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SAOIRSE (freedom). The Voice of the Irish Republican Movement. http://come.to/RepublicanSF 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 229 Falls Road, Belfast |
Irish Songs, Ballads and music of the American Civil War by Derek Warfield (Tape £5/CD £10 from Irish Freedom Press, plus postage).
SONS OF ERIN -- Irish Songs, Ballads and music of the American Civil War is the title given to a new album of songs and music recorded by Derek Warfield. The album which was released in March 2000 contains ballads and music of the Irish role the American Civil War. Derek Warfield is familiar to many in Ireland as the leader of the Wolfe Tones.
The album (DWL MC002) contains a wealth of material never heard before. Almost all the songs dealt with the role of Irish immigrants in the American Civil War. Themes dealt with include that of Irish hopes to have an opportunity to put the skills they learnt in American Civil War to good use on behalf of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) Movement. About 2,000 volunteers came to our shores after the American Civil War to assist the IRB put together the rebellion of 1867.
Songs on the album such as The Irish Volunteer and Will you come to the Bower are given particularly striking renditions on this album.
Recognition is given in the album to the fact that Irish people fought on both the Union and Confederate sides in the American civil war. Songs such as Pat Murphy of the Meagher's Brigade recounts involvement on the Union side of two noted Irishmen while the Wearing of the Gray recounts that Irishmen also fought on the Confederate side. A noted Irish patriot to side with the Confederates was of course John Mitchell (Founder of the Young Ireland Movement and author of the famous book Jail Journal.)
This Songs of Erin album as far as I remember breaks new ground in showing through this rich collection of ballad music the connections between Irish people who fought in the American Civil War and the furtherance of Irish freedom through the IRB.
Because of the wealth of material, Derek Warfield the historian and balladeer has come across, a second album is promised. This current one can be richly savoured while the second is eagerly awaited.
The sleeve notes give credit to among others, Joe O'Rourke, guitar, Joe Finn, Uilleann pipes, Séamus Shannon , accordion, Des & Kevin Sherin, Martin Cooney, Peter Wrafter (backing vocals) & Pearse Warfield (backing vocals). All involved in this album can take a bow for the rich tapestry they have woven to depict these important events for us.
This album will appeal to all who like ballad music of a high standard or who aspire to understand and know more of Irish-American history.
-- Helen Ní hÓgáin
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Relatives of those killed by convicted members of the occupation forces have demanded that the culprits be dismissed from the British army.
On April 10, a delegation which included Jean McBride, mother of slain north Belfast teenager, Peter McBride travelled to London's 10 Downing Street to deliver a letter to Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Tony Doherty, whose father Patrick was shot dead by British soldiers in Derry on Bloody Sunday in 1972 and human rights activist Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre were also among the delegation.
In the letter, the first step in the relatives campaign, Peter and Jean McBride said the decision by the British to allow their son's killers to remain on military service was devastating for their family and caused "great anger" in the wider community.
Citing Amnesty International, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Committee for the Administration of Justice as having expressed their opposition to the decision and a court ruled that an army board should again reconsider the case."
McBride's father said: "It is deeply hurtful and insulting that we should have to plead for justice for our son and family. "No democratic society should even consider employing convicted killers in its armed forces".
Scots Guards Mark Wright and Jamie Fisher were released in 1998 after serving less that six years of a life sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Peter McBride in 1992.
Moments after he had been stopped and searched by Crown Forces patrol, Peter McBride in an attempt to avoid further terror fled up Spamount Street in the New Lodge area of north Belfast when he was shot in the back by Fisher and Wright.
Despite their convictions for murder, a British army review board allowed the soldiers to resume their careers.
Supporting the family's campaign, British MP Jeremy Corbyn said: "Wright and Fisher have never shown the slightest remorse for their crime. No other service would even contemplate their continuing employment".
Paul O'Connor of the Pat Finucane Centre said: "A legal decision has been made and it is very much our view that the British government now has a political and moral responsibility towards the families and towards the wider community."
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ON Friday March 25 2000, the death occurred of Catherine Doherty of Drumroe, Currow, Killarney. Catherine was the mother of Portlaoise Hunger Striker Brendan Doherty, Kerry.
At Mrs Doherty's own request the funeral was carried out under the auspices of the National Graves Association of Ireland of which she was an associated member. The NGA was represented by Seán Dougan, Chairman NGA and Paddy Ryan, National Executive of the National Graves Association. Mrs Doherty's coffin was draped with the National Graves Flag on both days and on the second day her Funeral Cortege was led by the Tricolour with Flag-bearer Donie Coffey, Killarney and a lone Piper.
