to prevent violence, he £8.00 Europe (airmail) Publications Ltd")/postal J. Clarke £10; S. Mathews £10 by the 1970s the folk memory of ~k Tracing witnesses and taking state- insisted. £11.00 USA/Canada (airmail) order for £ , A. Barlow £5; T. Mathews; £15 Connolly was passing while Larkin, ments: solicitors have taken over four Stressing that the Good Friday IRISII Oeniociuc £12.00 Australia (airmail) C. Haswell £40; M. Barry £10 who died in 1947, was still fresh in hundred statements from those pre- agreement had clearly envisaged a R. Doyle £10; M. Caffell £10 (in people's minds. sent on the day; break with emergency powers, he Bi-monthly Newspaper of the Connolly Association Name.... memory of Paddy Bond); C. Puppo For the London trade unionist, *The inquiry has received 3000 reminded people that the United Address however, there are greater questions to Editorial Board: £2; S. Pound £15; J. Jenkins £15; names from the Ministry of Defence Nations Committee Against Torture I lelen Bcnncll; < icraril (Airran; David Granville (editor i, Jonathan Hardy, M. Jones £10; P Ladkin £10; N. Green be asked. For example, Roger Lyons, and has set about tracing those who had concluded that their continued l'eler Mulligan; Alex Reiil Production: Derek Km/ £10; anonymous £4. the general secretary of MSF, a union witnessed or took part in the events. use posed a serious impediment to the Published by Connollv Publications I .id, 244 dray's Inn Road, London WC1X X|R, tel: 0171 833 3022 with members in Ireland, often pro- So far 114 soldiers have come forward; promotion of rights and compliance Send to: Connolly Publications Ltd, 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR Bankers orders £320.00 I jnail: Connolly" gco2.poplel.orK.uk fesses his astonishment at the influ- •k Thirty journalists have been identi- with the UN Convention Against Printed by Ripley Primers (Tit) Ltd, Nottingham Road, Riplcv, Derbyshire, tel: 01773 743 621 ence of trade unionists in Ireland, at fied as potential witnesses. , Torture. , , Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Page 4 Irish Democrat January/February 1999
Hews Features World Comment continued from page 1 won't even meet his Garvaghy Road As clear as it gets: the Irish Citizen constituents. From a nationalist/ by POLITICUS Army opposes the imperialist war Having previously noted that republican point ol view the Parades Honouring a friend of Ireland Trimble is a lawyer, professor Commission is not great shakes as a Building Euroland initially, that they were serving in a Mullaney tells him: "Surprise. reform. It is allowing Orangeism to get Connolly Association executive committee member Frank Small explains the good cause, even if the experience of The only successful monetary unions 1 ^-commissioning need nol occur now away with threatening and harassment the trenches must have disillusioned reasoning behind the Birmingham branch's recent honouring of the life and work in history have been parts of a state- or even in two years' In any case ihe behaviour over an unconscionable many before their deaths. building process. There have been acl of disarmament, while desirable, is period of time against a section of the of the English scientist, theologian and political radical, Dr. Joseph Priestley As Professor Joseph Lee, the histo- three examples in Europe since the not obligatory at all compared to, say, community which would not be toler- rian, pointed out in the Irish newspa- mid-19th century - Italy, Germany and fixing a date of October 31, 1998 to ated for one minute in any genuinely oseph Priestly was born in pers, President Mary McAleese struck Switzerland. There the distinct cur- have an Executive and a North-South tolerant and civilised society where Fieldgate, near Leeds, only one false note in the fine address rencies of the various small political Council in place which is an uncondi- equal citizenship prevailed. Yorkshire in 1733 and was she gave at Messines. This was her units into which these countries were tional promise." Mullaney concludes Ironically this is the 30th anniver- brought up in a Presbyterian phrase that the Irish dead 'fell victim by pointing out that "while Trimble sary of a civil rights march through household. He completed his divided were phased out and replaced to a war aganst oppression in Europe.' may be head of the UUP, he is first and Burntollet which was attacked by peo- education in a dissenting acad- by one national currency, as they For the first world war was no fight foremost First Minister - the principal ple of the same Orange/unionist com- Jemy where he was influenced by the moved towards forming their respec- against oppression, unlike the 1939-45 public official in Northern Ireland. plexion as those who are demanding democratic spirit of the teachings of tive national states. There in time one war, which destroyed Nazism and fas- His blatant disregard of the North's the 'right' to stage triumphalist the Irishman Frances Hutcheson, one currency led to one government, and cism. The 1914-18 war was a struggle governing document places him dan- marches through any opposed com- of the leading lights of the Scottish one tax system imposed by that central between different robber powers on gerously close to violation of his munity that they target. And yet all Enlightenment. government. either side, each seeking colonies, Pledge of Office - itself spelt out in the the 'new-look' Trimble can do is to call Priestley adopted Unitarian views All states have their own currencies spheres of influence and political and Mitchell Agreement." for the abolition of the Parades and, in 1780, took up a position as and all currencies belong to states. In economic dominance over the other. fact the two essential classical defining Apologists for Trimble who recog- Commission which, up till now, has minister in the New Meeting Between 1914 and 1916 James features of being a state are the nise the weakness of his case on legal had a very chequered history, basing Unitarian church in Birmingham, a Connolly used to watch in anguish at monopoly of legal force over a territo- grounds, and who are now scampering its decisions on pragmatism rather rapidly expanding town and one of the the lines of newly enlisted working away from that position, are neverthe- than on principle. While it has disal- centres of the industrial revolution. ry, embodied in an army and police- class Dublinmen marching proudly less hard at work in the British and the lowed the Orangemen to force a way Many of the town's leading entrepre- men, and the monopoly of legal tender down the quays past Liberty Hall on Irish media defending him because of through Garvaghy Road, it is allowing neurs were Unitarians and they donat- in a currency. The two go together, for their way to the Western Front - many his postulated political difficulties. contentious marches and rallies in ed the then large sum of £200 to enable the first monopoly is needed to of them leaving behind them wives Who does not have political difficul- close proximity to nationalist enclaves Priestley to publish theological, scien- Messages of support for the CA's enforce the second. and children who would never see ties;' They never explore just what and failing to legally enforce its own tific and political works. Priestley tribute initiative were received from a num- The launch of the European single them again. One of Connolly's would be entailed in helping or stipulations on the conduct of such Priestley made original contribu- In early November members of the ber of prominent figures including the currency on 1 January in 11 of 15 EU motives in launching the Easter encouraging Trimble to appease his events. tions to science and discovered oxy- Birmingham branch of the Connolly Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, Irish states, and the abolition of their Rising was to stop the recruiting to the opponents within unionism - in The British public, the labour gen. He was also a political radical Association laid a wreath at a city cen- President Mary McAleese, Nobel national currencies over the next three British army. And stop it it did, there- effect, a surrender to the unreformed movement in particular, has much to who opposed slavery and supported tre statue (above) in commemoration Peace Prize winner and SDLP leader years, turns these nations into eco- by saving many times more lives than status quo which has been the cause of do to persuade the Labour govern- the American independence move- of the 18th Century English political John Hume. nomic provinces of the EU. At the were lost in Easter Week. all bloodshed, trouble and strife, in the same time it gives the EU one of the ment to take no more nonsense from ment, writing pamphlets on both sub- radical scientist, theologian and friend Messages of support were also The Irish soldiers of the Great War first place. There is supposed to be a recidivist six-county unionism and to jects. of Ireland, Joseph Priestley. received from Irish Arts minister key features of being a state. Yet a Remembering the first world war should certainly be commemorated. new, liberal, forward-thinking, plural- make it clear that the democratising At the time of the anti-Catholic The ceremony was fol- Eamon O Cuiv, Sinn Fein TD, state-in-the-making of a peculiar kind, The idealism and impulse of personal ist unionism in existence - or at least provisions of the Good Friday deal, Gordon riots in 1780, he wrote in lowed by a success- Caoimhghin O Caolain, senior Irish for it is quite undemocratic. John Murphy highlights the ambiguity attaching to the sacrifice of the thousands of self-sacrifice that animated so many of coming into existence - is there not ? such as the setting up of the executive, support of full Catholic emanci- ful seminar in the trade unionist, Sean Redmond, and Abraham Lincoln defined democ- Irishmen who died fighting in the cause of imperialism in the first world war them, should be recalled too, even if With such an example as Trimble's the implementation of the equality pation and the disestablish city exploring Ray Kavanagh, Martin Mackin and racy as government of the people, by ambiguously. The subjective idealism recent call for the abolition of the agenda and the formation of the new ment of the Anglican Church. the connections Arthur Scargill, general secretaries of the people, for the people. But who are he Irish President, the Queen of now probably the most Orange part of show it in Protestant Portadown of the participants did not make the Parades Commission, the question Police Service, will not be averted by Priestley noted that although between the Irish Labour Party, 