Easter in Erris

Report on today's Good Friday march along route of Shell's never to be built gas pipeline in Rossport, Erris, County Mayo.

Today two hundred people gathered at the Corduff farmstead in Rossport to walk the three miles to the pier in Rossport village, along the route of the pipeline, to symbolically turn the pipeline to the sea. Symbolism being appropriate as the pipeline is only ever going to be there symbolically.
Carried on the march were the white crosses which honour the Ogoni nine, and which are normally to be found across from the site in Ballinaboy where Shell would like to build their refinery.
The Ogoni nine were opponents of Shell in Nigeria who were executed by the military regime there ten years ago. The crosses were put up in Ballinaboy, last November, on the tenth anniversary of the executions. Also put up at this time was a mural of Ken Saro Wiwa, one of the nine, which is located in Rossport, adjoining the closed down Sicim-Roadbridge pipeline construction compound. The mural is to feature in the Art not Oil exhibition in London.

The Good Friday walk seems set to become something of a tradition, as this is the second year it has been held. As is suggested by the crosses the event is intended to commemorate the Ogoni nine. Also this being the time of year when you plant potatoes the time is symbolic of the start of growth.
An awful lot has happened since Good Friday a year ago, a ripe crop of resistance has grown. Last years Good Friday walk was actually the first public Shell to Sea demonstration.
In spring 2005 a pall of oppression hung in the air, almost touchable, the various sites and compounds seemed to dwarf all hope, now their fences, rusting pipes, silent trucks, and empty pre-fabs seem to cower beneath a risen people.

This being the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rebellion, Shell and the state would do well to remember the words of James Connolly: “If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”

people gather outside the Corduff house, the starting point of the march

nine crosses commerate the Ogoni nine

the march sets off

the march passes the now largely unused Shell compound in Rossport

nine crosses are hung on the gate of Shell's Rossport compound

private property

young and old took part

Mary Kate and Bob share a joke

Sean Harrington waves the flag

marchers gather on the pier in Rossport for words and reflection