The graveside oration was given by Seán Dougan, Chairman of the National Graves Association of Ireland. "Catherine Doherty was born in Baravehy, Cordal in 1912 into a household that sheltered the men on the run. One of her earliest memories was hearing the gunfire of Tureengarrive Ambush. She remembered the sound of bullets rebounding off their hayshed in Glountane that were fired by the Black and Tans.
During the Civil War their home was often raided and she always remembered her brother John being dragged from his bed one morning and taken barefoot and at gun point through the fields. Her hero all her life was her uncle Phil Connor, the Moonlighter who had served a five year sentence in Mountjoy. In 1974 history was to repeat itself, following several raids on her home in Currow, her son Brendan was arrested and taken to Tralee barracks.
Following his treatment by the so-called Heavy Gang, he was unrecognisable when she was eventually allowed to visit him, but this was only the beginning of her anguish; in December of that year he was sentenced to eight years in Portlaoise and the following February she was to see her son face a second trial, again in the non-jury court where he was sentenced to a further six years to run concurrently.
"As political prisoners conditions were not too bad in Portlaoise when Brendan began his sentence but by 1977, beatings, flooding of cells and degradation were the order of the day. When all other approaches failed volunteers for a Hunger Strike were called upon and Brendan and 19 of his comrades began a fast that was to last for 47 days.
While praying everyday that their demands would be granted, Mrs Doherty never once wavered for her only surviving son and his comrades. At last her prayers were answered and the powers that be decided they could give concessions to allow the prisoners the right and dignity to live as human beings.
"In 1981 Brendan was released but the ill-treatment he had in custody took its toll and in 1984 his life was tragically ended at the age of 36."
Seán Dougan went on to say that the National Graves Association is an independent body formed to commemorate Ireland's Freedom Fighters and restore and erect memorials and care for the Graves of our Patriot dead. When we are at a low ebb we come to these graves to restore our strength, in the hope that a future generation of Freedom Fighters will achieve our aim of a 32-County Irish Republic."
He concluded by reciting a poem by Kerryman and Hunger Striker Thomas Ashe. The ceremony concluded with the bugler Paddy Short, playing the Last Post and the lone piper, Denis Reilly, playing our National Anthem
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Nancy Teehan of Mullingar, Co Westmeath who died on April 26 was a life-long supporter of the Republican Movement.
Right through from the 1950s she was fervent in her commitment to the Republican Cause and held fast during the Workers Party split in 1969-70 and the Provo breakaway in 1986.
An aunt of the Dalton family of Mullingar, she was particularly friendly with the late Caitlín Uí Mhuíneacháin, secretary of the Barnes and McCormack Committee.
At the removal to Mullingar Cathedral on April 28, the Republican Movement was represented by Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Úachtaran Sinn Féin Poblachtach agus Seosamh Ó Maoileoin, Tyrellspass.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to her brother and sister, nieces and nephews.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis cróga.
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BIRTHDAY greetings to Johnny O'Brien, Clonlara, Limerick on his 86th birthday, a true Republican. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.
BIRTHDAY greetings to Johnny O'Brien, Clonlara, Limerick on his 86th birthday, a true Republican. From Joe Lynch and Mick Hanley, Limerick.
BIRTHDAY greetings to Johnny O'Brien, Clonlara, Limerick on his 86th birthday, a true Republican. From Fianna Éireann, Limerick.
CONGRATULATIONS to Martin and Annette on the birth of their baby boy. From the Corrigan/McKearney Cumann, Armagh city.
HARRISON, Greetings to our Patron George Harrison, New York on his 85th birthday on May 2. From the Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin.
HEGARTY, Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick wish Michael Hegarty, Republican Prisoner, a speedy recovery after his recent illness at Portlaoise jail.
HEGARTY, Joe and Nora Lynch, Limerick wish Michael Hegarty, Republican Prisoner, Portlaoise jail a speedy recovery back to good health.
LONG, The Staff of SAOIRSE and all at Ard Oifig wish Des Long a speedy recovery to health.
LONG, CABHAIR (Irish Republican Prisoners Dependants Fund) sends best wishes to Des Long for a speedy recovery.
LONG, Republican Sinn Féin and the Republican Movement in Limerick wish Des Long a speedy recovery.
LONG, Fianna Éireann, Limerick wishes Des Long a speedy recovery.
LONG, Get well soon, Dessie. From Nora and Joe Lynch, Limerick.
LONG, Get well soon, Des. From Christy, Timmy, Jason and Leslie, Limerick.
LONG, Get well soon, Dessie. Love and best wishes from Rose Lynch. Dungiven, Co Derry.
LONG, Get well wishes to Des Long, Limerick. From Timmy King and Christy Dunne.
