Léargas

  The Jackie Clarke Museum in Ballina   This last week or so has been a traumatic time for my family. On-going court proceedings prevent me from commenting on this though it may be something I will return to again. For now let me tell you about a remarkable man. Occasionally, in my political travels around Ireland I would arrive in Mayo and Ballina where I would meet Jackie Clarke. He was a local Sinn Féin Councillor, a life-long republican activist and well known across the county and beyond. He was also a fish merchant and ran a smokery. Jackie would enthusiastically show me some new book or pamphlet that he had recently acquired. But none of us had the slightest inkling of the depth and extent of his passion for all things Irish or his determination to record centuries of republican resistance to British rule through publications of the period. It was only after his death in 2000 that the magnitude and historical importance of Jackie Clarke’s collection...

I have visited Boston many times over the years. It’s a beautiful city and full of Irish and Irish Americans. Despite its sprawling size and population, and unlike New York and Los Angeles, it has the feel of a town where community is important and everyone knows everyone else. It’s also a comfortable place to go for a walk. The first time I visited Boston was in September 1994. It was several weeks after the first IRA cessation. It was the start of a gruelling three week journey across the USA which would eventually take us to Washington DC for meetings with senior White House and government officials. I was given a rousing welcome at Logan airport where I was met by Senator Ted Kennedy and other Irish American activists. I have been back often. Three years ago I was there for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration which traditionally goes on all week – they don’t do things by half! Kevin Fagin from Dublin – Fago to all who know him – and Senator Steve Toland chaperoned us around, i...

The Ard Fheis is over. It was an excellent weekend of discussion and debate and craic. Mayo gave us a warm céad míle fáilte. The Ard Fheis is a big undertaking. It involves countless numbers of people. I want to thank all those who helped organise it and who worked hard to ensure that everything ran smoothly.   Some delegates and activists left for home this evening after my speech but many others stayed overnight to travel home tomorrow. This evening many of these attended the Le Chéile event which celebrates the activism of a small number of esteemed honourees who have given years of service to the struggle for freedom.   This year the honourees were: Cúige Uladh – Pádraigín Uí Mhurchadha (Monaghan) Cúige Laighain – Marie Gavaghan (Wicklow) Cúige Mumhan – Marcus Fogarty (Tipperary) Cúige Chonnacht – Pat Rehill (Leitrim) Canada– Alan McConnell (Antrim) I want to add my personal best wishes and comhghairdeas and to thank them...