1'ianna Fail the people? There is no European England and the King of Ireland, used to tell a story which where he was going. But there he saw cause they fought and died for in any might quite reasonably be asked: unionist attempts to impose further Catholics and Presbyterians I English radi- and the Socialist Labour Party respec- demos or people, whose support and Belgium stood together last showed why at least some Irish people recruiting posters too, only this time sense a good one. The reality was it Where is this reformed unionism ? He delays. made up nine tenths of the cals and Irish tively. Several prominent local Labour approval could confer democratic November at the official dedica- answered the call to don the British appealing ;o Sir Edward Carson's fol- was a criminal enterprise, perpetrated population of Ireland they ' revolutionaries Party figures, including all the local legitimacy on the embryonic EU tion of the Round Tower in uniform and go off to the mass slaugh- lowers. The slogan there read: 'Join by knaves and fouls in the govern- were required to pay tithes to in the 18th cen- MPs and MEPs, and council leader superstate. There are only European Messines, Belgium, commemo- ter of 1914-18. the army and help defeat Catholic ments on both sides. Marching in support the Church of Ireland, tury. The two Theresa Stewart added their support, peoples, in the plural. And these peo- Trating the Irish soldiers from North In autumn 1914 Gilmore went as a Austria!' - Austria being Imperial It were better by far, for themselves which was supported by just one Birmingham as did several other Labour MPs from ples do not identify with the EU and and South who died in the second young man to Amiens Street station, Germany's main ally. Not for the first and others, if the ordinary soldiers had tenth of the population. events formed a around the country. their fellow 'Europeans', as they do world war. The tower was built by Dublin, to catch the railway train time, the British government was never left their homes. An ambiguity step to an A strong supporter of the French key part of the "The lessons of the 1798 rebellion with their own countries and their fel- Protestant and Catholic work-teams northward. On walls around the sta- using Irish divisions for its own pur- therefore must attach to their monu- revolution, he wrote in his Letters to Association's 1798 bicen- and the United Irish movement is that low countrymen. from both sides of the border. tion he saw newly pasted-up recruiting poses. ments that can never attach to the Orange tune Edmund Burke in its defence following tenary celebrations. Protestants and Catholics can unite in When the Italians, Germans and Simultaneously there was much posters. They showed a Catholic priest Tens of thousands of Catholics and memorials of those, like the men of the publication of Burke's Reflections Seminar speakers included Irish Ireland around common demands," Swiss set up their national monetary guff in sections of the Irish media with a cross in his hand being bayo- Easter weekjthe rebels in Serbia, and GARVAGHY ROAD SIEGE Protestants responded to these calls - of the Revolution, in 1789, which historian Daire Keogh, Ruth Frow explained Birmingham branch mem- unions, they all spoke Italian or about these men being as worthy of neted by a Hun. In the background and their bones lie today in Messines the T917 Russian revol ut ion ari es, who Democrat reporter attacked the new French order. from the Working Class Movement ber Sean Kenny. "The wreath-laying German and could communicate with honour as those who died in the 1916 was a picture of a burning Church. and the other war cemeteries. Some acted, in the words of the Second Recent statements by the Northern The British establishment was con- Library, Salford, and John Killen ceremony and seminar will also hope- one another as they could not with for- Easter Rising. The slogan, in big bold letters, read: doubtless enlisted because of posters International's resolutions, to 'turn Ireland 'First Minister' calling for the cerned at Priestley's influence and set from the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. fully make a positive contribution to eigners. Or in the unique case of the The late George Gilmore, a 'Join the Army and help defend such as these. Others were driven to do the imperialist war into a civil war'. scrapping of the Parades Commission out to neutralise the English political The afternoon event was formally the current peace process by encourag- Swiss cantons, they had been linked Protestant Republican whose grandfa- Catholic Belgium!' so by economic pressures. Probably For these died to stop the slaughter, has sent a clear message to the people radical. A mob was incited to burn opened by British Minister for ing an understanding of Ireland's his- together, free of foreign rule for a thou- ther came from Portadown, then as Gilmore took down the poster to the great majority believed, at least the others to continue it. of the six counties and the British and down his house, destroying his scien- Overseas Development and local MP tory among the people of sand years. For democracy is not just Irish governments that the unionist tific equipment and burning his Clare Short. Birmingham. majority rule. It is majority rule on the And he goes on to refer to 'such leader whose future 'ministerial' papers. Fortunately, Priestley escaped basis of a community - normally the highly dangerous possibilities as a OBITUARY Captain O'Neill brief includes responsibility for equal- and fled to London. national community - where there is Royal Commission or proposals to ity remains under the powerful thrall However, his life and property sufficient mutual identification and amend the 1920 Government of Cathal Goulding under fire of the Orange Order. remained under constant threat, and solidarity between its members as to Ireland Act.' We remind Irish Democrat His statement coincides with an in April 1794 Priestley set sail for The former IRA Chief of Staff and with the Provisionals showed that he induce minorities freely to obey STORMONT PAPERS readers today that the demand for a intensification of efforts by the most Philadelphia, USA, a political refugee. prominent figure in Official Sinn Fein was somewhat out of his depth in pol- majority rule. For it is that identifica- Democrat reporter commission of enquiry into the work- reactionary and bigoted elements Just before his departure the Dublin after the split with the Provisionals in itics. Instead of seeking to hold the tion which gives democratic govern- ing of the Government of Ireland Act within the Orange Order to step up Society of United Irishmen showed 1970, has died at the age of 76. ground for a political as against physi- ment its legitimacy and authority. The Stormont state papers released in was first put forward in the late 1960s their campaign of intimidation and their support and sympathy for his Cathal Goulding was a key figure in cal force republicanism in the 1970s, This vital second condition is January under the 30-year rule show by the Connolly Association and was terror against the nationalist commu- plight by publishing a formal Address turning the Republican Movement which might have made possible a absent in the EU and it always will be. that one week after the Derry civil then widely taken up by unionism's nity of Portadown. to Priestley, a fine act of internationalist towards politics in the 1960s, after the coming-together of the two traditions It is why the EU in principle cannot be rights march of 5 October 1968, critics in Britain and the North. Hard-core Orangemen, supported solidarity at a time when the United failure of the 1956-62 border campaign of Irish republicanism in the 1990s, democratized, and why democrats Stormont Premier Terence O'Neill Referring to the domestic six coun- by violent loyalist elements, have Irish movement was itself under had shown the limitations of physical Goulding and Official Sinn Fein aban- throughout Europe - and labour peo- was proposing wide-ranging civil ty situation, O'Neill writes: 'Of course recently stepped up their efforts to intense pressures. force as a means to end partition. He doned republicanism as the central ple and socialists especially - need to rights reform. O'Neill found himself there are anti-Partition agitators march the full length of the Garvaghy Although Priestley's published saw the potential of a struggle for value of their politics altogether. They be foremost in the fight to keep their squeezed between the civil rights prominently at work, but can any of us Road, in contravention of ruling of the works do not reveal where he stood on reformist demands in the six counties, threw out the republican baby, as it national currencies, abandoning movement in the North and the truthfully say, in the confines of this Northern Ireland Parades Commis- the question of the political and eco- such as one-man-one-vote and an end were, with the bath-water of physical which has the aim of turning the EU British government in London - the room, that the minority has no griev- sion and the wishes of the embattled nomic independence of Ireland, his to anti-Catholic discrimination, as a force. into a superstate. latter in turn being influenced by the ance calling for a remedy?'. O'Neill 'First Minister' Trimble remains under Catholic and nationalist community. support for Catholic emancipation and way to destabilise unionist power They adopted an ideological mish- Most European bankers and decade-long campaign of anti-unionist recognised that the only way to avoid Orangeism's powerful thrall Portadown witnessed a wave of for the disestablishment of the Church there and bring the Irish problem to mash which was foisted on them by transnational EU firms want the EU lobbying that was stimulated and sub- any tinkering with the 1920 stantially organised by the Connolly Orange Order and loyalist-inspired have produced a detailed dossier on of Ireland struck at the heart of the British domestic as well as interna- others and under the slogans 'social- superstate, for it frees them from con- Government of Ireland Act was to Asssociation. demonstrations over the holiday the Orange campaign of terror since colonial regime. tional attention. ism' and 'class politics' embarked on a trol at national level by democratically make concessions in other directions, period. Many of the demonstrations July 1998 It was Tom Paine's Rights of Man In 1967 he supported the founda- course whose logical end was elected governments and parliaments. In a fascinating memo to his col- but he had to contend with the resis- were either illegal or contravened The document gives details of over which spread the democratic message tion of the Northern Ireland Civil Democratic Left's support for union- The EU's laissez-fair system is ideal leagues Terence O'Neill refers to two tance of Faulkner and Craig. 