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Hardly
a week passes now without politicians, bloggers and columnists writing about
Irish unity and calling on the Dublin government to establish a Citizens’
Assembly to plan constitutional change. The number of books and informed
academic publications examining and supporting constitutional change have also
dramatically increased.
Under
the banner ‘Together We Can’ Ireland’s Future is busy promoting their major
conference in the 3 Arena in Dublin on 1 October. Their impressive line-up
includes political and community leaders, artists, and international guests.
The group also plans to launch a ‘vision document’ setting out their view of
the future.
Last
summer Sinn Féin announced the setting up of a ‘Commission on the Future of
Ireland.’ The Commission is a unique and ambitious initiative which includes a
series of Peoples’ Assemblies under the broad slogan - ‘The New Ireland is for
Everyone – Have Your Say.’
On
12 October - the inaugural first public meeting of the People’s Assembly
will take place in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall between 7 and 9pm.
The
Commission is extending an open invitation to all citizens and sections of
society to submit their views on the future of Ireland. The opinions of those
with alternative visions for the future are also welcome. There will also be
Women’s Assemblies, Youth Assemblies and Assemblies in Gaeltacht areas. The
intention is to widen the current conversation through public, sectoral and
private discussions.
The
Commission will seek to engage with the protestant and unionist sections of our
people. Our neighbours with a British identity, and the unionist,
Protestant and loyalist members of our community are especially welcome to
participate.
If
you would like to attend the Belfast Assembly you can register for it at www.eventbrite.ie
Submissions
to the Commission on the Future of Ireland are open at www.sinnfein.ie/futureofireland
Prison Privileges.
On my occasional vacations at her majesty’s
pleasure many of my comrades made mementos of their incarcerations from
wood or leather as gifts for family or friends or for The Green Cross or An
Cumann Cabhrach, the prisoner’s dependents support groups. I rarely did
any handicraft work. I lacked the skill sets required. In the beginning my
artistic endeavours were limited to the production of handkerchiefs suitably
adorned with pledges of everlasting love with appropriate symbols. All brightly
coloured with markers. Some were for birthdays, or anniversaries. Some were for
children and were replete with cartoon characters. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
were favourites. Other prisoners painted illustrated and defiant statements of
revolutionary intent. Armalites featured alongside Tricolours and Starry
Ploughs. Or drawings of our patriot dead.
Leather work was also popular. Purses and wallets.
Belts. Handbags. Celtic art work adorned these. And the name of the
recipient. I never did any leather work but by way of bribery or
barter I did manage to gift Colette some lovely and fashionable accoutrements.
Some fine craftsmen emerged, particularly from the cages of Long Kesh. The late
Tom Cahill, despite injuries inflicted on him in a gun attack, was a
particularly accomplished leather worker.
Woodwork too was the demesne of highly talented
crafts men. Especially country men. That is anyone outside Belfast. They
produced Harps and Celtic Crosses. Of all sizes. Some very large
indeed. If I remember correctly there is a full size harp on display in Cumann
na Meirleach - The Felons Club. Alongside a rocking chair. Spinning
wheels were also very popular. I did a small Celtic cross once. I have it
yet. I was unsure of how to reproduce the appropriate Celtic designs to adorn
its panels. Ted persuaded me that he was an expert in fourth century Ogham
symbols. He told me he had studied this ancient and primitive form of Irish
writing. I was very gullible. I still am. And Ted is very persuasive. He
still is. He drew the symbols free hand on my wee cross and I dutifully
carved them out. They are very unique. I have carried that cross for Ireland
and Ted since our sojourns in Cage Six fifty years ago.
Music boxes of all kinds, from little pianos to
wooden hearts also emerged. All finely engraved with iconic romantic images,
names and proper celtic designs. Some had musical chimes which
played when the box was opened. That’s why they are called music boxes I
suppose. Some had plush interiors. They were lined with velvet of a suitably
rich texture and colour. I used to slip a wee note - This music box was made by
Gerry Adams with the date - beneath the lining when the music box maker
was otherwise engaged. I thought it would be funny decades later for someone to
discover who really made their much treasured vanity set. .
Joe Rafter - Floorboards - specialised in making
models of the Travelling people’s barrel shaped covered wagons. Other
comrades produced plaques for all occasions. At times there
were passing fads. For example lollipop sticks or match sticks were glued
together to construct - yes you’ve guessed it- harps and
crosses. But these were never as popular as the wooden ones. I
suppose it was easier to get wood. Match sticks or lollipop sticks were less
available, particularly in the thousands that are needed to make a decent sized
piece of craft. Occasionally some enterprising folks would shape
coins into claddagh rings. I think Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile has a
Fáinne made by one of his imprisoned ancestors.
Once I got a very fine wooden garage made for our
oldest lad. It was painted white and its signage was Adams And Son. There was a
ramp going to the flat roofed car parking space for all his wee dinky cars. I
was very proud of it. Someone stole it from outside our door down in Harrogate
Street. Tom Hartley lived across from us. Number one suspect?
The oldest lad also got a wee wooden sword in its
own scabbard and a wee belt. Now the oldest lad’s oldest lad has it.
Although the handle is broken. But still. It is half a century old after
all.
Under prison regulations handicraft work is described
as a privilege. Sometimes privileges would be withdrawn by the prison regime.
This usually caused uproar. During the blanket protests the men in the H Blocks
were denied all of their privileges. The women in Armagh suffered similar
sanctions.
There were also many fine artists among us. Pat
Magee was very good. So too was Danny Devenney, Lucas Quiqley and his brother
Tommy. On the Maidstone Prison Ship I was moved for a wee while to
dabble in watercolours. I am including my best piece here. Gerard Davidson was
my mentor. This wee yoke lay rolled up in our attic for decades. It looks far
better framed and on the wall, where it belongs. A reminder of The Maidstone.
We forced them to close this prison ship down by the way. But that’s another
story.
Tom Hartley is always on the look-out for prison
handicrafts. A piece I gave him from Armagh Women’s Prison has pride of place
in the Ulster Museum. It used to belong to the late Kathleen Thompson. The
Armagh women sent it out to her in thanks for all her work on behalf of
prisoners. Maybe you have some hidden treasures in your glory hole. Or on the
top of the wardrobe. Or in the garage. Or in your Granny’s bottom drawer.
Have a look. You never know what you might find. These wee
pieces of handicraft work are all part of our community, family and national
history. They are a reminder of our penal history. And they helped
some of us to do our whack.
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