On 10 May éirígí held its second Ard Fheis. In a mere two years it has grown greatly beyond the original six members based in Dublin.
For those interested in following developments, you can read and view the new rúnaí ginearálta Rab Jackson’s address to the Ard Fheis here.
Tommy McKearney’s and Brian Lesson’s orations at the Connolly commemoration are also available.
The words of Brian O’Nolan, variously Brian Ó Nualláin, Myles na gCopaleen, Myles na Gopaleen and, of course, Flann O’Brien. That O’Nolan was referencing his own dissolute student days at UCD only mildly distracts from the prophetic undertone of his words: I paid no attention whatsoever to books or study and regarded lectures as a [...] read our review »
Great little review of Listening to Van Morrison by Griel Marcus… It’s a short book, not a biography or a career survey, but an attempt to follow those moments in Morrison’s music, as he’s made it from his first records with Them, from Belfast in 1965 to the present day, when something happens that breaks [...] read our review »
Interesting BBC article on an upcoming presentation and talk [Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 17 August] by lecturer and broadcaster Stephen Price on the subject of his new book – The Earl Bishop. The 18th Century ”Earl Bishop” was Frederick Augustus Hervey, fourth Earl of Bristol and Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry. Hervey was also elected [...] read our review »
ah, the alternative to the partitionist and right of centre politics of Provisional Sinn Fein.
Good!!
And not an Armani suit in sight.
Long may it be so.
As long as socialism remains an integral part of any Republican agenda the results will remain the same. Marginal. In order to get a majority of the modern working class behind the cause, socialism must be rejected. Imho.
To Mark McGregor – perhaps you and your friends would like to make a proper comment regarding this act of violence.
“So I’ll finish with the words of James Connolly who said: “We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.”
So you’re preaching revolutionary not constitutional action? Is that armed revolution?
The Fermanagh Beagle Fanciers Club held it’s AGM in Pettigo last night.
If at first you you don’t succeed by all means try again but don’t become bloody stupid about it . The world moves on and the ‘objective’ of an Irish Socialist Republic while of interest to the small numbers of those in ‘Eirigi’ is of little or no interest to the 99% plus of the people actually living in Ireland in the here and now .
Time for Eirigi to ‘Imigi led do thoil’ by the left quick march down the path towards the political and economic grave that history has dug for them.
That said there is political room in Ireland for a radical left but not a whole lot .There is no political room for a new generation of ‘bombers’. Connolly was a brave man but also a man of his time and even though some his words resonate across the decades the fact is that most Irish people distinguish between past justifiable struggle and present economic and political realities .
Revolutions are not made by fat people who drink lots of beer in pubs and spend their time lying on a sofa with a remote control while pondering Dustin the Turkey’s chances in eurovision !
This group will have no impact.
This group has about as much relevance to modern Ireland as those who believe the Giant’s Causeway was formed c.4000 years ago. Both groups deserve to be put out of their misery.
dublinsfsupporter,
I refer you to Cathy Jackson’s reply to Liam Duggan in the Irish News on this topic.
There is now new hope for republican idealists
Liam Duggan (April 25) used the famous James Connolly quotation, “We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times”, to bolster his own analysis of the contemporary political landscape.
His usage goes to the heart of the challenge facing republicanism in Ireland today. For those who believe we live in ‘normal’ times the only avenue open to them is that of ‘constitutional’ action – or perhaps, more accurately, ‘institutional’ action (or inaction) – within Stormont. For those of use who believe there is nothing normal about partition; nothing normal about a ‘permanent’ garrison of 5,000 British soldiers; nothing normal about a heavily armed colonial police force; nothing normal about MI5 spy rings and nothing normal about discrimination, exploitation and poverty the only action open to us is revolutionary action.
Republicanism is now in a state of flux as republicans all across Ireland come to terms with the new political landscape. For many there has been bitter disappointment with how little has been achieved over the last 40 years.
For some that disappointment has turned to disillusionment with the entire concept of organised political struggle. For others, however, that disappointment has been replaced by hope and by a renewed commitment to the long-fought-for objectives of Irish republicanism.
For myself, and others in south Derry, Dublin, Belfast, Armagh and elsewhere, éirígí now represents the best vehicle for the achievement of an Irish Socialist Republic.
Is éirígí the ‘credible alternative’ that Liam refers to in his letter? Perhaps not yet, but to quote another father of Irish Republicanism, Fintan Lalor, “Somewhere and somehow, and by somebody, a beginning must be made.”