LONG, Get well wishes to Des Long, Limerick from Jason Murphy, Wesley Fitzgerald and Colum King.
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BRADY, The Ard Chomhairle, Sinn Féin Poblachtach extends deepest sympathy to the Brady family, Bundoran, Co Donegal on the recent death of Paddy.
BOLGER, The Coiste Seasta, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, extends sincere sympathy to the family of Páid Bolger, Cannycourt, Co Kildare who died recently.
DOHERTY, The Coiste Seasta, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, extends sincere sympathy to Margaret Doherty and family Currow, Killarney, Co Kerry, who died recently.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Donnan and family, Limerick on the sad death of his wife Jennifer. From Rose, Dungiven, Co Derry.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Donnan and family, Limerick on the sad death of his wife Jennifer. From Tommy Crossan, Political Prisoner, Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Donnan and family, Limerick on the tragic death of his wife Jennifer. From Ann Crossan and family, Falls Road, Belfast.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Donnan family, Ballymurphy, Belfast on the tragic death of their daughter-in-law Jennifer. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Donnan and family, Limerick on the sad death of his wife Jennifer. From Joe and Nora Lynch, Limerick.
DONNAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Donnan and family, Limerick on the sad death of his wife Jennifer. From his relations and friends, Weston, Limerick.
FITZPATRICK, The Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin extends deepest sympathy to Danny Fitzpatrick and family, Co Down on the recent death of his wife and their mother. Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam uasal.
FITZPATRICK, Deepest sympathy is extended to Danny Fitzpatrick and family, Co Down on the recent death of his wife and their mother. From the McKelvey-Steele Cumann, Republican Sinn Féin, Belfast. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a hanam.
FITZPATRICK, Sincere sympathy is extended to Danny Fitzpatrick and family, Co Down on the recent death of his wife and their mother. From Comhairle Uladh, Republican Sinn Féin.
HOULIHAN, The Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin, extends sincere sympathy John Houlihan, Currow and Cahersiveen, Co Kerry on the death of his mother.
HOULIHAN, Kerry Comhairle Ceantair, Republican Sinn Féin, extends sincere sympathy John Houlihan, Currow and Cahersiveen, Co Kerry on the death of his mother.
HOULIHAN, The Maurice O'Neill Cumann, Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, extends deepest sympathy to John Houlihan, Currow and Cahersiveen, Co Kerry on the recent death of his mother.
HOULIHAN, Deepest sympathy is expressed to John Houlihan, Currow, Killarney, Co Kerry on the death of his mother. From Republican Sinn Féin, Limerick.
HOULIHAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to John Houlihan, Currow, Killarney, Co Kerry on the death of his mother. From Joe Lynch, Limerick.
HOULIHAN, Deepest sympathy is expressed to John Houlihan, Currow, Killarney, Co Kerry on the death of his mother. Des and Annette Long, Limerick.
HOULIHAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Houlihan family, Currow and Cahersiveen, Co Kerry on the death of their mother Nora. From Danny Leen, Brosna, Co Kerry.
HOULIHAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the Houlihan family, Currow and Cahersiveen, Co Kerry on the death of their mother on Easter Saturday. From Donie Coffey, Marian Place, Killarney.
O'HAGAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of the late Tommy O'Hagan. May he rest in peace. From the Corrigan/McKearney Cumann, Armagh city.
SCANLAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Margaret Scanlon, Killarney, Co Kerry on the recent death of her mother. From Líta Ní Chathmhaoil.
SCANLAN, Deepest sympathy is extended to Margaret Scanlon, Killarney, Co Kerry on the recent death of her mother. From Comhairle na Mumhan.
SCANLAN, The Coiste Seasta, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, extends sincere sympathy to the Margaret Scanlan and family Killarney, Co Kerry, who died recently.
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CORRIGAN -- Martin. In proud and loving memory of Vol. Martin (Nick) Corrigan who died on active service, April 18, 1990. Remembered with pride by Corrigan/McKearney Cumann Armagh city.
FITZSIMMONS -- 28th Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of Volunteer Joseph (Joey) Fitzsimmons who died on active service on May 28, 1972 aged 17 years. "Whatever I have done I have done as a soldier of Ireland, in what I believed to be my country's interests I have, thank God, no vain regrets. After all it is better to be a corpse than a coward." -- Seán Heuston. Always remembered by the Joseph Fitzsimmons/James McDade Cumann, Midlands, England.
