CABHAIR Christmas Swim -- a splashing success!

On a biting cold Christmas morning, ten brave men assembled on the banks of the Grand Canal in Inchicore, Dublin opposite the Blackhorse Inn pub and, watched by a crowd of approximately one hundred people, prepared themselves for a quick lesson in how to sober up and lose the hangover in a matter of minutes . . .

Christmas Day swimmers in the Grand Canal, Dublin to aid Republican Prisoners.

First up for the 'cure', courtesy of the Blanchardstown team were Keith Troy and 'Spud' Murphy, two newcomers who signed up for the swim after being approached by their 'buddy' Dermot on a warm day last summer, when their guard was down!

But full marks to the pair of them. To the two Keith's -- no prompting necessary; stripped off at the turf fire, walked up to the waters-edge and, just before jumping in, even managed to let go of each others hands!

Still on his massive ego-trip and not wanting to surrender the spotlight, CABHAIR's regular 'in-house' bellyflopper John 'the Kidney' Callaghan immediately bullied his younger brother Pádraig into joining him at the waters edge and, after the usual 'Playboy' type pose, they boldly went to where two men with only three good kidneys between them have no business going -- straight into the freezing waters of the grand canal.

Pádraig, fair play to him, later told this reporter that his brother, 'the kidney', should be fully recovered in time for next year's event, although he also said something about "age" and "state of mind" ...

After all the above mentioned 'oul-fellas' had retired to the comfort of the fire and bowls of soup, the young lads moved in: Joe Doyle (15), Jason Gilligan (15), Stephen Clares (17) and Patrick Donoghue (20), all at the CABHAIR swim site courtesy of Ray C, from Clondalkin.

Jason, Stephen and Patrick were apparently told that the canal waters had been heated, such was their enthusiasm to jump in! Unlike their older counterparts, the 'Christmas Crew' had a job getting the young lads out of the water and, even then, the three of them insisted on staying in their swimming togs, with towels wrapped around their shoulders, waiting at the fire for a 'second calling' . . .

Fifteen years young Joe Doyle, meanwhile, swam off on a tour of the canal, going from one Lough to another and back to the swim-site and. I'm told, he possibly done the same length under water as well, although this actually remains unconfirmed as this reporter was elsewhere.

Finally, in a salute to both sets of young and old swimmers, the Forage brothers from Clondalkin, Jason and Ollie, in the age-old tradition in keeping the best for last got ready to earn their sponsorship money in the mobile changing room (their van) but such was their dedication to the job at hand that they both emerged from the van still half dressed and, with young Ollie leading the way and the elder brother Jason too frail to successfully leg it and being frog-marched by the 'Da' Fogarty to the waters edge, our last two swimmers did the business for CABHAIR.

A brilliant morning out for the hundred on-lookers, an experience and great craic for our ten swimmers and a very successful fund-raising venture for CABHAIR, who would like to thank the 'Christmas Crew' for organising the banners, the flag, fire, food and drink, and the music system. Also thanks to Bernard for the 'Mountain Brew', to Dermot for transport and swimmers, to Jay for same, and to Ray C for organising the young lads.

A swift return of any outstanding sponsorship money would be appreciated.

Till next year.
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Aifreann d'Alan Heussaff

Bhí Gaeilgeoirí agus lucht an Chonradh Ceiltigh go láidir ag Aifreann ar son anama Alan Heussaff, a fuair bás ar Shamhain 3, in eaglais Mount Argus i gCrois an Araltaigh, Baile Átha Cliath ar Nollaig 9.

Léigh an tAthair Mac Suibhne an tAifreann tré Ghaeilge. Chan Róisín Ní Chuill iomna in éindigh len a fear chéile Dónall Ó Cuill.

Léigh Róisín an léacht as Bhriotaínise comh maith. Sheinn Róisín Uí Thuama ar an gcruit.

I láthair bhí bean chéile Alan, Bríd agus a gclann. Ortha siúd a bhí ann comh maith bhí Seán Mac Mathúna, Ard-Rúnaí, Conradh na Gaeilge; Mícheál Mac Aonghusa agus Cathal Ó Luain ó'n gConradh Ceilteach, Seadún Breatnach, Seán agus Bláthnaid Ó Brádaigh, Vivian Uíbh Eachach, Pádraig Ó Cléirigh agus Eibhlín Ní Chathariabhaigh.

Bhí Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Uachtarán, Sinn Féin Poblachtach agus Ruairí Óg Ó Brádaigh, eagarthóir SHAOIRSE ann thar cheann Ghluaiseacht na Poblachta.
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A life's work for the All-Ireland Republic, not Leinster House/Stormont

Vol Michael Flannery, Tipperary No 1 Brigade, IRA, pictured in 1921.

MICHAEL FLANNERY 1902-1994

In 1916 Michael Flannery joined the Irish Volunteers in his native Tipperary. He did so by pretending he was 16 years when in reality he was only 14, having been born in 1902.

Mike served with the North Tipperary Brigade of the Irish Republican Army from 1916 until the end of 1925 when he emigrated with thousands of other Republicans to the USA.

He had spent time on active service against British and later Free State forces and was a prisoner in Mountjoy jail, Dublin when Rory, Liam, Dick and Joe were taken from their cells at 3am and executed by firing squad without charge or trial.

He was very active in the US in getting shelter and employment for the Republican victims of Free State discrimination and denial of a living.

Right through the decades with his wife Pearl, he organised and assisted these refugees from Ernie O'Malley in the late 1920s to Andy Cooney in the early 1950s and a similar Diaspora in the 1970s and 1980s.

