I was active in Irish northern aid for a couple years in the mid nineties and then the Roisin McKaliskey thing happened and I got very involved in that. I actually felt like I was being useful for maybe the first time in my life. We had a big event where her mother Bernadette Devlin came over from Tyrone Eire and on the day of that event I met her, Angela Davis and Fionulla Flanagan. As the rally was happening it was announced that thanks be to God Roisin had been released. Not exonerated but released. At one point at the beginning of her speech Bernie asked that everyone involved in the committee stand up and be counted. It was probably the proudest moment of my life. I was unable to hold back the tears. The things that the Brits did to her are atrocious and abominable. She was four months pregnant when they swooped her up and they knew full well from the very beginning that she was innocent.
She also once in the early seventies while she was stateside on a fund raising tour ripped up a hundred thousand dollar check that mayor daily handed her publicly and said in front of the crowd that if you don't support civil rights in your own country we don't want you supporting it in Ireland either.
John Riley, a Galway-born soldier who was serving in the 5th US Infantry Regiment, led this battalion. Under Riley, this elite artillery-unit-turned-infantry battalion fought with distinction in most of the major battles of the war until the Battle of Churubusco (Mexico City) on August 20, 1847.
The unit was overrun, dozens of the San Patricios were captured, and many were hanged on the spot.
My El Paso friend Tom Connolly showed me his San Patricio banner of green silk. On one side is a harp, surrounded by the Mexican coat of arms, with a scroll on which is painted, ‘‘Libertad por la Republica de Mexicana.” Under the harp, is the motto “Erin go Bragh.”
On the other side is a painting St. Patrick. In his left hand is a key and in his right a crook of staff resting upon a serpent. Underneath is the name: San Patricio.
While in Mexico City years ago, I sought out the plaque bearing names of those San Patricios who died in battle, with an inscription of gratitude. They are considered martyrs who gave their lives during an unjust invasion. In Plaza San Jacinto stands a bust of Riley.
This Saint Pat’s Day read the novel, “A Ballad of Love and Glory” by award-winning writer and memoirist, Reyna Grande. It weaves a love story into the true tale of the San Patricios. Toast, drink a whiskey and listen to legendary Irish group The Chieftains and Ry Cooder on their album titled, “San Patricio.”
+--+
Longer look at the heroes of Ireland against the racist Yanqui's.
Great article for this St. Patrick's Day, Cindy! Though often overshadowed by Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera, Connolly was one of the most important Irish revolutionary leaders.
The next time you're in the city Cindy go to my friend Pat Maguire's place on the end of Judah street. Pat's family is from Belfast. There's a painting there as you walk in that is historically significant in modern Irish history. It's autographed by the three inla men who executed British agent Billy wright also known as king rat. He was also a commander of a loyalist hit squad and became useless to the Brits. The three inla men who carried out the job did so in prison with guns made out of bars of soap and overtook six armed guards to do so. One of those three men is one of pat's cousins. A movie called in the name of the father with Daniel day Louis was made about his other cousins.
I was invited to meet with Martin when he was deputy prime minister in the Stormont. He was one of the kindest men I ever met. He hugged me and expressed wonderful condolences for Casey. I met Gerry Adams at the Dail in Dublin the same trip. He was nice, but not as warm.
Thanks for posting about this important and fascinating history!
I too adore that St. Patrick's Day meme, makes me LOL! every time I see it.
This is how I spent the day:
Very happy to be performing!
Amazing Amy: Yoga Go Bragh! Celtic Contortion! Shamrock Stretch! Little Old Limber Lady Leprechaun! Riverdance Was Never Like This! Performed in Sunday Afternoon St. Patrick's Day Mixer With the Astoria Filmmakers Club, Sun. Mar. 17th, 2024, 3 PM, Burger Village Astoria, Queens, NY 11103. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4jumGWNsAl/
And by the way, Bernadette is walking around with eleven loyalist/British bullet holes in her and her husband with nine. There were soldiers and ruc hiding across the road from her house when the attempt was made to murder her and her husband. Their orders were to stand down until after it was done.
If you're ever in Dublin, definitely do the prison tour. Book in advance or check the morning of as there's cancellations.
It was chock full of revolutionary history, so many factions ending up uniting here and there to fight the machine.
Near the end of the tour you get to see where they dragged Connolly who was in bad shape and had to tie him to the chair to shoot him.
It made me think of how weak the predator class has always been. They're such cowards that they can't let a guy die by his own accord.
Because what? Because "THE LAW©️™️".
Done and done!
I was active in Irish northern aid for a couple years in the mid nineties and then the Roisin McKaliskey thing happened and I got very involved in that. I actually felt like I was being useful for maybe the first time in my life. We had a big event where her mother Bernadette Devlin came over from Tyrone Eire and on the day of that event I met her, Angela Davis and Fionulla Flanagan. As the rally was happening it was announced that thanks be to God Roisin had been released. Not exonerated but released. At one point at the beginning of her speech Bernie asked that everyone involved in the committee stand up and be counted. It was probably the proudest moment of my life. I was unable to hold back the tears. The things that the Brits did to her are atrocious and abominable. She was four months pregnant when they swooped her up and they knew full well from the very beginning that she was innocent.