'We may conditions set down by the Parades 130 Orange demonstrations in of the French Revolution in Ireland Rights Association and urged north- ism and Fine Gael and its recent merg- for their interests. But it must be previous meetings with British even in time have to make a bitter stools of the civil rights movement and the British government Commission. Violent attacks, abuse Portadown, the vast majority illegal. and Britain - Paine, a friend of ern republicans to take part in the civil er with the Labour Party. Although anathema to the interests of all gen- Premier Harold Wilson: 'Ministers choice between losing Londonderry and intimidation also intensified "CPage 6 Irish Democrat January/February Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Page 7 60th anniversary Features/Letters August 1994. She kept up the high standards set by her predecessors until personal circum- Letters to the Editor stances impelled her to discontinue. Write to: The Editor, Irish Democrat, c/o 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR connolly column I stepped into the breach in April 1996, tak- or e-mail at: connolly(>KH OF prominctu placcs. A significant j THE IRISH Westminster parlia- Martin Moriarty was in effect editor throughout this For over ten years, the respected historian, of his gravemarker and republication of Kaiser". row of our bones when we are young, and then throws us out in the the Proclamation read: CONNOLLY entire period. For a few months in early 1994 the paper By PAT OOOLEY ment which would journalist and novelist, Peter Berresford Ellis, some of his works. What is the purpose of all this propa- street, like a worn-out tool when we are grown prematurely old in Price Sal. fid. post troe) was produced by various members of the editorial board, ORDER NOW from "Iriih Comocrat," take many years to together with John Boyd has contributed a regular column to the paper, Anyone interested in forming a ganda about Irishmen who served in his service, is he not an Irishman, and mayhap a patriot, and Premier House. 154 Southampton Row, DEMOCRAT London. W.C.I reverse. while in recent times the paper has included permanent Harney Commemoration WWI? Most likely to prepare public wherefore should we think harshly of him? i Incorporating "Irish Freedom' ne grey January > No JANUARY. 1945 ; 3d. The sudden death time of growing crisis for the left in Britain and contributions from some of Ireland's most pro- Committee can contact me at opinion to have Irishmen fighting in a Let us free Ireland! "The land that bred and bore us." And the day in 1935 a small of Greaves in August internationally. Fortunately there were those gressive historians including Thomas Bartlet' 83 Sowerby Close, Eltham, London, foreign war as part of a European army landlord who makes us pay for permission to live upon it. Whoop group of London 1988 was a great blow around in the CA who recognised the importance Ruan O'Donnell, Kevin Whelan, Mary Cullen SE9 6EZ. when such a force is established. it up for liberty! members of ihe END THE TRAVEL CHOAS for the Association, of continuing its work of the political solidarity and Denis Carroll. Our Dublin correspondent, Terry Liddle, London Colm Power "Let us free Ireland says WILL ANYTHING 8E DONE IN 1945 ABOUT Republican coming as it did at a with the cause of Irish democracy. The late Anthony Coughlan, continues to write regularly Blackrock, Co. Dublin the patriot who won't touch The capitalist Congress turned 3 Deputies Paddy Bond, who had given unstinting for the paper and has made a significant contri- socialism. Let us join together iniOo a basement flat in voluntary work to marketing and selling the bution over many years as has Jim Savage in Look behind the labels given far too little attention, effectively and cr-r-rush the br-r-rutal is a parasite on Kilburn, norih-west after C.A. JUBILEE ras»-is«3 paper since the 1950s, remained a tower of Cork. In recent years Bobbie Heatley has sent My first reaction to your editorial surrendering a powerful weapon to the Saxon. Let us all join together, London, ior ihe lirsl edi- ttta Oatt, Deputy Lartin, JM» TWELVE PAGES says he, all classes and creeds. LaMarl. aald ha "If Ml to nn» t» strength during this time of transition. Gerard regular contributions from the North. Many remarks about 'ugly English national- Right. It is also true that to build a pro- • men aubieett tK intaalaraiaM b» (> industry; as torial meeting of Irish Carda auinotiliaa aim a mcatlm, hit Curran, who had been the literary editor of the others make regular contributions. ism' was to take them as a slap in the face gressive form of English nationalism And says the town worker, (Jut.f r to twapare • patillon tor tha t Front, an occasional bul- pnava 01 t man undar aantataaa at ttMt and naondtv. ttia action ol tno Fraaa C* Irish Democrat, who stepped into the breach, pro- However, in these days of the internet, infor- to myself and to all progressive-minded which is internationalist, inclusive, and after we have crushed the ana in aujwtaaalnt alt nawaita»er «ti useless in the letin 'to give Irish exiles ancaa to lHa aatna maatlnf ducing a number of issues in 1988 and 1989, mation overkill and the widespread availability English people. On second thoughts, I free from imperialism, monarchism, Saxon and freed Ireland, what significant news of the sit The Swattar rotusod aavltt* Uto tOOtK ADMIT THEY will we do? Oh, then you can was iu aultatantc ftronsui o ttl JtiIiu;Jtotl think they are an ill-considered way of xenophobia and racism is a difficult task. tlva actum already takon unit vittiW assisted by a re-established editorial board. of Irish newspapers in Britain - and two popu- present stage of uation at home'. From HM" aUouM b.- Irish nationalism must seek Ireland, what then? Oh then any other parasite SEPTEMBER IMS Congress in Ireland and the formation in No. 225 Home Secretary snubs Lemass ducing new technology. Unfortunately, several non-sectarian republican outlook, which incor- your remarks went further, asserting support from progressive-minded you can go scraping around ^London on 4 September 1938 of the Connolly for the landlord's rent or the in the animal or 1 mmmmm years as general secretary and editor of the Irish porates progressive interpretation of the nation- that "English nationalism, even in its English people. Together, we must try to Club - comprising the former London branches Democrat, running in tan- more benign forms, is thoroughly reac- show that British withdrawal is in the money-lenders' interest same DiKrllnOIIAmnimifiiiyn al question generally, continues to induce it to of the Republican Congress, the Irish section of as before. Whoop it up for vegetable world PARADE ON dem with demanding campaign without fear or favour for peace, jus- tionary in character" and that "there is best interests of all the peoples of League Against Imperialism and some former full-time employment as tice and democracy in Ireland, and remains cerf- currently no such thing as 'progressive' Britain, and that partition of Ireland pre- liberty! members of the Irish Self-Determination League a trade-union journalist, tral to the paper's appeal. English nationalism". sents a barrier to democratic progress in After Ireland is free, says the patriot who won't touch Socialism, - an editorial board met in December in Unity FIRST took its toll and his health Like the Connolly Association, whose offi- There are a great many English peo- Britain. We must show that partition we will protect all classes, and if you won't pay your rent you will rMMMTE U heart ot «*ti- lpish DemocPAC Theatre, Britannia Street, to plan the first issue of suffered, forcing him to benefits the British ruling class and all be evicted same as now. But the evicting party, under command of lm trwi mimumwhx cial organ it is, we adopt this position both in ple who are striving to improve our Founded 1930 Connolly Association: campaigning Jor n united and Jgilcgeindent Ireland No 367 November 1990 Irish Freedom. The paper was edited by Michael licmfenary ot tin birth ot stand down from all his the interest of the Irish people as a whole and of country and its people in all sorts of the most reactionary forces, poisons our the sheriff, will wear green uniforms and the Harp without the Mclnerney, who later became the political corre- democracy and our system of justice, lowing the invasion of Connolly Association hosts major seminar on Bi itish laboui s responsibilities responsibilities by the ordinary people of Britain themselves \ ho ways. In doing so, we are taking respon- Crown, and the warrant turning you out on to the roadside will be spondent of The Irish Times during the 1950s and Russia in 1941. January 1994. have also suffered over the years as a resui of sibility for our own patch, and for our strengthens the influence of the military stamped with the arms of the Irish Republic. Now isn't that worth '60s, with production costs financed by a £25 loan Various improve- Fortunately, another Britain's colonial attitude to Ireland and the own segment of the human family, see- and the secret services on our society and fighting for? from Eamon Martin, a friend of Liam Mellows ments to the paper, talented and experienced Irish. The peace process is now well underway, ing the task of changing our country and threatens the civil rights of every British And when you cannot find employment, and, giving up the who was living in London. including improved unity is our people as our own special responsi- citizen. journalist, Helen Bennett, but there remains much that needs to be done struggle of life in despair, enter the poorhouse, the band of the - The front page headline on the first edition layout and illustrations, was able to take over in and much that can yet go awry. Democratic and bility because we are English. This is a Irish nationalism must appeal not nearest regiment of the Irish army will escort you to the poorhouse called for readers to "Fight for Irish Unity" while were brought to the progressive public opinion in Britain is still the form of nationalism. It is a progressive only to the altruism and international- to the tune of "St. Patrick's Day". Oh, it will be nice to live in these an unsigned article on the same page, presum- paper by Pat Dooley, a principal potential ally of the Irish people in form. If we failed to feel this sense of ism of the English, and of