By Brendan McGovern
As the 4th Annual NYC Chieftain’s Walk approaches on September 15, I find myself reflecting on the deep connections that bind my family’s history to the ongoing journey toward a united Ireland.
This year’s walk, organized by the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation, is not just a stroll along the city’s Westside Greenway; it’s a powerful statement for reunification—an aspiration that once seemed so distant but now, more than ever, feels within reach.
For me, the dream of a united Ireland is not just a political ideal; it’s a personal mission that spans generations. My grandfather, Hugh McGovern, was among the brave souls who fought for Irish independence in 1916. After the bitter reality of partition set in, he devoted his life to the Irish Army, serving his country until he retired in 1945. But retirement didn’t mean rest for him. He became a union organizer for The Erne Hydroelectric Scheme in Ballyshannon, tirelessly working toward a future where Ireland would once again be whole. He held onto that dream until the day he died.
My father, Sean McGovern, born in Ballyshannon in 1935, grew up just four miles from the border. That border was not just a line on a map; it was a symbol of division that left him feeling like a second-class citizen in his own country.
The economic hardships of the time forced him to leave Ireland, first to London and eventually to New York City, where he built a new life. Yet, Ireland was never far from his heart.
At 89, my father remains deeply involved in Irish American organizations including the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the Donegal Association, and the United Irish Counties. His dedication to the cause of a united Ireland has never wavered.
Growing up, I vividly remember the tension and fear that accompanied our visits to the North of Ireland in the 1970s. British soldiers, with their machine guns, would scrutinize us at border check-points as we made our way from Ballyshannon to Belfast to visit my maternal grandfather.
These memories are etched in my mind, as are the spontaneous marches that erupted in Ballyshannon during the summer of 1981, when hunger strikers gave their lives for a cause they believed in. These were not just protests; they were a collective cry for justice, unity, and an end to the division that had scarred our land for too long.
The Good Friday Agreement, signed 26 years ago, marked a turning point in our history. An entire generation has grown up in its shadow, free from the violence and fear that once plagued our country. But the work is not yet complete. Now is the time to take the final steps toward reunification, to bring together not just Catholics and Protestants, but all who call Ireland home, under one banner.
This year’s Chieftain’s Walk is a chance to take action, to stand up and be counted in the march toward a united Ireland.
It would be nothing short of miraculous for my father, Sean, to witness the reunification of his beloved Ireland in his lifetime—a dream that has sustained him for nearly nine decades. But it will take all of us, coming together, to make that dream a reality.
I urge you to join us on September 15 at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City. The day will begin at 10 am with a kick-off celebration featuring traditional Irish music and speeches that will stir your soul. At 11 am, we’ll walk along the scenic Westside Greenway, spreading the message of peace and unity along the Hudson River.
Together, we can make history.
Register today at the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation website: martinmcguinnesspf.org.
Let’s walk for a united Ireland—for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations yet to come.
