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SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald appealed to voters to back her party’s candidates in the upcoming local and European elections during a speech at a 1916 Rising commemoration event at Arbour Hill Military Cemetery in Dublin today.
She described the leaders of the Rising as “the change-makers” of their day and said, “That mantle of change-maker falls to you, to this generation, to make change happen in our communities, to make change happen right across Ireland.”
The Dublin TD’s speech covered history, domestic politics and foreign affairs, with a strong emphasis on the upcoming June elections.
McDonald said that while Ireland’s place “is within the European Union”, the party would only support EU policies “when they are good for Ireland”.
“For far too long Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have been far too deferential to the European Union. Sinn Fein is different,” she said.
She also said that electing as many Sinn Fein councillors as possible in June’s local elections was part of the solution to the housing crisis.
She praised Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill for “(proving) herself to be true to her word” when she promised to be a “First Minister for all” in Northern Ireland, while also saying that the “destiny of the Irish nation is on the horizon”.
She also said she believes the public would “relish” a general election.
McDonald told the crowd she believes the June local elections are the most “for a generation”.
She also said: “The work done by local authorities is so important and takes on an even greater importance because of the housing crisis. Electing as many Sinn Fein councillors as possible is part of the solution.”
McDonald also criticised independent TDs who plan to approve newly appointed Fine Gael leader Simon Harris as the next Taoiseach, as she repeated her calls for a general election, something opposition parties called for in the wake of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s surprise resignation.
She also called for Moore Street, where 1916 leaders met before the Rising, to be protected and restored, “not torn down in the name of profit”
“The streets, laneways and buildings touched by rebellion belong to our history. Arbour Hill is the final resting place of the leaders of the rising.
“The terrace at Moore Street was their final meeting place.It must be protected and restored as the birthright of future generations, to drive exciting regeneration of Dublin’s north inner city, not torn down in the name of profit.
“We will never surrender our revolutionary history and we will keep fighting for Moore Street,” she said. That line received applause from the gathering.
McDonald, a former MEP herself, set out her party’s position on the European Union.
“We need to leave it all on the pitch,” she said of the upcoming campaign.
“Ireland’s place is within the European Union, but we also know that the Irish people are best placed to make the decisions that affect them, particularly on issues such as foreign affairs, taxation and investment in public services,” she said.
“We believe passionately in the independence of Ireland’s foreign policy, in defending our military neutrality, in standing up for a Common Agricultural Policy that delivers for family farmers.
She touted the candidacy of two Sinn Féin politicians running for a Dublin constituency seat in the EU Parliament.
“Lynn Boylan and Daithi Doolan are not afraid to stand up for Ireland,” she said.
“That is why we must leave it all on the pitch to get them elected to the European Parliament.”
McDonald also said Israel should “end its slaughter” in Gaza.
“The struggle for freedom and peace in Ireland has always connected with freedom struggles throughout the world. Today, our thoughts are with the people of Gaza who have, over the last seven months, endured genocide,” she said.
“Israel’s onslaught on Gaza is the gravest human rights violation of our time, broadcast live across television and social media.
She said the Israeli government “must be held accountable”.
“We call for an immediate, full, and permanent ceasefire. We know from our own history that no conflict is intractable.
“Peace is a question of will.”
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Brilliant stuff Christine – looking forward to seeing how this pans out over the coming hours/days :)
This is a brilliant read! Thanks guys!
Thanks Damien, much appreciated.
Policeman has just been shot outside Dublin Castle. This is getting serious. I’m going down to the GPO, my brother works there as a messenger,he might know what’s going on in the city.
