Language and Autonomy
In commenting on M. Frederick Ryan's latest article in Dana and our reply thereto, our confrere the United Irishman writes : "An independent Ireland speaking English is conceivable, and a nobler conception than a fettered and content Ireland, speaking Irish." We reply that an Ireland speaking English would not be Ireland at all. Ireland is Ireland in virtue of possessing certain characteristics, of which we claim her language to be one.
The extinction of Irish postulated, the people which we should have in this country, whatever else it might be, would not be the Irish Nation, for it would have parted with an integral portion of that in virtue of which it was the Irish Nation. Like our contemporary, we have returned to this discussion only for the purpose of removing any misapprehensions which may exist as to our view; and we shall take leave of it by putting that view in this shape, a shape in which we think the United Irishman can accept it, viz., that freedom is a condition of unfettered national development, and may be a condition of continued national existence, but it is not itself an essential of nationality.
The writer of these lines believes, as an individual, that complete political freedom is necessary to the continued existence of the Irish Nation, though, for obvious reasons, he cannot propagate such a belief in AN CLAIDHEAMH SOLAIS : his acceptance of that position, an acceptance as full and complete as the United Irishman's own, does not, however, blind him to the fact that Ireland unfree is still a nation, and that Ireland free might not he a nation.
But, in reality, this opposition of "a free English-speaking Ireland" to "a fettered and content Irish-speaking Ireland"—which, by the way, did not emanate with us—is unhappy and misleading. Whatever the Gaelic League tends to do, it certainly does not tend, as none recognise so fully as our contemporary, to rivet the chains which shackle the limbs of Ireland, and prevent her from marching on to the fulfilment of her destinies.
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An Interview with Patrick Quinlan from the National Party
Welcome to another in our series of interviews with prominent figures and rising stars in contemporary Irish nationalism!
Today we're talking to Patrick Quinlan from the National Party, a rapidly growing and influential political organisation in Ireland, one of the few if not the only such group with actual elected representatives. Read on to learn about engaging with the system, winning hearts and minds, and the political future for Irish nationalism!
Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with?
I'm Patrick Quin
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An interview with Rob Carry
Good afternoon! As part of our ongoing series on rising nationalist stars and voices in Ireland, we're delighted to be able to introduce local community activist, businessman and politician, Rob Carry!
We've been talking about his amazing work for and with his community, as well as his aspirations and plans for the future.
ACS: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background, and where you're coming from?
RC: Sure. So I’m a small business owner (I run a commercial gym, a martial arts club
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An Interview with Gavin from Offgrid Ireland
Good morning and welcome to another in our series of interviews with prominent figures and rising stars in modern Irish nationalism!
Today we're talking to Gavin from a prominent and influential online discussion group, the X SPACES Éire Community. This very active group has at one time or another hosted many well-known nationalist names and continues to grow in both size and influence.
ACS: Can you share with our readers some of your background and a little about who you are?
OI: I am an Offaly man, born and bred, now in my la
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A New Voice For Ireland
We are pleased to introduce a new rising star among Irish nationalists - although she needs no introduction for many of you who have attended Irish Ireland protests recently - Ciara Ní Mhainnín! Her uncompromising voice offers a clear challenge to the establishment and a great example for us all to follow.
Ciara very kindly took the time to join us in an online interview, which we are delighted to publish here.
ACS: What made you decide to get involved with the Irish Ireland cause, was there one particular event or was it more of a process?
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The last address of Thomas MacDonagh
There is not much left to say. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic has been adduced in evidence against me as one of the Signatories. I adhere to every statement in the Proclamation. You think it already a dead and buried letter, but it lives, it lives. From minds alight with Ireland’s vivid intellect it sprang; in hearts aflame with Ireland’s mighty love it was conceived. Such documents do not die.
The British occupation of Ireland has never for more than one hundred years been compelled to confront in the field of fight a Rising so formidable as that which overwhe
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From A Hermitage - DECEMBER 1913
I was once stranded on a desert island with a single companion. When two people are stranded on a desert island they naturally converse. We conversed. We sat on a stony beach and talked for hours. When we had exhausted all the unimportant subjects either of us could think of, we commenced to talk about important subjects. (I have observed that even on a desert island it is not considered good form to talk of important things while unimportant things remain to be discussed.)
We had very different points of views, and very different temperaments. I was a boy; my companion was
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