I remember Bernadette Devlin and rooting for her when I was a young woman.
She once went to jail when she was mp for jumping across the table and punching another mp in the nose for saying the Irish are sub human.
I love it!
She also once in the early seventies while she was stateside on a fund raising tour ripped up a hundred thousand dollar check that mayor daily handed her publicly and said in front of the crowd that if you don't support civil rights in your own country we don't want you supporting it in Ireland either.
BRAVO!
She's quite a character!
Thanks, Cindy. Wonderful. My Kirk and Abbott sides, well, Irish, Celtic, and my daughter, Makenna, hound's tooth swimmer. Gaelic.
https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/death-and-birthdays-famine-and-luck
Excerpt:
John Riley, a Galway-born soldier who was serving in the 5th US Infantry Regiment, led this battalion. Under Riley, this elite artillery-unit-turned-infantry battalion fought with distinction in most of the major battles of the war until the Battle of Churubusco (Mexico City) on August 20, 1847.
The unit was overrun, dozens of the San Patricios were captured, and many were hanged on the spot.
My El Paso friend Tom Connolly showed me his San Patricio banner of green silk. On one side is a harp, surrounded by the Mexican coat of arms, with a scroll on which is painted, ‘‘Libertad por la Republica de Mexicana.” Under the harp, is the motto “Erin go Bragh.”
On the other side is a painting St. Patrick. In his left hand is a key and in his right a crook of staff resting upon a serpent. Underneath is the name: San Patricio.
While in Mexico City years ago, I sought out the plaque bearing names of those San Patricios who died in battle, with an inscription of gratitude. They are considered martyrs who gave their lives during an unjust invasion. In Plaza San Jacinto stands a bust of Riley.
This Saint Pat’s Day read the novel, “A Ballad of Love and Glory” by award-winning writer and memoirist, Reyna Grande. It weaves a love story into the true tale of the San Patricios. Toast, drink a whiskey and listen to legendary Irish group The Chieftains and Ry Cooder on their album titled, “San Patricio.”
+--+
Longer look at the heroes of Ireland against the racist Yanqui's.
https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/no-mexican-american-war-was-not-that
I know about the St Patrick's battalion from Dave Rovics who wrote a song about it. He tells the story. ☘️
Yeah, old David Rovics .... a long time ago, three years. Yikes.
https://www.youtube.com/live/XnRxBAW25ZM?si=_LUtkpNpkWRevFbb
❤️
Great article for this St. Patrick's Day, Cindy! Though often overshadowed by Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera, Connolly was one of the most important Irish revolutionary leaders.
Thank you and I agree!
Indeed he was. One of my favorite statements of his is why would I exchange an English landlord for an Irish one. Something to that extent.
That is great, Kevin,. Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome.
My lifelong hero, thank you for this piece, Cindy. 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley', is a favorite also.
☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Yes!! I love that Irish is spoken in that film!
great article and movie recommendation
✔️😎
A beautiful heart wrenching song is the fields of athenry
I love Clare Daly! She's a gosh darn phenom! An absolute spitfire!
Two really good books to read are ten men dead and Ballymurphy and the Irish War.
The next time you're in the city Cindy go to my friend Pat Maguire's place on the end of Judah street. Pat's family is from Belfast. There's a painting there as you walk in that is historically significant in modern Irish history. It's autographed by the three inla men who executed British agent Billy wright also known as king rat. He was also a commander of a loyalist hit squad and became useless to the Brits. The three inla men who carried out the job did so in prison with guns made out of bars of soap and overtook six armed guards to do so. One of those three men is one of pat's cousins. A movie called in the name of the father with Daniel day Louis was made about his other cousins.
i'm not going anywhere anymore, though....
Connolly was my favorite!
I'm also quite partial
Saoirse go deo!
Look up Raisin Mckalliskey justice committee!
I once met martin McGuiness which wasn't near as fun as Bernadette. Both events were high alert.
I was invited to meet with Martin when he was deputy prime minister in the Stormont. He was one of the kindest men I ever met. He hugged me and expressed wonderful condolences for Casey. I met Gerry Adams at the Dail in Dublin the same trip. He was nice, but not as warm.
I’ve heard St. Patrick was originally from Spain also.
Thanks for posting about this important and fascinating history!
I too adore that St. Patrick's Day meme, makes me LOL! every time I see it.
This is how I spent the day:
Very happy to be performing!
Amazing Amy: Yoga Go Bragh! Celtic Contortion! Shamrock Stretch! Little Old Limber Lady Leprechaun! Riverdance Was Never Like This! Performed in Sunday Afternoon St. Patrick's Day Mixer With the Astoria Filmmakers Club, Sun. Mar. 17th, 2024, 3 PM, Burger Village Astoria, Queens, NY 11103. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4jumGWNsAl/
https://www.reverbnation.com/artist/amazingamycontortionistuniqueyogadancer
https://www.instagram.com/amyharlib/
And by the way, Bernadette is walking around with eleven loyalist/British bullet holes in her and her husband with nine. There were soldiers and ruc hiding across the road from her house when the attempt was made to murder her and her husband. Their orders were to stand down until after it was done.
Saoirse go deo!