The Fianna
To those of us who are growing up boys and girls will probably fall the task of finally settling the ‘Irish question.’ Now is the time, therefore, for us to consider the course we are to follow and the methods to be adopted to ensure success.
As we are not skilled enough in the use of platitudes, we interpret Irish freedom literally, and as we are not old enough to hide our cowardice behind a mask of so-called wisdom, we realise that Irish freedom must be won by the one method by which it is won in every other part of the world — the sword and its allies.
The history of the world proves that there is but one road to freedom, and that is the red road of war. The editorial, the article, or the speech, however eloquent, which does not point out that road is so much cant which only further enslaves an enslaved people from the fact that it urges them on the false path which leads to confusion and demoralisation.
The freedom which can be attained by oratory, logic, or votes, is not freedom, but a more secure form of slavery, for there is some danger of it being constructed on a plausible basis. The freedom which is not worth fighting for and dying for is not worth having. Such ‘freedom’ the Irish people possessed in the days of Wolfe Tone, but the brand for which we strive is the brand for which Tone’s throat was mangled by the British Government, in the hope of making it repulsive and its exponent an anathema to a deeply religious people such as the Irish.
In these days of practical patriotism we, of the Fianna, without any exaggeration, can justly claim to be the most practical element in the population, though we are but a small factor of it.
We turn our eyes from the loaf, which in one form or another, we see on all sides held up as a standard of nationalism, and have firmly fixed our gaze and concentrated our attention on the dreary cell where Tone was basely murdered; the gibbet which the blood of Emmet consecrated, and on the chains which the bleeding limbs of Mitchel and the Fenians turned into garlands.
Not only that, but we have set ourselves to the task of preparing both mentally and physically for the great day, on the eve of which those of us who have survived will see, with gladsome eyes, Cathleen Ní Houlihan launch Fair Freedom’s ship with the Republican colours at the mast in the blood of the Saxon.
ART.
Michael O’Hanrahan, originally published in Irish Freedom
Art credit: Antoon Knaap
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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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