A Letter from Ireland
a Chara,
I will be traveling shortly to Nashville, Cincinnati, and Chicago to take part in the Commissions on the Future of Ireland organised by Friends of Sinn Féin. These Commissions complement others that have been rolled out in Ireland, Canada, the US, and Brussels.
The points raised will be fed back directly to Sinn Féin in Ireland. It is an opportunity to be updated on political developments and to be part of building a new and United Ireland.
I am particularly delighted that we will be joined at these commissions by the recently elected Member of Parliament for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Pat Cullen.
Pat is a nurse by profession and went on to become the Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, a labor union representing nurses across Britain and in the North of Ireland. A passionate advocate for health care and the rights of nurses, she led the nurses in a pay dispute and strike. In doing so, Pat gained the reputation of a committed leader, standing up to the British government and delivering for her members.
Pat follows in a long line of labor leaders and Irish republicans.
It was James Connolly, once a labor organiser in Chicago, who said, “The cause of labor is the cause of Ireland and the cause of Ireland is the cause of labor”. The twining of social change and Irish self-determination. Connolly, as Commandant General, would go on to lead the republican forces in the Easter Rising. After the Rising, fatally wounded and unable to stand, and he was tied to a chair and executed by the British.
Social change, the betterment of all people, and constitutional change are the defining characteristics of Irish Republicanism and patriotism. A love of country and people.
Some seek to define patriotism by national symbols, narrow identity politics, and self-interest. The leaders of 1916 sought to unite, not divide, the people. Building an Irish Republic that was a home to all who share our Island.
We now have the opportunity to unite our country and build a republic true to the vision of Connolly, the leaders of 1916, and all who followed.
This will not be without its challenges, but that is the nature of driving change. Challenges that collectively we all can and must meet.
I hope that you can come along and meet with Pat in Nashville, Cincinnati, or Chicago. To hear of political developments in Ireland and to discuss the way forward.
Together, we can all build a new and united Ireland.
I hope to see you along the road.
Have a great weekend.
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America
You can register for the events right here:
Nashville Irish Unity People’s Assembly – May 28