the other days! ably written by Maclnerney, urged the Irish in professional journalist, their struggle for a united, independent country. responsibility we would either become nationalities in Britain, but also to their "With the Green Flag floating o'er us" and an ever-increasing Britain to join their appropriate trade union. The who took over as editor The diffuse goodwill towards Ireland and the drop-outs or concern ourselves entirely self-interest. army of unemployed workers walking about under the Green Flag, paper included articles on Liam Mellows, the in January 1942. HE next Labour Irish that exists widely in Britain needs to be with some other nation. I'm not saying "don't offend the wishing they had something to eat. Same as now. Whoop it up for portrayal of the Irish in contemporary films, Towards the end of government is ttmt mitted to .1 united expressed, organised and brought to bear on This endeavour does not usually pre- English because they need our support", liberty! Dublin housing conditions, the recently formed Dooley's stint as editor Ireland, 50 it wtt March/April 1997 Connolly Association: campaigning for a united and independent Ireland 60p ironic that it was La- British government policy. sent itself as a form of nationalism, but I am saying that we English have Now, my friend, I am also Irish, but I'm a bit more logical. The Anti-Partition League and the contribution of it was agreed to rename bour's liny integrations! One day, there will hopefully be no need for mainly because overt English or British national sensibilities too, and 'hat it's capitalist, I say, is a parasite on industry; as useless in the present fringe who put the Irish Kvl rights and "The cause of Peter Beresford the Irish to the British labour movement. the paper the Irish n^pon on the agenda al nationalism is seen as the property of the worth taking care not to offend them stage of our industrial development as any other parasite in the ani- kllBejfr's partv conterfn. v the campaign for labour is the EHs on the Treaty a paper such as the Irish Democrat. In the mean- During the first two years the paper had a Democrat. Flann IM.I—a i... —...i i. Right, and associated with racism, impe- without good reason and purpose. mal or vegetable world is to the life of the animal or vegetable upon a united Ireland cause of Ntand" negotiations time, we continue to stay true to our ideals in number of 'editors' including Maclnerney, Campbell edited the paper for most of the period rialism, xenophobia and monarchism. Always acknowledge the existence of a which it feeds. PageS Connolly Column; Page 6 Page 12 the knowledge that the struggle for justice, Belfast man Malachy Gray, Jim I'rendergast and between June 1945 - December 1947, although Bi Nevertheless I think your editorial progressive English tradition, and The working class is the victim of this parasite - this human a peace and freedom for Ireland as the basis for PJ. Musgrove, although many issues during this his return to leaching meant that Sid Maitland "Any incoming government must act swiftly and decisively". friendship and co-operation between the two should have looked behind the labels appeal to it. If there isn't one, then the leech, and it is the duty and interest of the working class to use period were effectively edited collectively by an was responsible for a number of editions towards peoples, remains as relevant today as on the day and acknowledged it as a progressive bombers were right all along. every means in its power to oust this parasite class from the posi- editorial board. Among the many issues to be the latter part of this period. in January 1939 when the members of the expression of nationalism. This would Ken Keable, Co. Waterfnrd tion which enables it to thus prey upon the vitals of labour. given prominence in these early years were the However, for many it will be the name of newly-formed Connolly Club took their paper have been much more sensitive and con- Therefore, I say, let us organise a class to meet our masters and 'Release Frank Ryan' campaign, highlighting the Desmond Greaves, who took over as editor in onto the streets of London for the first time. structive. The above contribution marks the end of this destroy their mastership; organise to drive them from their hold plight of the Irish leader in Franco's prisons after January 1948, a position which he maintained It is true that English nationalism is special debate in the Irish Democrat for the upon public life through their political power; organise to wrench the Spanish Civil War. The campaign attracted until his death in August 1988, which remains Sources: a subject which the English Left has current time from their robber clutch the land and workshops on and in which broad labour movement and progressive support. indelibly linked to the development of the mod- Reminiscences of the Connolly Association Desmond Greaves (Connolly Association, 1978) they enslave us; organise to cleanse our social lite from the stain of The paper also defended Irish neutrality and ern day Connolly Association and its paper. C. Desmond Greaves, 191J-88: an oMtuary essay The Irish Democrat welcomes readers' letters. social cannibalism, from the preying of man upon his fellow man. opposed the conscription of Irish citizens, Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s A nlhony Coughlan (Irish Labour History Society, Dublin, 1990) Please note that shorter letters stand a better chance of appearing unedited Organise for a full, free and happy life FOR ALL OR FOR although it supported the allies' war effort fol- History of the Connolly Association Desmond Greaves turned the Irish Democrat into Anthony Coughlan (unpublished typescript) (250 words max). NONE. Page 8 Irish Democrat January/February Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Page 9 " Book Reviews around him singing. Booth was in the intensive care unit with nearly 50 The workers' king A matter of record Defenders were a good recruiting per cent of his body burnt. (Daily JAM I S LARK IN ground for the United Irishmen. Hidden scars of the Charlie Cunningham reviews Mirror, October 1,1980). He was lucky A watershed in Bobbie Heatley reviews The extracts quoted from The James Larkin: lion of the fold, Gill to be alive. 1916 Rebellion Handbook, United Irishmen's Catechism shows the and Macmillan, £9.99 pbk aims of the new organisation. The war against the Irish Aly Renwick's account of PTSD is Moume River Press, pbk author quotes Archbishop Troy to not for the squeamish. If you didn't Donal Nevin, a former general secre- Nl conflict studies The material in this book was first show the Catholic Church officially Peter Berresford Ellis reviews nwick remember their victims in Ireland, tary of the Irish Congress of Trade Miller, exposes brilliantly the propa- published in 1916 by the Irish Times or, sided with the authorities and Hidden Wounds: the problems of you can almost feel a sympathy for Unions, is the editor of this new book John Murphy reviews gandist thrust of most conventional as it was known in those days by Irish condemned Catholics for taking part. Northern Ireland veterans in Civvy these soldiers caught up in this colo- celebrating the life and work of Rethinking Northern Ireland, David sociological and political science writ- nationalists and republicans, the This is an excellent pamphlet Street, Aly Renwuk, Barbed Wire, nial war, young impressionable men James Larkin. Lion in the Fold which Miller (ed.), Longman, £16.50 pbk ing on Northern Ireland. 'Squireish Mimes'. explaining the causes and progress of ordered to commit criminal activities includes the text of 15 RTE Thomas £4.99 pbk This book of articles by critically- It will embarrass a number of However, as Declan Kiberd writes United the rebellion of 1798 with many quo- 1 in uniform and protected and even Davis lectures broadcast in 1997. In minded academics from Britain and named academics, despite the thick in the introduction "It prided itself on tations from contemporary sources. The UK Ministry of Defence and suc- rewarded by their Queen; but when addition the collection includes essays Northern Ireland is a watershed in hides and brass necks some of them being the Irish paper of record and so The author feels the writing of cessive London governments have m**/ those same criminal acts are repeated by a number of prominent historians, Iiisl/nien, cc modern studies of the northern con- doubtless have. their journalists did their best to col- Kavanagh, a Catholic and Musgrave, a turned a blind eye to the fact that out of uniform, they are imprisoned as well as tributes, songs, poems, flict. A veritable library of books has As Miller writes, 'academic writing lect official and eyewitness accounts." Protestant historian, did much to many of the soldiers, having served in by the courts of that same monarch. obituaries and articles by Larkin's United been written on the North in the past on Northern Ireland cannot be fully Judging by this book, they carried out cause later confusion. On page 336 the Her Majesty's armed forces in the six Aly Renwick ends his meticulously contemporaries. 30 years. Most of them are not worth explained without some theory of the their remit very well. British govern- author declares "We declare that the counties, wind up serving time in Her Or S researched volume with a quote from Among the many distinguished reading, mainly because they have production of consent to dominant ment censorship prevented statements principle of civil and religious liberty Majesty's prisons because they are not Jimmy Johnson, mentioned in names to be found in this remarkable This compendium, produced 50 treated the conflict there as a 'domestic views.' For manufacturing consent - by supporters of the rebellion getting which inspired the rising of 1798 is helped to adjust to civilian life. despatches for having rescued a civil- compilation tribute are Cormac O years after Larkin's death, deserves to Irish' or 'community relations' one, subscription to the official govern- wide circulation. 