But all along he sent aid and encouragement to those who did not accept the British partition of Ireland, those who refused to acknowledge the partitionist Six-County or 26-County States. These to Mike Flannery were always part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Not alone did he reject Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Clann na Poblachta but he also refused The Workers Party in 1969 and the Provos in 1986.

In the very first issue of the Republican Bulletin (now SAOIRSE), November 1986 Mike is listed with George Harrison of New York in rejecting the same old "new departure" once more.

He is quoted as saying that he "stands behind Tom Maguire's famous statement" of that time. Nothing could be clearer and when he next visited Ireland in September 1987 he met with that uncompromising Republican in his Mayo home where they re-affirmed their life-long allegiances to the All-Ireland Republic and stood by Republican Sinn Féin.

Tom became Patron of Republican Sinn Féin the following month -- a position he held until his death in 1993, whereupon Mike Flannery succeeded him in that post. It is now held by George Harrison.

Two months before his death on September 30, 1994 Mike Flannery issued his last public statement. He had become a sponsor of the Irish Freedom Committee/Cumann na Saoirse in the US along with Joe Stynes and George Harrison.

On July 24, 1994 Mike made clear his attitude to the impending Provo unilateral ceasefire which came into effect six weeks later (see SAOIRSE August 1994).

He forecast a split in the military wing of the Provisionals on the ceasefire issue, a divergence that did not take place until more than three years later.

He said that if the Provisionals' military wing was really controlled by the Provisionals political wing, then there would be a ceasefire. He hoped that this was not so and that the fight would continue "because it is the only way to show the world the just cause in Ireland".

"Peace will only come when England gets out of Ireland and hands back the Six Counties. Anyone who says different is not thinking wisely", he stated.

Speaking at his home in New York the Tipperary IRA Veteran said that Partition was created by Britain without the consent of the Irish people so the claim to unity must not be abandoned.

Unknown to most people Mike had by then sold his home and donated the proceeds for the re-organisation of the Republican Movement in Ireland on the basis of the 1916 Proclamation and the First (All-Ireland) Dáil's Declaration of Independence.

"I do not agree with a ceasefire because while England is in the North there will be a justifiable war. It is a just war. To fight for the liberty of one's re-unity is recognised world-wide as a just war.

"For example George Washington was described as a terrorist by the British; they used the same tactics back then, but after peace was won, America became a great nation.

The same will happen in Ireland; England is not sincere, never was, never will be; England will have to be forced out . . . it is a lot of nonsense to say stop fighting; it pushes us back another 50 years," he declared.

Unknown to most people Mike had by then sold his home and donated the proceeds for the re-organisation of the Republican Movement in Ireland on the basis of the 1916 Proclamation and the First (All-Ireland) Dáil's Declaration of Independence.

This was the last donation Mike Flannery had to bestow on the Cause. It was not for acceptance of either Leinster House or Stormont or of both. If it was he would have not have parted company with the Provos.

As his 78 years of service to the All-Ireland Republic is celebrated in New York this month it must be ensured that no attempt is made to dilute what Mike stood for.

Already claims have been made in print that he would have accepted Leinster House -- if not Stormont and even the Belfast Agreement itself. Mike's life of service contradicts such allegations.

Less than 10 weeks before his death Mike Flannery clarified his position one last time. Nothing happened in those ten weeks to make any difference.

Republican Sinn Féin claims him as the man who was their Patron to the day of his death. His honourable life cannot be besmirched by those who have been absorbed into the British system in Ireland.

Mike himself has seen to that -- to the very end. Let us live up to his high standards of Irish Republicanism -- or let his proud memory rest.

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Comhairle Ceantair for England, Scotland, Wales

Two members of the Ard Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin were present in central Birmingham on Saturday, December 11. They were there to preside over the establishment of a Comhairle Ceantair to manage the growing strength of the organisation in England, Scotland and Wales.

The inaugural meeting in Birmingham of the new Comhairle Ceantair, December 11.

Delegates from all the regions attended and an Officer Board was elected representing all the Cumainn in the area. The election of Officers was presided over by Líta Ní Chathmhaoil, Ard-Rúnaí, Republican Sinn Féin.

Ruairí Óg Ó Brádaigh, Publicity Officer, Republican Sinn Féin, addressed the meeting, saying, "The reputation of Republican Sinn Féin is one of consistency, people know where we stand."

His advice on becoming inveigled in the British system was "Don't get on the bottom rung of the ladder, that ended up with the Provisionals being in the pay of the British government.

"Although the Government of Ireland Act (1920) has been repealed it has been replaced by the Northern Ireland Act (1998) which, if anything, is even more subversive of Irish democratic rights. The fact of occupation remains."

He continued: "The cross-Border bodies set up under the Stormont Deal had no dynamic, no potential to lead into a united Ireland, and were simply updated versions of institutions which had existed since the 1950s."

He said there was an old Republican saying that "entering Partition institutions was like a banana, it starts off green, turns yellow and ends up rotten. The British plan to abolish political status would compel prisoners to fight the battle all over again.

"The Comhairle Ceantair you have set up today is a democratic, collective leadership which will advance our cause."

Líta Ní Chathmhaoil gave an interesting talk about the Republican Sinn Féin and SAOIRSE websites and the value of the Internet for publicity, and reported a huge increase in 'hits' on those websites.

A one-minute silence was observed in honour of Republicans who had died in England, Scotland and Wales over the past decades and also for Éamon O'Doherty who died last October, and whose funeral took place in Carrick-on-Suir.

Greetings were sent from the new Comhairle Ceantair to all prisoners faithful to the All-Ireland Republic and to the Ard Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin for its principled position throughout.
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