Ógra Shinn Féin bring Kilkenny to Standstill!

Kilkenny City centre came to a standstill last Saturday afternoon as an Ógra Shinn Féin rally passed proudly through the streets of the City. The rally assembled outside Kilkenny Castle, the Norman home of the Butler's of Ormond. Those present listened intently as the rally, chaired by ÓSF local organiser, Peadar de Bluit, was addressed by Lisburn City Councillor Paul Butler, and Carlow / Kilkenny SF General Election candidate Kathleen Funchion, both of whom spoke about the significance of the Hunger Strike and the legacy left by it and the duty of those left behind to strive for the Ireland for which those 10 young men and indeed many patriots died for during the centuries of occupation by a foreign force.

The rally was one part of an Ógra Shinn Féin weekend taking place in Kilkenny which saw Ógra activists from all over the country arrive in Kilkenny from early on Friday evening for what would be a very busy weekend. The clár of events began that night with a talk from ex blanket man, Paul Butler, about the prison struggle in the H-Blocks between 1976 and 1981. Judging by the amount of questions asked afterwards the talk was enjoyed by all and offered a great insight into the inhumane conditions in which prisoners lived and the brutal regime of the warders, giving a clear idea of just what life was like in the prison at that time.

On Saturday morning the day began with a discussion about how the Irish Language was used as a tool of struggle while inside the H-Blocks, and how it became a pivotal part of the prisoners resistence to to prison system. Those present were very interested to hear about how Irish was learned and used inside the prison despite the depraved conditions in which those imprisoned there were forced to live in. The fact that this part of the weekend was held as Gaeilge certainly encouraged those present to think a bit more as to the importance of their language.

Following a short break an Ógra rally comprised of activists both Ógra and local, young and old, marched through the city centre to the tunes of the Vol. Ed O'Brien Flute Band. The rally proceeded from the train station and through the city centre, assembling outside Kilkenny Castle. As the rally passed through the City the constant big-brother-type presence was felt from both the gardaí and special branch, not for the last time during the weekend. This however could not dishearten those on the march beside the image of people lining the streets in support of the Hunger Strikers and the local organisation.

That afternoon political activist Dan Connolly facilitated a discussion on the Spanish Civil War, which began 70 years ago this week. Everyone in the room took an active part in the discussion which all agreed was interesting and educational not least surrounding the political climate in Ireland at the time. Dan explained how the right-wing forces came together in Ireland years before anything began in Spain in order to undermine the progressive left and create a 'Red Scare'. This certainly acted as a catalyst to all listening to ensure that the same didn't happen again and that the revolution would next time be seen through.

The clár changed slightly as Ógra members opted to watch as Kilkenny, and Cork, eventually book their place in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals in the scorching heat of Croke Park, resting themselves before the evenings events. The matches gave the young activists a chance to talk about the succes of the weekend so far and reflect on the content of the different speeches over the two days.
That night Ógra members attended a social function in Kilkenny City where members allowed themselves to relax after the hectic schedule of the weekend. Unknown until later however was the considerable garda presence outside with squad cars and vans passing at least every 5 minutes, a bleak reminder of the oppressive state force that is a constant cloud over all Ógra and Sinn Féin outings.

The following morning before returning to their respective parts of the country, everyone came together to discuss, and give feedback, on their thoughts about the weekend. The response was a positive one with everyone agreed that the first weekend in Kilkenny should certainly not be the last.

National Organiser Barry McColgan said that, "This weekend was massively important as it would help to build up the organisation in Kilkenny in the future, adding to the good work already done by the Ógra locally." Local organiser Peadar de Bluit was also pleased with the outcome of the few days, "The presence of so many Ógra activists around Kilkenny this weekend coupled with the very successful march through our City will indeed indicate to people, especially the youth of Kilkenny that Ógra Shinn Féin are active in a big way and that we offer a progressive, radical alternative."

Onwards to a Socialist Republic!

Ógra march to Kilkenny Castle!

Ógra Remember the Hungerstrikers!

Peader de Bluit of Kilkenny Ógra addresses the crowd!

Lisburn City Councillor and former Blanket Man Paul Butler!