September 1913

What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer, until
You have dried the marrow from the bone;
For men were born to pray and save:
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.


Yet they were of a different kind
The names that stilled your childish play,
They have gone about the world like wind,
But little time had they to pray
For whom the hangman's rope was spun,
And what, God help us, could they save:
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.

Was it for this the wild geese spread
The grey wing upon every tide;
For this that all that blood was shed,
For this Edward Fitzgerald died,
And Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone,
All that delirium of the brave;
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.

Yet could we turn the years again,
And call those exiles as they were,
In all their loneliness and pain
You'd cry 'some woman's yellow hair
Has maddened every mother's son':
They weighed so lightly what they gave,
But let them be, they're dead and gone,
They're with O'Leary in the grave.

WB Yeats

Article originally published on: Monday 8th September 1913

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An Claíomh Solais means "The Sword of Light", and is named after an Irish newspaper originally published around the beginning of the twentieth century. This project is opening a window to that time, not so long ago, and sharing the hopes, dreams and visions of the men and women who founded the modern Irish Republic.

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!

Ode to John Devoy, a Forgotten Hero

A forgotten hero it has been said
Was born in Kill at a time many tears in this country were shed
Just before the Great Hunger this child did arrive
And lucky for us Irish he was one who would survive

An immense gra for Irish freedom he held in his heart
And it was when he was young that he first made a start
In his quest to release us Irish from beneath British rule
He was beaten for not singing “God Save the Queen” in his school

Involved in three wars he was one of a few
To take part in all conflicts and see
Read more...

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
Read more...

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
Read more...

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
Read more...

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?


Read more...

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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