Our Own Work
A newspaper writer remarked a few days ago that it is very difficult to defeat an armed idea. Even political Nationality is not yet an armed idea in Ireland, and the problem of arming the Gaelic League forces for the pursuit of their aims is not even practical. It is, however, feasible to arm more and more people with Gaelic League ideas, and the work of arming them in this sense is urgently necessary.
Without firm national convictions the people of Ireland might easily and rapidly be swept away from their nationality. The last strands that moor us to the Ireland of the Gael, and the Dane and Norman, could easily be severed. These strands are weak and few, and unless we arm our people with the right ideas they will not even understand the necessity of protecting the moorings. Let us not despise the work of the craobhacha.
Such work has not the official prestige that goes with the work of Castle boards, but it has what they lack, it has the inspiration of nationality, and it provides for all who take part in it the free knowledge which official education denies. We look to all our readers, and we look in particular to the members of the Coiste Gnotha, to set Gaelic League work going wherever a class for Irish or for history, or a choir, can be organised. If we have not official recognition we have in our programme the great essentials of national education, and we need not be ashamed of paucity of numbers or of small class rooms.
With the habit of work a new fighting spirit will come, and there are many things still to be fought for. The happy prospect of Home Rule is not the end. It is but the beginning. When it comes we shall have the willing and eager assistance of Government departments, but, looking the truth in the face, we have to acknowledge that the people are still to be convinced. We will not be content with any Ireland, however free, but one that will look into her own mind, and set up there the image of her true self, and that will work and strive for the realisation of that self.
That Ireland will not be a nation adrift, but a nation firmly rooted in the knowledge of the deeds and inheritance of her people. "There's work for Irishmen to do."
Article originally published on: Saturday 26th September 1914If you'd like to help with producing further articles, please sign up here!
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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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