'Comment was not merely the sentiment of the Irish A study by CRISIS found that 25 per ian from a bombed building. After Grada, Dermot Keogh, Fergus A. be read by all who seek to further the 4 r and have ignored the role of British ment view of the problem - is effec- unfree, but the facts were sacred' is people but a sacred trust to which tbe cent of homeless people in London leaving the army, Johnson murdered D'Arcy, Emmet Larkin, Austin interests of working peoples. % \ i state interests and British government tively what most academic writing on how Kiberd characterises the period. Republic of Ireland is inseparably are ex-service people; 29 per cent of two people, on separate occasions, Clarke, Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Subsidised by SIPTU - the Irish trade policy, despite their manifest rele- Northern Ireland has been up to. The book is a mine of information. attached". these were suffering from stress, while, it is claimed, suffering from Behan, W.P Ryan, James Stevens, Sean union which resulted from the merger vance to the person in the street. Miller describes the politics of aca- The reader gets from it a graphic depression and other symptoms PTSD. Johnson says: "if the O'Casey, and James Connolly. The of the ITGWU and WUI - the book is This suited British governments demic appointments in the North, and picture of one of the outstanding associated with post traumatic stress the United Kingdom maintains the government needs to commit their book also includes a number of inter- undoubtedly the bargain of the year at fine, as successive administrations in the effect of state endowment of social events of modern Irish history, with all disorder (PTSD), and 41 per cent of same indifference to the fate of its soldiers into a war of unknown and esting photographs. just £9.99 for 550 pages. London sought to persuade interna- research there. He finds Gramsci's its tragedy and heroism. Events on them had been in prison. soldiery that it previously exhibited faceless enemies, then, they should D AY I D A . W I L S O N tional public opinion that their inten- theory of hegemony useful in showing Dublin's destroyed streets are recalled, The numbers of murders, rapes, over the 'shell shock' victims of World help their soldiers and not betray REVIEWS IN BRIEF tions in Ireland were always of the how the conventional wisdom of most as are episodes from inside the GPO. robberies and assaults committed bv War I and for which it has only just them - which the government and the Very little has been written about the In Alan O'Day's Irish Home Rule Enda Finlay reviews noblest. And it suited the university academic social science regarding the The book contains much more and it former British soldiers, who had apologised for. MoD, with their conspiracy to keep experience of the six counties' relative- 1867-1921, (Manchester University United Irishmen, United States: professors and lecturers who wrote source and nature of the conflict there is illustrated with photographs of the served in the six counties, are out of all One story among these harrowing silent, are doing. The MoD must ly small ethnic-minority communi- Press, £14.99 pbk) the author provides immigrant radicals in the early ensure that their stressed and trauma- most of these books, and who might is manufactured. foremost participants. proportion to other population sec- tales especially fascinated me. The ties. Divided Society: ethnic minorities an overview of the parliamentary republic, by David A. Wilson, tised soldiers have a psychological have suffered in their academic career Political events arising from the From journalistic accounts of "An tions. It is clearly the direct result of actor Tony Booth, father-in-law to and racism in Northern Ireland, edited shenanigans when Irish nationalist Four Courts Press, £14.95 pbk return ticket hack to a normal life, and prospects and research grants if their peace process have made redundant Orgie of Fire and Slaughter", the exe- young men having experienced trau- Prime Minister Tony Blair, is from a by Paul Hainsworth (Pluto Press MPs took their seats at Westminster in are not cast aside like a piece of dis- work raised awkward questions con- the neo-unionist and 'ignore-histori- cutions of the rising's leaders, the Throughout the bicentenary year of ma exhibiting psychological and reha- Liverpool-Irish background. In 1980, £9.99 pbk) is a welcome attempt to an attempt to gain some measure of carded equipment." cerning the motives of the govern- cal-colonialism' assumptions of most Courts Martial of certain military per- the United Irish rebellion there was a bilitation problems. two SAS soldiers, on leave from a tour counter this imbalance. Specifically freedom for their country. ment on whose financial patronage studies prevelent since the early 1970s. sonnel by their own side through to continuous stream of new publications Whereas the United States recog- of duty in the six counties, calling him This is a gripping book on a challenging the notion that racism is The Irish parliamentary party were they ultimately depended. We can take it that the fertile official and rebel communications etc., on various aspects of the rebellion and nises PTSD as a medical condition, a 'Paddy bastard', poured petrol over completely unknown aspect of the not a problem in Northern Ireland, marginalised in the British parlia- Rethinking Northern Ireland requires analysis and research ground opened it is all there. So too are long lists of its central character. Less attention and helped former Vietnam veterans, him, set light to him and danced Irish war. contributors deal with a range of key ment, especially after Parnell; they that the inequalities brought about by up by David Miller, Liam O'Dowd, names: rebel prisoners, military and was paid to those who fled Ireland, issues such as racism and anti-racism, were reliant on a Liberal Party that colonialism in Ireland should be Mike Tomlinson, Bill Rolston, Ronnie civilian personnel decorated for their either before, during or after the rebel- often dressed up in the clothes of sectarianism, health provision, law, was often unenthusiastic and some- recognised for what they are, and an Munck, Robbie McVeigh, Ronan service to the Crown in its time of lion. David Wilson's impressive book women or beggars... complete with policing and the criminal justice sys- times hostile to Home Rule. Yet they MAKING SENSE OF THE awareness that England/Britain is the Bennett, Carol Coulter and the other trouble, many of whom were Irish. looks at the United Irishmen in the make-up..." The author alleges the tem and the media. The book also managed to have a considerable and the Politics of source of that colonialism. contributors to this path-breaking For anyone interested in the minutiae United States and in so doing answers support ill I'eaisc'.s sister and cousin. includes case studies of five minority impact on the political system in Redemption The opening chapter on volume, will inaugurate a new, of 1916 and the workings of British some of our questions about what hap- But lie comments "Ruth Dudley MOLLY groups. Britain. Calum McConnell reviews 'Colonialism and academic represen- intellectually fruitful era in Anglo- official minds during it, this is the pened to those who left. Edwards notes that Pearse dressed in Bertie Ahern: Taoiseach and peace- The book contains an extensive 1798: rebellion in County Down, tation' by the book's editor, David Irish and Northern Ireland studies. book not to be without. Wilson's deals with the complexi- disguise". This plausible explanation MAGUIRES maker by Ken Whelan and Eugene biographical glossary of many of the Colourpoint Books, £8.99 pbk ties of the large Irish community in is dismissed as not being "analytical". Masterson (Mainstrean Publishing, participants, a chronology and gener- the US and how the United Irishmen "The true story of '98 has never been Moran pushes further, pointing out £9.99 pbk) is a fairly run-of-the-mill ous extracts from key documents. sought to organise within it. He told, not in the past 200 years", said that Pearse "frequently" wandered political biography of the Irish Hilary Pyle's Red-Headed Rebel: explores their attitudes to race, class, Professor Thomas Bartlett. But rising into a "red light" area and that this Taoiseach and Fianna Fail's uncharis- Susan L Mitchell, Poet and Mystic of sex and culture as they were eventual- to this challenge Colourpoint Books of practice continued "until he was in his matic, though not unlikeable, leader. the Irish Cultural Renaissance (The ly assimilated within mainstream Newtownards have published a major teens". At that age I would not have Like all successful politicians Woodfield Press, £12.50 pbk) uses pre- America. new title on the 1798 rebellion in known what a red light district was, let Ahern comes across as a successful viously unpublished correspondence The author concludes that "it County Down. alone where it was. wheeler dealer who knows how to play and papers, this book tells the story of would be more accurate to view the 1798: rebellion in County Down has Pearse's liking for black clothes is a canny political hand when required. how a woman, born into a unionist United Irishmen as egalitarian democ- brought together an array of new depicted as "the idea of death impress- Yet, despite his success Ahern family in the late 1800s gradually rats whose social attitudes spanned the research into the 1798 rebellion in ing itself on him", as he had an "obses- clearly isn't burdened with a 'big idea'. rebelled and became drawn, initially spectrum of American life but whose Down by the 'Hearts of Down 1998' sion with death and violence". But, Unfortunately this biography barely towards Parnell and subsequently centre of gravity was somewhat to the group. All the contributors are Ulster- Sein Farrell Moran Moran also tells us that Pearse never gets beyond the superficial, and even republicanism. left of centre". born or raised, and most were educat- lost interest in his appearance and that all the ballyhoo in the media about Susan Mitchell was a friend and While Wilson is undoubtedly well ed at Queen's University, Belfast. Confusing history black flattered his "portly" figure. Of Persecuting Molly Ahern's belief in a united Ireland in close associate of the Yeats family, versed and insightful on the trials and Featuring articles on the events of course Pearse may have been imitating his own lifetime amounts to little George Russell (AE) and Constance Sally Richardson reviews tribulation of the United Irishmen in the rising, the personalities involved, with psychobabble the monks who taught him, the clergy more than a throwaway comment. As Making Sense of the Molly Maguires Markievicz, and enjoyed the rarefied the United States, he is less knowl- its roots and its political aftermath, the or even the legal profession, for which to what really makes 'the man with the Ruairi () Domhnaill reviews by Kevin Kenny, Oxford University pleasures of Dublin literary society at edgeable when discussing events in book contains essays on the battles of he was educated. Permute any unsup- midas touch' really tick, we'll have to Patrick Pearse and the Politics of Press, £14.99 pbk the beginning of the century, and she Ireland, and this is perhaps the only Saintfield and Ballynahinch, the ported hypotheses from the above. Redemption bv Sean Farrell Moran, wait for a more detailed study of the worked as a journalist on Horace flaw in an otherwise interesting book. examination of personalities such as CUA, £11.95 pbk Pearse is said to have been attracted On 21 June 1877 ten Irishmen were political life and times Bertie Ahern. Plunkett's, Irish Homestead. Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Thomas to young boys, to have been erotically hanged for a series of killings in the Russell and Henry Monro, and an 1'earse was truly an extraordinary per- Gerard Curran reviews attracted to children and to have writ- Pennsylvania anthracite coalfields. analysis of how the rising affected par- Seventeen Ninety Eight, Myth or Truth son. But surely he was not extraordi- ten "homoerotic works" which were Ten more were executed over the next ticular townlands. The book tells the nary m the way Sean Farrell Moran "often near scandalous for their praise two years. Some were certainly inno- by Deny Kelleher. Kestrel Books £4, history from both sides; a fact which recounts. The author of this 'psv- of the beauty of boys [although]... cent. Insult was added to injury as Derry Kelleher's latest pamphlet in itself is unique. chohistory' is aii associate professor of rarely explicitly sexual". But "he was these 'Molly Maguires' were vilified by Pour provinces begins with the Battle of Aughrim. The book also features essays by history in the USA, who might have not a pederast, nor did he leave any the press and the authorities. about these events. The fact that mod- Anti-Treaty members of the IRA on Following the defeat of the followers prolific historians: A.T.Q. Stewart persevered with conventional history. recorded explicit sexual fantasies The Reading Railroad sought to Deadly divisions ern Irish politics continues to bear the Grafton Street, Dublin, 1922 of James, "society in Ireland hardened examines the story of Betsy Gray; My problems begin with Moran's about boys" and "he was not a pae- take control of production and distrib- iRish Bookshop imprint of these deadly divisions is, into two distinct divisions". This was while Thomas Bartlett examines how founding his analysis on the work of dophile". But the nasty seeds of doubt ution in the region by eliminating Val Angris reviews however, no argument for ignoring brief, though informative, general nar- roughly described as "Catholic" and the authorities if the time repressed Hrik Hrikson, a Freudian psychiatrist are sown. Provided that he harmed their competitors and the minework- 244 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8JR . The Irish CMI War, Tim Pat Coogan this important period or pretending rative of events by Tim Pat Coogan, "Protestant". the rebellion. whose magnum opus was an analysis of nobody, what does his sexuality, or ers' attempts to defend their own and George Morrison, Weidenfeld and Tel. 0171 833 3022 that it just didn't happen. Morrison has provided a wealth of By 1791 a new group had emerged, The book could not have been writ- Martin Luther. lack of it, matter? Could Moran be interests. When the trade union, Nicolson, £25 hbk The collaboration between the material about each photograph in the Presbyterians, who showed sym- ten without the resources of the Local Psychoanalysis surely would viewing Pearse from a modern per- which had briefly managed to tran- The phrase 'don't mention the war', highly respected historical film- caption form. pathy for reforms which would benefit Studies Library in Ballynahinch and require an examination o* the subject, spective? Certainly the book is replete scend the ethnic and skill differences For a wide selection of books, which, despite the comic undertones, maker, George Morrison, and the ever Unfortunately, Tim Pat Coogan's their Catholic fellow countrymen and all credit to Down Museum for giving or, at least of his original work, prefer- with the modern WASP portrayal of in the workforce, was crushed, some has slipped into the English language prolific journalist, broadcaster and loathing of de Valera and admiration support for the American colonialists, its full backing to the project. The ably wri'ten in his own hand. Of about the Irish 'alone' as vicious terrorists Irishmen took direct action using music cassettes, cards, badges. as oblique commentary on the state of historian, Tim Pat Coogan, is a worthy of Collins shines through in abun- who wanted to govern themselves. Museum has commissioned research three hundred of Moran's listed with a "tradition of national violence", methods that Kenny traces back to the Anglo-German relations since 1945, attempt to fill part of the void. dance. While this wjll come as no sur- Many of them were enthusiastic sup- before now, but this is its first major sources, two appear to fall into that although Connolly and the ICA get a Whiteboy and Ribbonist tactics of History, politics and could just as easily have been devised The photographs, most of which prise to those familiar with the porters of Thomas Paine's ideas and academic publication. The project was category. A random sample of 59 foot- good, if minute, press. their rural Irish origins. about the Irish Civil War. are from Morrison's own collection, author's previous work, it does slight- their practical application in France. also supported by Down District notes indicates that about 90 per cent This psychoanalysis reveals the Kenny cuts through the myths that Council and the Community Irish language a speciality Although last year marked the 75th present a remarkable record in their ly mar what would otherwise have The sudden demand for beef on the are based on secondary sources. 1916 poets as producers of erotica; grew up around 'Molly Maguirism' Relations Council. anniversary of the end of one of the own right and although a good num- been a reasonably balanced, account of continent due to cattle disease in 1762 Moran's style borders on the sala- Plunkett's I See His lilood Upon the pointing out that it was certainly not most traumatic episodes in recent ber will be familiar, some even infa- the origin and course of the conflict. brought the change to pasture and This is not a book to be read at one cious. For example, he hints at Rose tops the list. O'Donovan Rossa's the highly-organised conspiracy the Open 11 am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday Irish history, one which witnessed bit- mous, there are literally scores of oth- Despite this, Tim Pat Coogan's intro- eviction for the tenant farmers. Their sitting. Each chapter is jam-packed Pearse's alleged transvestism, prefer- devotion to Ireland was also "erotic". authorities claimed. A gripping story Mail order and catalogue available on request ter conflict within single families, as ers which will be less well known or duction is well worth a read before response was to form secret societies with information, much of it new, ence for black clothes, 4nd homosexu- De gustibus non est disputandum- of the Irish, Diaspora and American • - < well as between former friends and previously unseen by the majority of moving on through the Morrison's which acted drastically against the unfamiliar and startling. All chapters ality. He states that "as a youth he (Whatever turns you on, sailor!) labour history. •comrades, very little has been written potential readers. In addition to 3 splendid photographic? collection. landlords. These Whiteboys and will repay reading And re-reading. Insh Democrat January/February 1999 Page 11 Page 10 Irish Democrat January/February 1999 Irish songs Sources said...* Reviews Aherlow Sir William he, snug as a flee, His hair was black, his eye was blue, Peter Mulligan's regular trawl through History through A Volunteer's tale Lay all this time a-snoring, His arm was stout, his word was true, the British media twn-oiH Nor dreamed of harm, as he lay warm This song, sung in 1979 by Peter Flanagan of I wish in my heart I was with you. Moya St. Leger reviews In bed with Mrs. Loring. the camera lens Seamus O Cionnfhaolaidh Ballymenone, ivas written in 1857 by the Irish nationalist, My Johnny has gone for a soldier. All or nothing - "Unionists cannot Defenders by Gerry McGeough, Now in a fright, she starts upright, David Granville reviews Charles Kickham (1828-82) with the deliberate purpose gain a new Stormont Assembly Seesyu Press, £10 pbk Amhr&n na bprdtai dubha Awaked by such a clatter; without agreeing to share power, and Into the Light: an illustrated guide to of discouraging enlistment. It ivas based on a newspaper I'll sell my rock, I'll sell by reel, The Black Potatoes Song He rubs his eyes and boldly cries, Likewise I'll sell tny spinning wheel, to set up cross border bodies. The photographic collections in the Defenders is Gerry McGeough's first account of the arrest and imprisonment for begging of This song was written around 1850 by "For God's sake what's the matter?" To buy my love a coat of steel, agreement makes it clear that without National Library of Ireland, experiment in fiction and provides Patrick Sheehan, a blind veteran of the Crimean War. Mare Ni Droma from the parish of My Johnny has gone for a soldier. fulfillment of all us clauses, the others solid evidence of his writing ability. Sarah Rouse, National Library of Ring in Co. Waterford. The great As his bedside, he then espied fall too." Independent editorial A modern story, it is based on the Ah, my name is Patrick Sheen and my years are Ireland, pbk dread of the people in the famine years Sir Erskine in command, sir, I'll dye my petticoat, dye it red. escalating conflict in the six counties thirty-four, was not so much death as the poor Upon one foot the had one boot, And through the world I'll beg my bread Revolution means change "There has The creation by the National Library and the two hunger strikes at the Tipperary is my native place, not far from house and its inexorable separation of And t'other in his hand, sir, He'll not come back, alive or dead, been a seismic shift in the political of Ireland of a new National beginning of the 1980s written from Galtymore. husband and wife, parents and chil- "Arise, arise!" Sir Erskine cries; My Johnny has gone for a soldier. relationship between Britain and Photographic Archive in Dublin is the perspective of Turlough, an OC of I came of honest parents, but now they're lying low, dren. Riolig an tsleibh (the mountain "The rebels, - more's the pity - Ireland. A new pattern of thinking has perhaps a fitting testament to both the a Tyrone IRA active service unit. And many a pleasant days I spent in the glens of grave), where