Me and my sister are heading to the Jacobs factory. Heard all the shops close by are vacant. We haven’t eaten in a few days . Mam told us to stay away bu she’s looking after our little brother now and I don’t think she will be angry when we bring back food. She looks so sad recently. We really can’t wait to put a smile on her face. I’ll let ye know how we get on
We’re standing on bishop’s street now. The shops aren’t vacant they are all smashed up. There is food we could never imagine eating just sitting there. Come on Mary let’s get it. “That’s stealing christy, mam will kill us for doing that”. Look if we don’t take it someone else will,and look at all that bread and cakes. Jesus we could eat for a week on that stuff. I know it’s missus murphys shop but she’s always been good to us and I think if it’s going to be taken shed like us to have it. You wait here Mary I’ll go and get it yiu just let me know if anyone comes ok? “OK christy but be careful the army are everywhere “. I’ll be grand , just imagine the feed we are going to have tonight
Mary here. Here come christy now . I’ve beverage seen such a smile on his face . Look at all that food he has . He was right we will eat for a week on what’s in his arms. …why has he stopped running? “Chrisy get up your after dropping all the food” “CHRISTY ….CHRISTY … CHRISTY”. he’s not moving. I have to go and see what’s wrong . I’m coming christy … Jesus what’s that pain … I can’t stand . Mam is going to be really angry with us now I think
I really hope the rebels help achieve freedom. Can you imagine if in 100 years time we have streets full of British shops, buy British goods, support British football teams and watch British TV….what a travesty that will be! ;)
And a bunch of Tories running the country.
I was just talking to one of the rebel fighters, I found a pistol on the ground and I’m joining them. I see what they are trying to achieve,I couldn’t before but she made me see it has to stop. I want my grandchildren to live as Irish citizens and in control of their own destiny. Shots are being fired now, this is madness. I’ve never used a gun before but if anyone believes in a free Ireland, join us. This is our chance.
Bugger….I was all set to go
Great idea , this will be interesting . well done TheJournal. !
What a great idea Christine and the Journal. On bus into town and half expecting to hold witness
Thanks Lucy, appreciate that. Be careful out there :)
Christine, a man named Pearse read out a Proclamation outside the GPO over 40 minutes ago. He was declaring Ireland a Republic,whatever that is. People don’t know what’s going on, my brother was evacuated from the GPO but I can’t find him. Now Davy’s pub at Portobello has been stormed.
Be careful if you go out looking for your brother. There are British troops around Sackville Street trying to get close to the GPO and there’s a good bit of gunfire between the two sides right now. You might want to leave it for a while and see if he can make it home by himself.
I’ve just spoken to your brother, He said meet him down by the five lamps.
Me Ma is looking for us both, she s going around the city. I think my brother is sending messages to other rebels in the Jacobs factory…
I hear there were Boos and jeers when he read it out. This seems very unpopular.
I don’t see how these fellas are going to change anything. Not against the might of the British. Sure what advantages will we have by being separate anyway?
Brilliant idea! I’m refreshing every few minutes. My poor battery
Well done Christine and Co. Fascinating reading. I didn’t realise that there was a Finn and a Swede taking pot shots from the GPO as well. Great to read the minute by minute account though. Maybe the rebels will win this time.
Thanks Sean, appreciate it. The story of the Finn and the Swede is so interesting. They were both in the GPO all week. It seems the Swedish man made it home soon after the Rising, but the Finnish man was kept prisoner in Kilmainham afterwards. You can read more about it here, if you’re interested: http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/ordic-rebels-%E2%80%93-the-swede-and-finn-who-fought-in-the-gpo-1916-1230007-Dec2013/
Thanks for that. Really interesting side story. A close relative was in the GPO fighting. I should imagine that they crossed paths at some stage. I’ll never know though. He was imprisoned in Wales though but was released at Christmas along with the others in Frongoch.
Just seeing this article now. Brilliant stuff Christine!
Thanks very much. There’ll be a good bit of stuff about your namesake to come over the week!
But it wasn’t a hundred years ago today it was was only ninety-nine years and eleven months.
We had this discussion a lot about whether to do this on the actual date of the anniversary or on the date when all the State commemorations are taking place. In the end, we decided to go with the latter. We will of course still be doing a series of articles on the actual dates (24th April – 29th April) but this liveblog will be following events from when they began on Easter Monday 1916.