In my opinion that beginning was made two years ago when a group of republican activists in Dublin launched éirígí as an alternative not only to Sinn Féin but also to Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the SDLP and all the other establishment political parties on this island.
CATHY JACKSON
Leas Chathaoirleach
Éirígí, Doire Theas
mark mcgregor ,
‘Republicanism is now in a state of flux as republicans all across Ireland come to terms with the new political landscape. ‘
Not entirely true. Some few Republicans have yet to come to terms with the new political landscape but the vast majority have already done so.
‘For many there has been bitter disappointment with how little has been achieved over the last 40 years.’
Do you mean as a reward for the 4,000 dead and the billions of pounds worth of property damage or just in general terms re the NI economy -it’s political party make up or the continuing sectarian nature of this ‘artificial ‘ State? or the fact that there is no UI or prospect of one on the horizon?
To quote an earlier thread
‘There are no clean wars nor intelligent deaths’
Update
‘There are no guarantees in politics’ People are and can be fickle and never forget the great power of inertia nor that every ‘revolution’ is soon enough followed by the scum of a new bureaucracy .
Put it down to human nature .
Rab Jackson,
“I believe we have the ability to win and if we apply our minds and our energies we can reduce the time it will take to drive the Brits from Ireland.”
This statement in itself reflects the lack of thought and the tragic lack of vision for any form of republic that could hope to survive without the Brits who post here.
Boredom is the worst death of all.
Mark McGregor [ref Cathy Jackson’s reply to Liam Duggan in the Irish News]
“Liam Duggan (April 25) used the famous James Connolly quotation, ‘We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times’, to bolster his own analysis of the contemporary political landscape.
For those of use who believe there is nothing normal about partition … the only action open to us is revolutionary action.”
Instead of hiding behind the words of someone else, do you or do you not support the use of violence? Your post above implies that you do.
Any comments for the policeman seriously injured in Spamount village?
It would be interesting to know if, going beyond the rhetoric and flimsy posters and flags in places like the Toome rounabouts, Mark and Co are ready and willing to kill or be killed for “the Republic”?
And what programme does this self-defined socialist, revolutionary group offer to the masses aside from self serving and hollow rhetoric? None that I can discern.
Merely saying that James Connolly was. like, really cool and that socialism is, like, dead cool as well so let’s go and annoy the Queen at Armagh Cathedral and get up the begrudgers’ noses by flying flags and pissing people off seems to me hardly to equate with serious mindedness. I envision that the best of those attracted to it will soon realise its futility and drift away and the more weak minded will gravitate towards whatever remains of the Truly, Madly, Deeply Republican nasty little bombers.
It seems to me that eirigi are putting an alternative to Republicans across ireland who do not agree with the direction of Sinn Fein, i support this and think alot of the posts left are a bit pathetic, seems like the same few people complaining about everything that happens in politics these days, dont dare disrupt the political farce at stormont.
Sounds like most of the posts are saying know one has the right to disagree or put forward an alternative? thats Fascism.
What a waste of time and effort. Revolution’t NEVER happen when people are fat and happy.
Is Éirígí going to contest elections and will it be operating advice centres where it can engage the public?
‘What a waste of time and effort. Revolution NEVER happen when people are fat and happy. ‘
In the 20th century the major revolutions ONLY appeared to happen as a deliberate manufactured programme of ensuring the starvation and misery of the people.
Do words like peasants, centralisation, Mao and Stalin ring a bell?
So I take it you advocate revolution (for whatever noble ends) by means of inflicting a noble and necessary misery ?
It has already been tried and tested.
Here.
If this new republican group is such a waste of time why do so many sluggerites who come from the unionist tradition bother to comment,
Rory
Instead of posting ill informed comment, why not live up to the reputation you have built at slugger, as a well informed commentator and check out éirígí web site. You may not end up agreeing with éirígí, but I think you will find them a serious organization.
comradely regards.
Mick Hall – “I think you will find them a serious organization”
The implication from Mark McGregor’s earlier post is that the organisation supports violence. Like Mark McGregor you don’t seem to have anything to say about the policeman seriously injured in Spamount village.
Eirigi – even their name is designed to alienate the prods – never mind the flag flying and parades (when the orange order does that it’s called – rightly – intimidation).
This is not a socialist group, it is a lurch to the right and into xenophobia. Saying “Brits out” when some 5% of the population is English is akin to Londoners putting up signs saying “No irish” and then claiming they were only referring to the criminal element. Bunch of racists. Connolly would be embarrssed.
