Easter Commemorations Cork City

cork | miscellaneous | feature

Wednesday March 26, 2008 15:13

by Rebel City Reporter

Easter Sunday, Cork: 4 hours and 4 commemorations

But which one?

A short report on four republican commemorations of the Easter rising. The guilty parties include the Workers' Party, IRSP, 32 CSM, RSF, and Sinn Féin, carefully watched by the state's sterling political police.

Related Links: Workers' Party | 32 County SM | IRSP | Republican Sinn Féin | Sinn Féin

I was late for the Workers Party, sorry guys, but they've got a good p.r.o. so maybe they'll put up report themselves. About 30 there and bizarrely enough the garda Special Branch pgotographed them all as they were leaving the plot in St. Finbarrs cemetery.

32CSM and IRSP A joint commemoration about 60 present very impressive colour party. Relatively young crowd. IRSP speaker (sorry didn't catch the name) spoke of the two strands of the struggle national liberation and socialism, was uncompromising in his advocacy of the Workers' Republic. Appealed for co-operation between various strands.

Marion Price delivered the 32CSM oration. Went on a bit much about the provo sellout in my opinion but finally focused in on the strategy of the 32CSM. Extolled the virtues of the co-operation that has taken place already between the various republican groups outside PSF/PIRA and advocated more of the same. Made interesting parallells with 1916 rising and the various forces that came together then and what is needed now.

Next up was the RSF. About 80 attended a very noticeable aged differential with the 32 and IRSP. Very few younger faces, I felt young and I'm forty. Speech very traditionalist and focused on the past and who sold out etc. Decade of the rosary recited, theonly group I am aware of who still do this. Very dignified ceremony, but lacking energy. The chairman Donal Varian made an impassioned plea for a no vote on Lisbon.

Finally the Provos, I am very ready for my dinner but press on. About 200 people. Youghal Fife and drum band add a bit of colour, not a patch on the pipers the RSF had , but impressive enough.

Ceremony banal . Strangley the Provos put their wreaths on the Fianna Fail monument something that an IRA member Swanton died trying to blow up back in the day. Alex Maskey the main speaker, fuck it is he boring. "We must steady unionism" did he really say that I check with others. Yes definitely. Don Bullman acknowledged as Provo prisoner, well that clears that up then. If Ted "moneylender"Cunningham (it was all in the Phoenix) gets convicted will he join the provo landing??

Verdict missed the WP, 32CSM/IRSP have a strategy but little activity, RSF dying out, SF becoming more and more banal and mainstream. The current crop of republicanism appear to have no great vision to enthuse people.