most of the famine dead Without a boat, are all on float, I'll go and sit on yonders hill, emerged which makes the language of power and historical importance of From the first sentence the tension Aherlow. were carted and buried, is about two And ranged before the city. Who can blame me cry my fill' Lady Thatcher, and the others who the visual image. does not let up. An ambush which and a half miles on the Youghal road And every tear would turn a mill, cling to old notions of unionist-* This modestly produced publica- becomes known as the 'Cregoe inci- Bereft of home and kit and kin and plenty all from Dungarvan. "The motley crew, in vessels new, My Johnny has gone for a soldier. supremacy or narrow nationalism, tion serves the dual purpose of acting dent' triggers a tense cat and mouse around, With Satan for their guide, sir, seem dead." Independent on Sunday as a satisfying accompaniment to the tale of highly motivated IRA volun- I starved within my cabin, and I slept upon the A Ri na gloire foir agus freagair sinn, Packed up in bags or wooden kegs, editorial Archive's opening exhibition, and as teers and their families pitched against ground. Scaoil ar nglasa agus reitigh ar gcas, Come driving down the tide, sir. The Blarney Roses a practical guide to the contents of the full force of the British army and San Bheatha a Ri s'on a chroi go And cruel as my lot was, I ne'er did hardship know, Therefore, prepare for bloody war; A cheery little song after the mournful ones. Written by A. Irresistible dynamic - "I make no around 90 individual collections intelligence services. gcasfar i, is an phoorhouse go Till I joined the British Army far away from These kegs must all be routed; Melville, Danny Doyle made a successful recording of it. secret of the fact that I would hope housed at the new, purpose-built The gentler scenes reveal Aherlow. leagtar i anuas go brach. Or surely, we despised shall be, that in the fullness of time people will Temple Bar site. McGeough's finer sensitivities and Mas mar gheall ar ar bpeacai And British courage doubted." see that it is working together on this Among approximately 300,000 deeper perception of human affairs. Rise up there, says the corporal, you lazy Irish 'Twas over in auld Ireland near the town of chlaonmhar thainig an cheim seo island that will make more sense than photographic images held in the The occasional religious and philo- hound, Cushendall, eadrainn, From morn to night, these men of might looking to Westminster, and that they archive - the largest collection of Irish sophical reflection extends the book's Why don't you see, you sleepy dog, the call of arms One morn I met a damsel there the fairest of them Oscail ar gcroithe agus scaoil an Displayed amazing courage; will take a decision to move away from photographs in the world - is the one dimensions beyond the intricate story sound all. ghangaid as, And when the sun was fairly down, that." Bertie Ahern, the Irish Taoiseach. reproduced on the right (circa 1920) of of IRA operations against the British Alas, I had been dreaming of days long, long ago, 'Twas with my young affections, and my money, Leig braon beag ded iosbairt a Ri a Retired to sup their porridge: The Times an American policeman taking the enemy. The reader, gripped by patrio- Till I awoke before Sebastopool and not in Aherlow. she did go. chum ar geneasaithe A hundred with each a pen, details of a woman protesting against Eamonn Ceannt's wife Aine from this particular source. tism, love, espionage and betrayal, and And she said she belonged to where the Blarney Is uaisle na bhflathas go reidh ar gcas. Or more upon my words, sir, The new PT* - "To meet the British rule in Ireland. O'Brennan, we are told that the image In listing the various collections eager to turn the page, is not put off by I groped to find my musket, how dark I thought the Roses grow. It is most true, would be too few government's pledges in the Good This photograph is taken from the is one of 120 items, including 92 the book also provides useful details a history lecture. Fortunately, the A Ri na trua is a uain ghil night. Their valour to record, sir, Chorus: Friday Agreement, emergency powers collection of Kathleen O'Brennan, photographic prints and 28 printed about access, provenance and related strength of the plot and the fluidity of bheannaithe, O blessed God, it was not dark, it was the broad Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses specific to Northern Ireland will be journalist, republican and sister of items held by the National Library material held in the archive. McGeough's writing redeem the book Feach ar an ainnis ata in ar gcra. daylight. Such feats did they perform that day grow? abolished. It (The British govern- from floundering on its shortcomings. Is na leig ar strae uait fein an t-anam And when I found that I was blind and me tears Upon these wicket kegs, sir, It may be down in Limerick and it may be in ment) wants to phase out the widely The album kicks off with Blackbird, Clearly a former Provo cannot bocht, began to flow, That years to come, if they get home, Mayo. criticised Diplock Court and end the 4 one of several featuring the talents of know about the workings of British Sa fheabhas a cheannaigh tu e sa And I longed for even a pauper's grave in the glens They'll make their boasts and brags, sir. It's somewhere in the Emerald Isle but this I want use of exclusion orders." The Donal Lunny. Donal's son, Oisin, also intelligence, but surely common sense phais. of Aherlow. to know. Independent makes an appearance on Bag of Cats, a should have dictated that the MI5 Ni ar bhimid ag cuimhneamh, ag Can anybody tell me where the Blarney Roses NB. The government has announced collection of infectious foot tapping man, would never have taken home smaoineamhna marana, O blessed Virgin Mary, I might end the mournful grow? that the PTA will be renewed and tunes from the Shetland Isles, 'the reams of hand-written intelli- Na ar ainnis an tsaoil ag deanamh tale, Shule Agra enlarged to include a wider area than Scotland and Cape Breton. gence material he'd been accumulat- macnamh, A poor blind prisoner I am in Dublin's dreary jail. Her cheeks were like the roses, her hair was a raven Northern Ireland. Never one to confine herself to tra- ing'. Yet, who could fail to be intrigued O a Ri na trua tog dinn an ghangaid Struck blind within the trenches, where I never This vms originally a song of the wild geese, the emigrant ditional Irish music, you'll find tunes by Turlough, a charismatic young feared the foe, Irish who went to fight for foreign armies (mainly French) hue, seo, Unionism's military wing - "Locals here from as far afield as the US deep Irishman 'consumed by the belief that And never will I see again my home, sweet after the Treaty of Limerick of 1691. This song got a new Before that she was done with me, she had me Go mbeam im shailt gach uair den la. despise the RUC. About 80 people, south, Cape Breton, Canada and for Ireland to fulfil her historic des- Aherlow. lease of life during the American revolutionary war. raving too including Sinn Fein Assembly mem- Sweden . There's even a tune (Sparky) tiny, the British must be driven from Is ni he Dia a cheap riamh an obair Between 35 and 50 per cent of Washington's Army were She left me sorely stranded, not coin she left you bers and former republican prisoners, written in part by reggae giant Dennis her shores no matter what the cost'. seo, Irish. The song is sometimes called Shule Aroon, somtimes know, gathered in the community hall yes- Bovell and a version of Fleetwood He pays a high price for his idealism The Battle of the Kegs Buttermilk Hill. And she told me she belonged where the Blarney Daoine bhochta a chuir le fain, terday and for almost two hours gave Shannon Magic Mac's Never Go Back entitled Kids. and commitment. The American colonists in their war against the British Roses grow. lad a chuir ins an phoorhouse go accounts of police brutality, harass- The album is refreshingly rounded Homeward bound made two important innovations. In the battle with With Fife and drum, he marched away, Declan O'Brien reviews A powerful story, this racy thriller dubhach agus glas orthu, Chorus ment and intimidation. Voices cracked off with five previously unreleased General Burgoyne, snipers shot at British officers, instead He would not heed what I did say, 'Spellbound': the very best of Derek Humphries reviews is also a 'friggin' good read, as the Is lanua scartha go bhfaighdis bas. with emotion as speaker after speaker tracks : Maguire and Patterson written of concentrating on 'other ranks', as was usual in He'll not come back for a many a day, They've roses in Killarney, and the same in County Sharon Shannon (IRA CD 245 Long Journey Home book's hero might have put it. Na leanai thogaidis suas le macainis, told Mr Patten of being dragged from by guitarist Robbie Overson, The European wars. The other innovation was the floating My Johnny's gone for a soldier. Clare. (original soundtrack), various artists, Scuabtai uathu gan trua gan taise their houses at 5am by police officers For those of you looking for a musical Munster Hop, co-written with Mike mine. While they were in winter quarters some bolder Upon my word those roses, boys, I can't see BMG Classics, CD 09026 689634, dhoibh, who smashed their belongings with New Year treat to buck you up now Scott of The Waterboys, French spirits filled a large number of beer or water kegs with Chorus: anywhere; Cassette 09026 689632 Ar bheagan loin ach sup na hainnise, sledgehammers." The Times that the seasonal festivities are over, Canadian tune Reel Beatrice, The Gan mathair le freagairt doibh da explosives and send them down the Delaware to sink the Shule, shule agra, shule agra, She blarneyed me and by the powers, she left me Sharon Shannon's Spellbound should Marguenta Suite (a waltz and two jigs), This album is the original soundtrack bhfaighdis bas. British ships in Philadelphia. The follomng witty ballad His pick and shovel laid awa' broke, ho, ho, Unarmed police force - "Sinn Fein do the trick, and no mistake. and the title track, Spellbound. to Thomas Lennon's film about the tells how the British responded. He's gone away to fight the war, Did this damsel that belonged to where the Blarney want an unarmed police force of 3,000 The 21 tracks featured on this Sharon's playing is stunning Nach trua uaisle a bhfuil moran cuid My Johnny's gone for a soldier. Roses grow. Irish in America and the selection is to replace the 76 year old RUC, which excellent compilation span the ten throughout and it's not difficult, acu, Gallants attend, and hear a friend, the inspiration of