In conclusion we say to our fellow delegates with all solemnity that we believe that there are no real Nationalists in Ireland outside of the Irish Labour movement. All others merely reject one part or another of the British Conquest, the Labour movement alone rejects it in its entirety, and sets itself the Re-conquest of Ireland as its aim. – James Connolly
Yes, thank you, Mark for reporting the platform’s quotation of Connolly by which use they would attempt to infer that there are no true nationalists save those in éirígí, no true socialists save those in éirígí,, no true republicans save those in éirígí. And indeed it must be true for éirígí has assured us that indeed it is so and called James Connolly himself from beyond the grave to confirm it.
Unfortunately their juvenile, divisive actions give the lie to their rhetoric and I am not alone in being unconvinced. Rather we can view it as merely another exercise in left wing infantalism and we all know to where such movements are inexorably driven – into the arms of the ultra-right.
Ture republicans are internationlists anyway
Rory,
I don’t see that elitism anywhere, or that division, in fact I saw the opposite in Rab Jackson’s comment that seems the opposite of everything you have contributed:
And, regardless of the assaults, the abuse or the slander we must challenge the problem at its source. We must not, and this is really important, we must not be distracted into battles with other republicans. We know well who the enemy of the Irish nation is and we must focus all our energies there.
But sure if you want to show an actual example of right wing activity or division over claiming it when you disagree feel free. Until then it is just you applying extreme labels with no substantiation to people you disagree with. The abuse and slander he dismisses.
Gari,
You haven’t given up on anti-imperialism now? Would have thunk it ;0)
Here’s me thinking socialism and true republicanism were the same thing.
Gari,
You haven’t given up on anti-imperialism now? Who’d have thunk it ;0)
Here’s me thinking socialism and true republicanism were the same thing.
“Here’s me thinking socialism and true republicanism were the same thing.”
The confusion probably arises because both corpses share the same grave.
If you ever watch programs on UK TV such as Property Ladder, you’ll have noticed that they usually advise the aspiring developer to (a) avoid personalising the property so that you don’t limit its appeal to buyers who share your taste, and (b) identify the market for your property and target your development to that market. It’s basic common sense, of course, but many amateur developers fall foul of those simple rules. And so it is with Éirígí: they have a fantastic property that should appeal to all buyers, but they have blown its mass market appeal by personalising its decor with chic 1960s decor. No one buys the socialist guff these days, so your market for unity is now confined to those who lacked the ability to prosper from a record period of economic prosperity.
Certainly not Mark. True anti-imperialism is also internationalist!
Dave,
“If you ever watch programs on UK TV such as Property Ladder”
You lost me at this point. I’m sure it was a good point and fully understood by any landlords reading but I can’t see any of the éirígí supporters or other socialists you seem to be advising getting, trying to get or caring about how exploitation of property relates to their socialist project. (especially now this has been shown to be a false feast)
Go to sleep please. You are keeping my children awake. I am a socialist but we lost not only the battle but the war some time ago. If you want to form some new movement that will interest people then you need to be a bit more inventive. The 32 county republic will come but not on our terms. Globalisation will see to that.
Well, Mark, I’m an architect, so programs about property are usually interesting to me. Property Ladder, presented by the perennially pregnant Sarah Beeny, focuses more on the human interest angle of the amateur first-time developer as he or she tries to get on the first rung of the property ladder by adding value to a mortgaged property and then selling it to release the added equity with the purpose of reinvesting it in the next step up the ladder, and so on. It’s actually a program that socialists should be interested in because it shows how you can make a lot of money with a small amount of capital, providing you are prepared to work hard. I can, however, excuse socialists from watching Grand Designs because that program is about innovative design that is quite expensive to build, and intended for use as a luxury residence.
Anyway, my point was that adding a socialist agenda on equal terms with a united Ireland agenda will limit the appeal of éirígí to those who are both socialist and republican. Yes, there is a “Duh!” moment in that as you point out that is the specific purpose of éirígí, but the reality is that éirígí would make greater progress if it separated the two. There is a market in the Republic for a party that isn’t afraid to promote its nationalism, but that market is predominantly and progressively right of centre and most definitely not in awe of James Connolly. In Northern Ireland, éirígí also has the downside that its Irish nationalism will limit its appeal to (oddly enough) Irish nationalists, excluding those who are socialists and British nationalists. So, it’s a losing formula.