Anyone got any thoughts on this, feel free to throw me a mail. I’m christine@thejournal.ie.
How about a bit of coverage for events outside Dublin?
If you made a decision to follow events the events of Easter Monday, you’d be doing them on April 24th.
This is NOT the centenary.
In 1916, was the day chosen because it was April 24th or because it was Easter Monday? Go for it Journal.
Hi Christine some very valid points there can we discuss this further over dinner perhaps?
Well it took place in Dublin, Why don’t you tell us what’s going on outside of Dublin?
@Jason: You can see all of our coverage here (including some events from around the country yesterday in the liveblog, and there’ll likely be some later today too): http://www.thejournal.ie/1916/news/
@OU812 I understand where you’re coming from on this, and as I said above, it was something we talked about a lot – but since all of the main commemorations are taking place this week, we decided to run the liveblog now to coincide with Easter Monday.
@Pat Mangan: Thanks, much appreciated!
Ciaran, Enniscorthy rose too; it’s why the state are holding a full ceremony here today. Enniscorthy rose and didn’t surrender until may 1st.
@I Pee Freely: Let me get through today’s liveblog first :)
Well Christine…tis a work of fiction. I can clearly see trams working in those pictures.
Out of curiosity, when did the State or indeed its people decide to commemorate Easter Monday’s rising every Easter Sunday?
I call for a joint blog so, For the comrades of Enniscorthy to be included and be remembered for there brave stand with the Men and woman of the Dublin Rising. Their story is seldom told. Go Raibh Maith agat.
Hi Christine, The text in the article is almost unreadable in “night mode”, a lighter colour is needed.Thx.
Yes but most of us will be at work that day.
Jeez,
From reading the comments above you can see one of the reasons why the Rising was doomed to failure.
Lads, its only makey-uppey, it isn’t really happening so suspend disbelief for a while and just go with it ffs.
It was mad to go digging trenches in the Green, they should have taken Dublin Castle instead.
Enniscorthy is the place to be today. Full state service and air corps flyover. Community based events. Weather great, gonna be a great day for an old historic and proud town.
Ah Jason you’re ahead of our time.
Great idea.
Thanks Dermot, much appreciated. Solid surname you’ve got there by the way :)
Mayhem! I’m gonna cycle into town via the backstreets now and help myself to that cutlery in Clery’s that I couldn’t afford yesterday. WOOHOO!
Balls, I slept it out! Next time around I’ll be there, lads.
I’m still looking for me brother. Mr Doyle from Great Britain street says that he saw him running from the British soldiers at Kingsbridge Railway station. I hope he’s alright, he was carrying messages for the Rebels. If they catch him,he’s in for it. I made my way back to the GPO, one of the soldiers left me in through the boarded up window so I can wait for him. The mood is so tense now. The Rebels know the Lancers are going to want revenge for the killings outside.
This is great stuff, proud Irishman following along here from Canada
Great stuff
They took the GPO at 11.45. Think that’s import.
They were freedom or resistance fighters
Have been following this all day… Just fantastic. Looking forward to tomorrow’s updates. Safe home……
Really gives a sense of what went on back then. Thanks for the live blog Christine.
Bumped into The O’Rahilly there across from Rotunda. He’s late to the party as usual. Muttered something about an alarm clock before congratulating me on my haul from Clery’s front window.
The man shot at 12.13 in GPO was John Kealy who was married to my mother’s first cousin. His brother-in-law Charles Donnelly was also in the group in the GPO . Charles Donnellys father and my grandfather were brother’s. John Kealy was the Volunteers first death.
Very enjoyable.
No mention of the “first shot of the rising” which is claimed to have been fired in County Laois late on Easter Sunday night/Monday morning as the local Volunteers participated in the demolition of a section of the railway line at a location near Colt.
This was to prevent British military reinforcements from reaching Dublin via Waterford after the Rising had started.
The awkward moment when people forget we invited the English over in the first place.
No the king of Leinster did
These terrorists must be stopped. #prayfordublin
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