{"id":20825,"date":"2021-04-07T18:48:28","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T22:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=20825"},"modified":"2021-04-07T18:48:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T22:48:28","slug":"outabout-115","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=20825","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

Now thank God the Covid-19 vaccine<\/strong> has been developed now more than ever with different pharmacies producing it. Now that more than ever all ages can now get it so here is one example of how it is progressing in Ireland. I am sure that you\u2019ve all heard the news about John Hegarty<\/strong> from Donegal, Ireland. Well would you believe it or not he got his Covid-19 vaccination last week at the good old age of 102. There is a heartwarming video out there with him singing a good old Dubliners\u2019 song \u201cThe Wild Rover\u201d while he was sitting in the chair receiving the vaccination. Check it out if you can as it is on Facebook and has made its round on social media already. Good on yea John, show them how it\u2019s done. This is photograph of John looking good getting his vaccination and ready for a song as you can see. <\/p>\n

I missed an Easter Rising Commemoration<\/strong> event that happened on Easter Monday in Mineola on Long Island. My good friend Marty Glennon<\/strong> was disappointed that I did not attend and he\u2019s right as I should have had. Now the only reason I did not is someone forgot to inform me… now how about that huh? I am not blaming anyone as it is always a busy time around Easter Sunday weekend and with the Covid-19 pandemic it\u2019s not that easy either. The good news is that I have received the letter written by Sinn F\u00e9in President Mary Lou McDonald<\/strong> for publication. Just to let you know, Congressman Tom Suozzi<\/strong> was there as well who is a good friend and a big support of the Irish community as he is also Irish.<\/p>\n

\"\"This is the letter from Mary Lou that I am sure will interest you all. So here goes:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry that we cannot be with you today and hope that we can meet again whenever circumstances allow. Our hearts are broken by the tremendous pain and suffering that the world has endured this past year and to all that have been impacted by this pandemic. We share in your grief and look forward to seeing you again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to extend a message of solidarity on behalf of Sinn F\u00e9\u0301in to all those gathered here today. I want to thank all of you for continuing the commemoration of one of the most historic dates in Irish history.
\n\u201cIrish Republicans at home and abroad, hold dear the vision of the 1916 leaders and the Republic they declared on the steps of the GPO. Especially as we mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland. To, \u2018Our exiled Children in America\u2019 we thank you for your continued support. <\/p>\n

\u201cAt Eastertime, we remember all those who came before us. The lives lost. The years of imprisonment. The sacrifice and hardships of generations. This year also marks the 40th Anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strikers, we remember the H-Block Martyrs. Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O\u2019Hara, Martin Hurson, Joe McDonnell, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee, Kevin Lynch and Michael Devine. They fought in a political conflict. They were arrested under political laws. They were convicted in political courts. They were political prisoners. They are remembered with pride today.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 1981 Hunger Strikers cut off from the world, brutalized and wrapped only in a blanket, took inspiration from the leaders of 1916. One of those that Bobby Sands admired greatly was James Connolly an internationalist, a socialist revolutionary, a Union organizer (and I understand that much of the restoration of this great monument was donated by local Irish Labor \u2013 a further tribute to the contributions of Labor in the Irish struggle). He was also an Irish republican and a military leader. <\/p>\n

\u201cJames Connolly worked and organized in New York and even spoke at Cooper Union in NYC where Sinn F\u00e9in and Irish American organizations co-sponsored a centennial commemoration in 2016. He fought for workers on the picket lines in the US and on the barricades of the GPO. Tom Clarke was another Fenian leader exiled to the US. Where he volunteered to travel to Britain, was later caught and imprisoned for 15 years. On his release, he travelled back to the US to plan for a future rising. Returning to Dublin, he took up his position beside Connolly in the GPO. There is a monument to Thomas Clarke in Manorville where his 60 acre farm used to be. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere would have been no rising without Tom Clarke or James Connolly. Make no mistake, there would have been no rising without Irish America. There would have been no Good Friday Agreement without Irish America. You can also be certain – There will be no United Ireland without Irish America! <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are closer now to a United Ireland than at any time in our history. It is within our grasp. That is the legacy we have inherited. It is the responsibility of everyone here to realize this opportunity and create a new and united Ireland. <\/p>\n

\u201cAn Irish Republic; worthy of the name is the only fitting tribute to generations of Irish Americans who gave so much to the cause of freedom. For when they gather in the future in front of this great monument our children and grandchildren will reflect on the part that each of you has made in the reunification of Ireland. In the lead up to Saint Patrick\u2019s Day leading Irish American organizations called on the Irish Government to plan and prepare for Unity. They called on the British Government to set a date for an Irish referendum as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement. This was but the first step to secure and win a unity referendum. We have much more to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important that London and Dublin hear the voice of Irish America. They had definitely taken notice with the ads placed by Irish American organizations such as the AOH, LAOH, the Brehons, the Irish American Unity Conference and the James Connolly Irish American Labor Coalition calling for unity last month in the Washington Post and NY Times as well as the Irish Echo and Irish Central.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is time to plan for a unity referendum. It is time to give the people their say. It is the time of Irish Unity. Bobby Sands in his prison cell, wrote, \u2018They won\u2019t break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then that we will see the rising of the moon.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u201cFriends, together, we will see the rising of the moon. As the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis had so rightly coined, there is such a thing as Good Trouble and to that, we say, Up the Rebels!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Now I really have to say that President Marylou McDonald wrote a very nice letter and I hope you appreciated it.
\nSee you all again WHEN I am out and about. <\/p>\n

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