So let me get this right, Irish republicans, if that is there wish, should not set up a party with an Irish name, say éirígí, as it may offend northern Protestants, but it is OK for the same unionist protestants to have the word UNIONIST in all of their party names.
Let me understand this correctly, republicans at all costs must hide their politics under a blanket, but Unionists have a god given right to flaunt their political belifes.
What is next, a new law to ban the flying of the Irish flag, and you say you want a liberal democracy?
John,
Myself I have little confidence that globalization will last, once China and India move beyond being the West’s sweat shops, do you feel the dying empire that is the USA will not attempt to introduce sanctions or possibly worse, better go back and take a look at the origins of WW1.
but it is OK for the same unionist protestants to have the word UNIONIST in all of their party names.
Mick,
Can I get this straight. You’re using the unionists as a reference point ?
“You don’t seem to have anything to say about the policeman seriously injured in Spamount village”.
Posted by PeaceandJustice
peace and justice
The reason I have not mentioned violence in regarding to éirígí is because that organization has made its position on this subject clear. [see there web site]
As to the police officer who you write was seriously injured in some village, I know nothing about it as I have been in the eastern Mediterranean for the last three weeks and I find it is best to stick to that which you understand when posting.
best regards
Comrade stalin
Sorry but you have lost me with your last comment.
Greenflag
Whilst not a supporter of Mao or Stalin, poverty and starvation was knocking at China’s door well before Mao came along, of course a revolution is the least best option; and all leftists should keep that in mind, sadly far to many lack the imagination to understand what an actual revolution entails. However there are times when sadly due to differing reasons revolution is the only option if people wish to get out from under the yoke of oppression. France in the 19th century, Russia in Feb 1917, October is more questionable, Cuba 1950s, Iran in 1979.
Of course revolutions are tricky things to control, hence my reluctance to rush down that road if a viable alternative is available.
best
sorry, I missed out the English revolution which Cromwell led on my list of essential revolutions.
Two recent examples of crude divisive actions by éirígí in the recent past:
1. The protests on the occasion of the visit to the Church of Ireland cathedral in Armagh by the head of that church to perform a traditional Anglican ceremony recalling the example of Christ’s charity.
What section of the community was that intended to impress?
2. The provocovative and unwarranted flying of flags in Magherafelt which demonstrated only that there were yet some who called themselves republican who could be just as pig-headedly coat trailing as any Orange yahoo.
Stupid. Self indulgent. Offensive. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I have only briefly looked at this thread as I really do have more important things to do with my life. Really. And no, that is not intended as an insult to those who do post here on a regular.
What is interesting however is the fact that an organisation, recently established, that has been very careful not to be offensive towards others, finds itself accused here of being offensive and provocative.
If asserting that the solution to the problems of Ireland, and indeed the world, are to be found through resisting capitalism, imperialism and the new GFA order, are seen as provocative then so be it. In that case I’m all for provocation. Anyone ever heard of conflict theory??
As to the flying of flags and whether or not this is provocative – I don’t think any Irish Republican needs to apologise to anyone for erecting the national flag, and yes, the éírígí flag, to commemorate the dead of 1916. To dismiss this as mere self-promotion is peurile. To equate it with the flying of ‘orange’ flags is even worse, and an indication of how some (yes, a majority in fact) believe that to resist occupation and promote justice is the very same as its exact opposite. How intellectually confused is that? That, my friend(s), is your problem, unfortunately for you.
If it is the case that some people genuinely believe that what éírígí is about is futile (in that the conditions don’t exist for builiding a revolutionary socialist republican movement), they are entitled to that belief. éirígí is entitled to believe otherwise.
I think the real problem here is that there are those who fear an alternative to the status quo. There are those who believe we have reached the ‘end of history’ in Ireland and beyond. I personally concur with Mick Hall’s view as to the future demise of the neo-liberal order.
I suppose time will tell who is correct.
MH
Cuba out from under the yoke of oppression? Take your designer (murdering, socialist bastard) che t-shirt off, and stop looking for US black helicopters. History has shown that by the misery it causes, socialism is a rabid dog, killing those who associate with it. Grow up and realize that Ireland will be united, but you socialist will be fighting the gypsies for camp sites.
