Nationalism
Nationalism is a word which readers will find oft-repeated in the original articles which comprise An Claíomh Solais, and this may lead to some confusion, since great efforts have been made of late to redefine the word “nationalism” and transform its meaning into a pejorative, negative and undesirable one.
The interpretation certain parties have tried to impose upon the word nationalism is that of an aggressive and xenophobic tribal instinct, opposed to any culture not its own, and which defines itself and measures its success only by the harm it can cause to others.
Those who would have otherwise described themselves as nationalists have recently fallen back on the somewhat milder term of “patriot”, although they are hard-pressed to explain the difference when asked.
It is thus worth taking a moment to correctly define nationalism, both in its historical sense and in the sense it still has today, despite the best efforts of those who would have difficulty finding gainful employment beyond the ill use to which they put their limited faculties.
Nationalism in the only correct sense is an idea and movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state. As a movement, it tends to promote the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people), especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its perceived homeland to create a nation-state.
It holds that each nation should govern itself, free from outside interference (self-determination), that a nation is a natural and ideal basis for a polity, and that the nation is the only rightful source of political power.
It further aims to build and maintain a single national identity, based on a combination of shared social characteristics such as culture, ethnicity, geographic location, language, politics (or the government), religion, traditions and belief in a shared singular history, and to promote national unity or solidarity.
Nationalism, therefore, seeks to preserve and foster a nation's traditional culture.
The opposite or opposing force to nationalism can, according to its correct definition, only be colonialist hegemonic imperialism, the aggressive imposition of hostile overt or subversive exterior forces upon a nation with the intent to disrupt and destroy that nation, invariably for the purposes of gross profit.
This Irish nationalist publication invites those who are invested in fostering an alternative definition to take their sentiments to any developing country in the world and gauge the value of their efforts by the response they get.
The Irish nationalist project is not a 'petty nationalist' project but a civilisational project - at heart it has always been about the restoration of a distinct civilisation.
Images like those portrayed in the Book of Kells are of real value as an opening key to appreciating that complex and intricate civilisation. Visual monuments of this sort are the most accessible means of entering into imaginative sympathy with those who came before, and a first step toward a realisation of the return of Gaelic culture.
The project will follow in their footsteps along the path laid down by Hyde, O'Conaire, MacNeill, Cusack and many others through sharing news, ideas, articles of Irish cultural interest and more, as well as helping to support Irish language and cultural initiatives. You can find out more about An Claíomh Solais by clicking on the buttons below, or join our team as we begin the great Gaelic restoration!
A marvellous description by Liam Bulfin
A marvellous description by Liam Bulfin in United Irishman ar 21 Aibreán 1906. Give us ten such men and English will be a second language in a generation!
“This is Pádraig Ó Dálaigh, General Secretary, a southerner. He can work 12 and 15 hours a day. He has a perfect constitution. With care he may live to eat square meals in the 21st century. He seems to have lived a long time already although his face is under the 30 limit. It is his brain that is old. His heart and all the rest of him are young ...
Under my personal observation he has
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Mionn
I n-ainm Dé,
Dar Críost a Aon-Ṁac,
Dar Muire a Ċaoṁ-Ṁáṫair,
Dar Pádraic Apstal Gaeḋeal,
Dar dílseaċt Ċuilm Ċille,
Dar clú ar gciniḋ,
Dar crú ar sinnsear,
Dar dúnṁarḃaḋ Aoḋa Ruaiḋ,
Dar bás truaiġṁéileaċ Aoḋa Uí Néill,
Dar oiḋeaḋ Eoġan Ruaiḋ,
Dar mian an tSáirséalaiġ le huċt a ḃáis,
Dar osna éagcoṁlainn an Ġearaltaiġ,
Dar créaċtaiḃ cróil
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Collapse of the Terror
British Rule's Last Stages
What the Elections Meant
We have seen how in ancient Ireland the people were themselves the guardians of their land, doing all for themselves according to their own laws and customs, as interpreted by the Brehons, which gave them security, prosperity, and national greatness, and how this was upset by the English determination to blot out Irish ways, when came poverty, demoralisation and a false respect for English standards and habits.
The English power to do this rested on military occupation and on econ
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The Parting of Goll From His Wife
When they are shut up by Fionn on a sea-girt rock, without chance of escape.
A Dialogue
(Goll speaks)
The end is come; upon this narrow rock
To-morrow I must die;
Wife of the ruddy cheeks and hair of flame,
Leave me to-night and fly.
Seek out the camp of Fionn and of his men
Upon the westward side;
Take there, in time to come, another mate.
Here I abide.
(Goll's wife replies)
Which way, O Goll, is my way, and thou perished?
Alas! few friends have I!
Small praise that woman
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The Great Lamentation of Deirdre for the Sons of Usna
"As to Deirdre, she was a year in the household of Conchobar, after the death of the Sons of Usna. And though it might be a little thing to raise her head or to bring a smile over her lip, never once did she do it through all that space of time.... She took not sufficiency of food or sleep, nor lifted her head from her knee. When people of amusement were sent to her, she would break out into lamentation:—
Splendid in your eyes may be the impetuous champions
Who resort to Emain after a foray;
More brilliant yet was the return
Of Usna's h
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Coolock and the Union Jack
In recent days there's been an uproar over the appearance of the Irish tricolour, symbol and standard of the Republic, waving alongside the Union Jack during protest marches in Belfast. Outrage has been expressed in the halls of power from Dáíl Éireann to Stormount to Westminster. And in fairness it is quite a picture – not something you'd see every day.
But what do we really see when we look at this picture? Should we take it at face value or should we have a conversation about the cause and context of this undoubtedly historical event? Not a hi
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