A Letter From Ireland
a Chara,
This week I’ve been reading Rita: A Memoir. Rita O’Hare preceded me as the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. She agreed to take on the role for a short period that stretched to 21 years. Her life had been one of a republican activist, shot and imprisoned on three occasions as an IRA volunteer. She became a journalist and editor for An Phoblacht/ Republican New and later Sinn Féin’s Director of Publicity.
Her tenure in the states started in 1998 the year of the Good Friday Agreement and lasted until 2020. She represented Sinn Féin through all of the post-agreement challenges and changes. A steadfast supporter of the peace process.
I knew and worked closely with Rita in our respective roles in Sinn Féin over the years. When it came time for Rita to step aside from the US position I was proud that she had the confidence in me to step up. We traveled around the states to meet supporters and knocked on doors on Capitol Hill.
It is not easy to follow a legend. Many times, it was said, that I had big shoes to fill and Rita would smile. Once I responded that they might be a bit tight, and winked at Rita who threw me daggers. I am 6 foot 1. Rita was 5 foot nothing. I miss not being able to pick up the phone and run things by her.
The book charts the many twists and turns in her exceptional life as an activist. It lays out the development of the peace process and the growth of Sinn Féin. My bookshelves are lined with Irish political books and biographies. This book is more than a historical textbook or an ego-driven modern version of “My Fight for Irish Freedom”.
The voice of Rita resonates on every page including her love of a good swear word where no other word would do.
It is a very human story of a life lived in struggle, regrets, and the costs paid by a family. It also deals with the loss of many young lives. Above all, it is a story of life lived in hope and activism. The belief that there is a responsibility on us all to rise above hardship to make the world a better place.
Years ago a Sinn Fein representative asked were there really going out in a blizzard to walk in a Saint Patrick’s Day parade. Rita responded. “you signed up, you are going to have to march”. It became her go-to rebuttal when anyone complained. She lived it. Rita signed up and marched until the end.
Rita: A Memoir will be launched in New York and Washington in September.
Have a great weekend.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.