Mick,
‘poverty and starvation was knocking at China’s door well before Mao came along,’
Of course but it took Mao’s regime to ‘supervise’ the mother of all Chinese famines in the late 1960′s in which 30 million were ‘allowed’ to die . The ‘party of international socialism’ decided that the offer of American food aid would be too ‘injurious’ to Chinese Communist Party’s pride . Shades of Myanmar in 2008 . Oddly enough it was ‘global capitalism’ via agricultural research scientists (German ) who developed new strains of ‘rice’ in the ‘green revolution’ which subsequently allowed China to break free from the Malthusian population constraint which it had reached in 1969.
‘However there are times when sadly due to differing reasons –France in the 19th century, Russia in Feb 1917, October is more questionable, Cuba 1950s, Iran in 1979.’
Due to ‘differing reasons’ ? Now that covers a multitude . In essence those ‘differing reasons’ can be summarised generally as the ‘haves’ being afraid of the ‘have nots’ . Whether the commodity under dispute between the various factions within any society is political power , economic status , individual freedom , property rights , or freedom to practice one’s religion, it almost does’nt matter . A new order beckons and the ‘conservatives’ try to hold on to the past while the ‘revolutionaries’ reach for a more hopeful though unknown future . How any revolution actually works out in practice for the whole of any society (apart of course from those at the top of any new order) is dependent on how realistic and practicable any new order is in addressing the fundamental issues within any society at that particular time in history.
This is the basic ‘problem’ which eirigi and others like them have to face . Their ‘remedy’ is not seen as ‘believable ‘ not by a large majority anyway.
The ‘oppression’ which you refer to has to reach a point whereby a majority begin to believe that the present order not only cannot deliver a stable economic /political future but shows no sign of being able to adapt to do what is necessary. The situation in Northern Ireland today is that the vast majority while perhaps not overjoyed by the political settlement that has been arrived at -nevertheless believe that it is the only practicable option at this stage for some kind of normal future .
England /Britain in the early decades of the 19th century came very close to ‘revolution’. The growing industrial proletariat had been ‘ignored’ as Britain charged forward towards world empire (globalisation Mark 2) (the Romans being the Mark 1 version). Who now recalls the Chartrists and the various social reformers who emerged out of industrial revolution England ?
Britain unlike France or Russia avoided bloody revolution through political ‘reform ‘ . Also the new ‘ruling ‘ elite in Britain had seen what happened in France when the peasants (or more correctly) the emerging non aristocratic nouveau bourgeoisie had finally had enough of degenerate aristocratic rule .
France of course had another ‘revolution’ of sorts in 1968 . A bloodless one but yet one in retrospect which probably saved France from a civil war based on class and a possible French Communist Party take over?
BH,
‘I personally concur with Mick Hall’s view as to the future demise of the neo-liberal order.
The neo liberal order has not run out of flexibility . It can still adapt to a fast changing world economy and the emerging changes in the world power pecking order . Assuming of course that the USA and other western powers can get past the present property bust /credit crunch fiasco and the current energy price hike . It appears to me that the USA is moving to what has been called a new ‘paradigm’. An Obama/Clinton or Clinton /Obama administration will have to address many of the social and economic issues now being faced by those Americans who have been left high and dry by both the excesses of the neo liberals and ‘globalisation’.
‘I think the real problem here is that there are those who fear an alternative to the status quo.’
That’s just human nature . Unionists feared the ‘alternative’ to the status quo in 1918. The upcoming Lisbon treaty referendum will show that the Irish people are IMO also going to ‘vote’ for the ‘status quo’ even though many will not fully ‘understand’ the detail.
Change for the sake of change sounds like a good option for people contemplating a summer holiday or redecorating a house . For people contemplating a whole restructuring of the social/economic/political order there had better be something tangible and credible to offer the voter . Voters today unlike those in 1918 or in 1969 are better educated and a majority are unlikely to be persuaded by those waving flags or offering political programs based on a world order which ‘died’ almost 100 years ago.
so all the whingers on this site see no fault whatsoever with the status quo in ireland? – no need for change, no need for new ideas, even the republicans in your midst?
Unionists in power have, no doubt, a lot to lose by the establishment of a socialist republic or even for that matter a general shift in a leftward direction, yet i dont and never will understand why working class protestants cling to a monarchical, and exploitative system as though it were the holy grail of their being – unless they benefit directly from it.
Granted, a settler colonial mentality persists, Granted, i wouldnt want to be part of a right wing, brown envelope brigade free state – but thats not what republicanism proposes.