musical producer Chorus currently pays 11,500 officers. It wants years of recording career, including 15 although somewhat misleading, to see Ag diol as an obair seo le Ri na ngras, Trill forth harmonious ditty: Me oh my I loved him so, Paddy Maloney, who has brought 45 per cent of them to be Catholic and tracks tunes from her three previous how some critics have been tempted to Agus fearaibh bhochta an t-saoil na Strange things I tell And I often asked him not to go, Acushla gra-machree, me boys, she murmured soft, together many of the 'big names' in a screening process to exclude albums to date: Sharron Shannon describe her as the J imi Hendrix of the Which late befell in Philadelphia City But only time will heal my woe, did she, Irish music. fuair riamh aon seibhreas, 'human- (1991), Out of the dap (1994), Each accordian. Great and joyous music for Some of the non-traditional tracks Ach dian obair o aois go bas. T'was early day, poets do say, My Johnny has gone for soldier. "If you belonged to Ireland, it's yourself belongs to rights violators'. It wants ex-terrorists I Aide Thing (1997). all but the diehard purist. include Moloney's own original Is iad na pratai dubha a d'fhag ar Just when the sun was rising, me". to be eligible to join." The Guardian scores, whilst other 'originals' are con- muintir scaipithe, A soldier stood on a log of wood, But now my love has gone to France, Her Donegal come-all ye brogue, it captured me tributed by Brian Keane and Elvis Do chuir ins an phoorhouse iad And saw a sight surprising. To try his fortune to advance. you know. Troubled peace - "The hard fact is that anonn thar farraige. If he comes back t'is but a chance Bad scram to her, and that same place, where the X j0in A • Costello. Van Morrison, Matt Molloy, decommissioning will have to come as Is I Reilig an tsleibhe ta na ceadta As in a maze, he stood to gaze, My Johnny has gone for a soldier. Blarney Roses grow. Derek Bell, Mary Black, Vince Gill, a voluntary act, for all the efforts of The truth can't be denied, sir, Sinead O'Connor, Martin Fay, Liam O diobh treascaithe 30,000 security force members have He spied a score - of kegs, or more, Maonlai, Eileen Ivers, Sissel, Kevin A Ri na bhflathas go reidh ar gcas. not succeeded in stripping the IRA of Come floating down the tide, sir. Conneff, Joanie Madden and Paddy its sizeable arsenal... it is clear that A sailor too, in jerkin blue, st patRick's & may 6ay Liberatioand help our work for peace, freedom, equal rights and democracny Glackin are among those included in decommissioning will be only The strange appearance viewing, Since its formation in 1954, the Movement for Colonial Freedom - now the mighty line up. This astounding through give and take... If decommis- First damned his eyes, in great surprise, Liberation !> .is campaigned in Britain and abroad for all those struggling to assembly of voices and traditional Join the QReetings CAR6S sioning becomes established as the Then said, some mischief's brewing. .lcliicvc Ireedom from oppression and exploitation. instrumentalists is augmented by the f. 10 for £5.00 (including pre-condition for peace, then there is Cire.it advances have been made, but the old empires have been replaced hy Anuna Choir, The Chieftans, Faith unlikely to be any peace. It is therefore "These kegs now hold the rebels bold, postage and packing new tonus ol imperialism. Transnational corporations now subjugate and Chorale and The Irish Film ConnollyAssociation vital to approach the issue with sensi- Packed up like pickled herring: in the UK only) exploit millions ol people in the interests of capital and profit. Orchestra. The Connolly Association is the oldest Irish campaigning organi- tivity." Independent on Sunday editorial And they're to attack the town, Assorted designs Liberation h.is nm cli more work to do and the calls for our help and My personal favourites among sation in Britain. Membership costs £10 per year - or £12 for a Maloney's work would have to be his In this new way of ferrying. Available from: solidarity are greater than ever. You can help by joining Liberation as an joint membership, (£6 joint unwaged) and £5 for individual •Formerly "Peepshow" orchestrated Emigration Theme and The soldier flow, the sailor too," Northampton nulu idual member or In arranging tor your organisation to affiliate. students, unemployed and pensioners. Membership includes a While Potatoes, a Gaelic lament per- And sacred almost to death, Sir, Connolly Association, I l/we wish to subscribe to Liberation for 1999 free subscription to the Irish Democrat. Wore out their shoes to spread the news, formed in earthy sean-nos style by 5 Woodland Avenue, Last Word I I wr enclose ,1 < lieque postal order (payable to Liberation) lor and include a donation ol I Liam 0 Maonlai. Other moving and And ran till out of breath, sir. I Rates individual', fl;' (!'•! unwaged): institutions and local orgs £1b; regional and national bodies I Abingdon, i6British interference led to the Civil atmospheric pieces include Sissel's Name.... [ £?0 or more acc ordmq to sue (contact Liberation for further details); overseas subscriptions odd £5. I Northampton NN3 2BY. War (1922-23) which has disrupted the stunning rendition of An Raibh Tu Ag Now up and down throughout the town Name/position life of the country for several decades. an gCarraig? (Where were you at the Address. Most frantic scenes were acted : (also available: Organisation . The imposition of partition had led to rock?) and O'Donnell's Lament, exquis- And some ran here and some ran there Celtic Greetings). I Postal address . Postcode a permanent insurrectionary situation Like men almost distracted itely performed on fiddle by Eileen Tel: 01604 715793. in the six North Eastern counties of I Postcode Telephone 1/We enclose the membership subscription of £ Some "fire" cried, which some denied, Ivers. In all, the listener is conveyed E-mail: Ireland." J J <« | Please i ni'iplele and return with payment to: the unmistaken message of pride Irish and a donation of £ towards the CA's campaigning But said the earth had quaked: Thp Ge 11 [email protected] - Sean MacBnde, ! "'" Secretary, Liberation, tenner Brockway House. 37-39 Great Guildford Street. Southward Americans feel for their roots back The girls and boys with hideous noise | London SF' CFS lei 0171 633 9588; fax 0171 229 5831: email [email protected] Return to: CA, 244 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8]R 1983 Nobel Peace Prize recipient home in Ireland. Ran through the town half naked. Imsh ftrmoriur Adflnn Is tnall: The Peter Berresford Ellis Column A subtle wind of change On a recent trip to the six This new soul searching is merely an impression garnered in a few days and I am not saying that it is counties Irish Democrat columnist an impression that one can set any store by. The sit- uation is still too volatile to make prophecies. It is Peter Berresford Ellis witnessed merely something that I have never encountered the hesitant stirrings of change. before in the 'loyalist heartland'. To balance the picture I must point out that the However, he warns that many sectarian 'loyalists' are as active as ever they were. obstacles remain on the road to a By mid-November alone there were 150 'loyalist' aitacks since the 'peace' agreement. Catholics still peaceful and just settlement face sectarian attack - yes, even in Antrim town. One woman, living in a mixed area, expressed her n my October column, I recalled my first visits fear, as many of her neighbours had been burned out to the six counties in the 1960s as a young even in recent months. journalist. That brought on an irresistible urge Union flags and St George crosses, and the red, to go back again to see if things had changed white and blue kerbstones are still in many areas of since the Good Friday agreement. November of Antrim. Driving down from Bushmills to last year found my wife and I once more in the Ballymoney on the road to Ballymena and seeing siIx counties. The last time we had been there was in this phenomenon, one does despair of change. Years the summer of 1995. This time we made it a purely ago, the flags came out only in July and August, but 'incognito' visit. We made Antrim town our base these days they seem a fixture. and paid trips to Belfast, Derry, Larne and Having visited the Bogside in Derry - the city Ballvmena among other places. We even went down centre having changed incredibly with new build- the Shankill in Belfast - the last time I had been ings and supermarkets rising in every direction - we down there was 25 years ago. It was still as set off for Letterkenny in Donegal. To my amaze- depressing as ever. ment, there was no visible sign of the border previ- One could say that there was a curious air of ously marked by British soldiers and RUC check- unreality. During the whole time, I counted only points and patrols. We were into Donegal before I four RUG men and caught sight ol three RUG vehi- noticed it and only when I encountered the bilin- cles but no sign of any soldiers even on the Donegal gual signs did I realise that we had made the transi- border. I cannot say that one did not feel their tion. Nor were their any signs coming back. threatening presence. Only the grim military/RUC fortresses remain We were just lucky. Had we been in Lurgan, it with green painted corrugated high walls, barbed would have been a different picture. On the week- wire and surveillance cameras, as a reminder that end of November 21-22 the RUC were busy pro- the military presence has not 'gone away' but, voking Catholics and firing plastic bullets at the behind those forbidding structures, soldiers still protesting crowd which gathered in response. wait, armed and ready, to moved back onto the Then there was the fact of the murder of Brian horrified to find that after the Williamite conquest, the garrison at Randalstown, and John Orr, who was streets at the slightest provocation. Service by a 'loyalist' death squad in North Belfast the same Penal Laws against Catholics had been forced to flee to America, were leading republicans. It is an uneasy 'peace'. at the beginning of the month. His death brought to enforced against Presbyterians. The freedom their The truth is coming out. Now the young ~ In Ballymena, founded by Scottish Presbyterians 15 the number of nationalists killed by these crazed 'glorious forefathers' had shed blood for was the' Presbyterians are learning that, &r from all republi- jfl? the 17th Century, and the location of Paisley's bigots last year alone. And 'loyalists' have the audac- freedom of a radical Irish republic; no more nor less. cans being 'Teigs', here, in this Ulster Presbyterian •