Author of Ruairi O Bradaigh biography on RFE

by RFE Sat Feb 04, 2006 05:54

In a very real sense, Ruairí Ó Bradáigh can . . . be said to be the last, or one of the last Irish Republicans. Studies of the Provisional movement to date have invariably focused more on the Northerners and the role of people like Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. But an understanding of them is not possible without appreciating where they came from and from what tradition they have broken. Ruairí Ó Bradáigh is that tradition and that is why this account of his life and politics is so important." —from the foreword by Ed Moloney, author of A Secret History of the IRA

Since the mid-1950s, Ruairí Ó Bradáigh has played a singular role in the Irish Republican Movement. He is the only person who has served as chief of staff of the Irish Republican Army, as president of the political party Sinn Féin, and to have been elected, as an abstentionist, to the Dublin parliament. Today, he is the most prominent and articulate spokesperson of those Irish Republicans who reject the peace process in Northern Ireland. His rejection is rooted in his analysis of Irish history and his belief that the peace process will not achieve peace. Instead it will support the continued partition of Ireland and result in continued, inevitable, conflict.

The child of Irish Republican veterans, Ó Bradáigh has led IRA raids, been arrested and interned, escaped and been "on the run," and even spent a period of time on a hunger strike. An articulate spokesman for the Irish Republican cause, he has at different times been excluded from Northern Ireland, Britain, the United States, and Canada. He was a key figure in the secret negotiation of a bilateral IRA-British truce. His "Notes" on these negotiations offer special insight to the 1975 truce, the IRA cease-fires of the 1990s, and the current peace process in Ireland

by Saer Sat Feb 04, 2006 19:57

The episode with Dr. White will be aired NEXT Saturday.

Unfortunately friend and mentor, Grandpa Al Lewis passed away last night. Today's episode of RFE is dedicated to him

"Grandpa" Al Lewis
April 30, 1923 - February 3, 2006

Life long human rights and labour activist, actor, radio host and recepient of Cumann na Saoirse's James Larkin Award for his contribution to Irish freedom and human rights.

by Arthur Belgrove Sun Feb 05, 2006 16:58

Al Lewis received a Ph.D from Columbia University, NYC, in 1941 at the age of 18. HIs many contributions to Irish freedom are known to all. And he was dedicated to the cause of Labour. He was a close friend of Mafia chief John GottI, attending his trial every day when Gotti was framed by the F.B.I. Comrade Lewis was very proud of his well deserved James Larkin award. He knew James Larkin in New York.