There have been several aborted attempts at republican revolution in Ireland in two centuries and all have ultimately failed, but what persists and echoes through the ages is the idea of a free and democratic country controlled by its citizens. That idea has been extremely strong (1918 elections for example) and extremely weak (1930s, 1950,s 1960′s? today?) but the idea has remained and is alive today. Éirígí are closer to that idea than any other group i know of. they are new, they are fresh and they are picking the rights campaigns and the right tactics.
fair play to yous. keep it up. there are plenty watching and learning
Voters today unlike those in 1918 or in 1969 are better educated and a majority are unlikely to be persuaded by those waving flags or offering political programs based on a world order which ‘died’ almost 100 years ago.
Posted by Greenflag
Anyone who had experience of the UK during the Falklands war or the US when GW Bush invaded Iraq will know just how attractive flag waving appears to be for many people. I do not believe education has much to do with how people decide to vote. Indeed the recent history of the world is basically that of well educated people shitting on those who have been less well educated. Only occasionally do the less well educated behave in such a barbaric manner.
Bush and Blair took their countries to war on a lie that come the elections, the populations of both countries were conscious of, yet a majority reelected them to office. Mainly due to flag waving and saber rattling I might add.
I agree that it is extremely unlikely that a revolution will break out in western Europe in the foreseeable future, but times change and when they do they change extremely quickly.
You mentioned the reforms that averted revolution in the 19th and 20th century, what I find interesting is the rush by sections of Capital to row back these reforms, if I was a revolutionary I would step back and say be my guest, for without reasonable reforms, the masses have only revolution to attempt to attain a decent life.
I believe the neo cons are about the most short sighted people since the Russian and French aristocracy walked the earth, it is this above all else that makes them very dangerous to the future of human kind. They believe wealth and might is always right and such a theory has been historically littered with disasters. For these fools act as if the nightmare 20th century did not exist and the post WW2 reforms never occurred. Even Bismarck understood the necessity of reform if you wish to avoid revolution and chaos.
BfB,
When you are in long trousers and have learnt some manners, get back to me and we might have an interesting debate.
Greenflag,
You do realise that around 90% of voters in the north consistently vote for people who wave flags for an order that died out nearly 3 centuries ago?
And workers continue to be exploited by their employers. That is the base of the capitalist system of production. So whatever changes have happened in the economy at a structual level, there are still conflicting class interests within societies. We are indeed currently in a reactionary age. But we cannot say that it will always be so.
so all the whingers on this site see no fault whatsoever with the status quo in ireland? – no need for change, no need for new ideas, even the republicans in your midst?
Hello. I am wondering if you could point me to the new ideas, because fuck me if all I see isn’t the same stuff trotted out faithfully for the past 100 years.
I noticed eirigi flags have replaced the tricolors flying in Fisherwick in Ballymena while driving past today.
Amusingly enough, somebody in the pub explained them to me as “some Polish thing”, though there seems to be a growing affiliation between Poles and Republicans in some parts of the town which may explain the confusion.
The Dunclug estate has C.I.R.A. graffiti flanked by “Welcome to Dunclug”, “Failte..” and “Witamy na Dunclug” which I found quite interesting. Obviously there’s a Catholic link, but I was surprised any outsider would choose to get involved in the dog-end of our little dispute.
Mick Hall,
“If this new republican group is such a waste of time why do so many sluggerites who come from the unionist tradition bother to comment,”
There hasn’t been a really good row for a while and everyone is jonzing for something to kick off, preferably with juice?
Even worse for the sluggerettes to explain to their worse halves.
do the right thing,
So what you are saying is Step One Collect Underpants Step Three Profit?
Your ideas are intriguing and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
I propose Dustin the Turkey as Supreme Overlord of the Jumbo Roll Island and Van Morrison as Minister for Keeping it Real.
And why not? It’s as plausible as your conclusion.
“What is interesting however is the fact that an organisation, recently established, that has been very careful not to be offensive towards others, finds itself accused here of being offensive and provocative.
As I pointed out in my post which immediately preceded yours, BH, it is not a matter of éirígí being accused of being offensive it is a matter of them being observed to be blatantly offensive and then, by using the words of long dead iconological figures, to attempt to justify such offence as “true republican socialism”.
“We are inspired by Connolly” they would argue much as other self-deluded nuisances claim they are inspired by God or Allah or Christ or (risking Godwin), Hitler.
Whomsoever they may claim to be inspired by they most certainly do not inspire me – other than to utter the ejaculation “Jesus wept!” as, shaking my old grey head, I pour myself a large one.
The Fermanagh Beagle Fanciers Club held it’s AGM in Pettigo last night.
They are legitimate targets to the last man.