FITZSIMMONS -- 28th Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of Volunteer Joseph (Joey) Fitzsimmons who was killed on active service on May 28, 1972 aged 17 years. "And our patriotism is measured not by the formula in which we declare it but by the service which we render. We owe it to our country our fealty and she asks always for our service; and there are times when she asks of us not ordinary but supreme sacrifice . . . there are in every generation those who make it with joy and laughter and these are the salt of the generations, the heroes who stand midway between God and man." -- PH Pearse. Always remembered by his loving cousin Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and family.
FITZSIMMONS -- 28th Anniversary. In proud and loving memory of my cousin Joey who died on active service on May 28, 1972 aged 17 years. "We must take no steps backwards, our steps must be onwards, for if we don't the martyrs who died for you, for me, for this country will haunt us for eternity." -- Máire Drumm. Always missed by cousin Stiofáin Mac Lochlainn.
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[Gerry] Adams, meanwhile, faces unprecedented fault-finding within his own ranks for taking the Republican Movement (sic) down a constitutional path that has failed to deliver any of its fundamental goals.
— Maol Muire Tynan, 'Sunday Business Post', April ,9, 2000.
British governments have used high levels of public spending as part of a strategy to 'normalise' the conflict and reconcile sections of the nationalist population to the status quo in the north . . . as a means of controlling potentially volatile groups.
— Kevin Bean, Liverpool University, 'Sunday Tribune', April 9, 2000.
These developments are not unique to the north. Governments throughout the western world attempt to stabilise conflict by reaching an accommodation with alienated communities by using former revolutionary movements as channels of influence.
— Kevin Bean.
Republican (sic) leaders have become conventional politicians working the system and lobbying the State on behalf of a section of the nationalist electorate.
— Kevin Bean.
[Provisional] Sinn Féin is following the path of the Workers Party and Fianna Fáil . . . social forces have transformed the movement into a part of the status quo.
— Kevin Bean.
No wonder David Trimble finds the [Provisional] IRA's latest P O'Neill statement so deeply depressing. The following extract alone must have made him despair: "This conflict is caused by British involvement in Irish affairs, partition and the injustices which flow from that." But partition, and British involvement in Irish affairs, was precisely what the Provos signed up to in return from seats on the Northern Executive. Essentially, Mr O'Neill, that was the deal.
— Tallyman, the 'Sunday Tribune', April 23, 2000.
The Hume-Adams talks were actually an acceptance by the SDLP that politics without the [Provisional] republicans were going nowhere, and with that the republican cuckoo entered the constitutional nest with the predictable results.
— Tom McGurk, 'Sunday Business Post', April 30, 2000.
Growing productivity, a larger labour force and cheap credit are responsible for the boom, not politics.
— David McWilliams, 'Sunday Business Post', April 30, 2000.
Intensive efforts will be made over the next couple of weeks to try and get the [Stormont] institutions restored before the 22 May deadline for decommissioning in the Good Friday agreement.
— Stephen Collins, 'Sunday Tribune', April 30, 2000.
If the institutions are not restored before that date it will be even more difficult to put the pieces together afterwards.
— Stephen Collins.
What was not stated in the internal [SDLP] report is that it is the SDLP's relationship with [Provisional] Sinn Féin which is at the core of the problem. To be more accurate, it is that the SDLP cannot really decide what its relationship with the Provos should be.
— Ed Moloney, 'Sunday Tribune', April 30, 2000.
A large majority disagreed with the garda actions in the siege at Abbeylara, Co Longford. A total of 71% said the gardaí did not need to shoot John Carthy dead, while 16% agreed with the garda action and 13% said they didn't know. A massive 91% said they wanted the garda enquiry into the siege to be made public.
— Report on the IMS /'Sunday Independent' opinion poll, conducted on April 27, in the 'Sunday Tribune', April 30, 2000.
A majority (55%) disapproved of the Orange Order march planned for Dublin 28. Some 29% said they approved while 16% expressed no opinion.
— IMS/'Sunday Independent' opinion poll as reported in the 'Irish Times', May 1, 2000.
Come the month of July, if we are still on the Drumcree hillside, it is going to be the responsibility of the [British] government as to what might happen after that.
— David Jones, Orange Order spokesperson in Portadown, 'Irish Times', May 1, 2000.
There is a very implicit threat of violence coming through from the Orange Order. The [British] government has a duty not to allow those who are threatening violence to win.
— Breandán Mac Cionnaith, spokesperson for the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, 'Irish Times', May 1, 2000.
Earlier yesterday, RUC officers and British soldiers were deployed at Drumcree after Orangemen forced their way through police lines at the Co Armagh church.
— 'Irish Times'.
They [Portadown loyalists] claim to have maintained an Orange presence on the hill beside the Church of Ireland Drumcree church since [1997].
— 'Irish Times'.
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