Watch Gerry Adams speech at An Chéad Dáil Éireann
Watch videos of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP, MLA keynote speech at An Chéad Dáil Éireann January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin. You can also Download a PDF of Gerry Adams Speech or read the speech, “A Defining Point in Irish History”, by clicking here. Visit the Sinn Féin YouTube site to watch these and many other videos.
Video of part 1 of the speech
Video of part 2 of the speech
Video of part 3 of the speech
SF honours women representatives to mark Constance Markievicz election
January 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Latest News, Videos
During the ‘An Chéad Dáil’ Mansion House event Sinn Féin General Secretary Rita O’Hare made an emotional presentation to a number of women elected representatives to mark the election of Constance Markievicz into the first Dáil following the introduction of universal suffrage in the 1918 general elections, and also her appointment as Minister for Labour.
The Sinn Féin representatives honoured for their achievements were Donegal Councillor Gráinne Mhic Géidigh, Dublin City Councillor Críona Ní Dháliagh, MEP Bairbre de Brún, Martina Andenson MLA and Agriculture Minister Michele Gildernew.
When making the presentation to the women Rita O’Hare said:
“This evening we republican women of today pay special tribute to those brave, beautiful and extraordinary women who defied the social mores of that era, who came form every class and creed and background, from rural communities, from the slums of this city and those who rejected the confines of class and privilege to join that combination of the national movement, the women’s movement and the labour movement in declaring that they stood for the republic. Tonight for us is not just the marking of this Anniversary date, it is about continuing the struggle for what they struggle for, an Ireland united, free and independent.
“I am proud to note that there are in this room tonight the daughters and granddaughters of women who were also in this room 90 years ago today.
“Constance Markievicz was elected to the First Dáil and appointed as Minister for Labour in that First Dáil, the First woman government Minister in Europe.
“In her memory and in memory of all republican women I wish to present to these representatives of Sinn Féin’s elected women councillors, MLAs, MEPs and Ministers a memento of this Anniversary. These too are brave and committed women. It takes great courage to stand for elected office. It is hard and sometimes thankless work. I commend and thank them all – Michelle Gildernew, Bairbre de Brún, Martina Anderson, Críona Ní Dhálaigh and Gráinne Mhic Géidigh.” ENDS
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin speech at Oireachtas commemoration
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin speaking at the First Dáil Éireann Commemoration organised by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the Round Room of the Mansion House Tuesday January 20th, 2009.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said that the work of the First Dáil remains unfinished and that there was a mandate to bring about a United Ireland. He said the First Dáil’s Democratic Programme had not been implemented and that no Government committed to the Programme’s principles of equality could preside over the divisions in Irish society today.
Presentation to SIPTU President Jack O’Connor
January 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Latest News, Videos
Centenary of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union honoured at Sinn Féin ‘An Chéad Dáil’ event with presentation to SIPTU President Jack O’Connor
During this evening’s Sinn Féin An Chéad Dáil Éireann 90th anniversary commemorations held in the historic Round Room in the Mansion House Sinn Féin Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD made a presentation to Jack O’Connor, President of SIPTU, marking the centenary this month of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union.
Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“Cuireann sé áthas orm mar Ceannaire Dála Shinn Féin fáilte a chur romhaibh chun an ócáid speisialta seo. It is an honour to welcome you all to this historic and momentous event tonight on my own behalf and on behalf of our TDs and Senator. We are very proud to play our part, with Sinn Féin elected representatives in all elected fora, in carrying forward and completing the work of An Chéad Dáil Éireann.
“The organised workers of Ireland played a central role in all the events leading to the establishment of the First Dáil. It is appropriate therefore that this month also marks the centenary of the union that organised those workers at the start of the last century, the Irish Transport and General Workers Union which was founded 100 years ago in January 1909.
“The ITGWU for the first time organised the unorganised, the lowest paid and the most harshly treated workers in Ireland. Jim Larkin lit a fire that blazed in 1913 and forged in the struggle of the Great Lockout a trade union movement that grew from strength to strength. James Connolly led the vanguard of that movement in the Irish Citizen Army without which there would have been no Rising in 1916. Organised labour defeated Conscription in the General Strike of 1918. The ideals of Connolly were enshrined in the Democratic Programme adopted by the First Dáil here 90 years ago.
“Ever since then the most progressive sections of the republican and trade union movements have always acted on James Connolly’s words that the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour and the cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, they cannot be separated.
“Today organised workers face equally daunting struggles. An effort is being made by some to scapegoat workers in the public sector for the economic recession. Attempts are being made to further drive down pay and conditions in the private sector. The spectre of the lengthening dole queue is with us again. Never was there a greater need for the left in Irish politics to join with the trade union movement and with the vast majority of people in calling to account the greed-driven William Martin Murphy’s of our time who have created this economic disaster.
“In that spirit of unity I ask you to welcome our special guest, the General Secretary of SIPTU, Jack O’Connor.
“On your behalf and to mark the centenary of the ITGWU I present to Jack this painting of James Connolly by republican artist and head of our party’s Trade Union Department Caoilfhionn Ní Dhonnabháin.” ENDS
90th Anniversary of the First Dáil – Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald
90th Anniversary of the First Dáil – Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin. Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin Chairperson and Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald discuss the history and its relevance today.
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Pearse Street
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Pearse Street
Shane Mac Tomáis gives a guided tour of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising and other historical sites in Dublin, Ireland. Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Pearse House
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Pearse House
Shane Mac Tomáis gives a guided tour of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising and other historical sites in Dublin, Ireland. Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Liberty Hall
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Liberty Hall
Shane Mac Tomáis gives a guided tour of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising and other historical sites in Dublin, Ireland. Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Jim Larkin
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – Jim Larkin
Shane Mac Tomáis gives a guided tour of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising and other historical sites in Dublin, Ireland. Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – James Connolly
1916 Rising Walking Tour of Dublin – James Connolly
Shane Mac Tomáis gives a guided tour of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising and other historical sites in Dublin, Ireland. Sinn Féin is holding a major national event to mark the 90th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the First Dáil Éireann (Ireland Parliament)on January 21st, 2009 in the Mansion House, Dublin.
