Shell to Sea in Belfast

antrim | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Tuesday August 29, 2006 20:59 by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin - Shell to Sea Belfast shelltoseabelfast at gmail dot com

Willie Corduff, Vincent McGrath and Micheál Ó Seighin of the Rossport 5 were in Belfast with family members over the weekend to be recognised for their stand against the Shell corporation.

Micheál addresses the crowd

A Shell to Sea benefit was held in the Felons' Club on the Falls Road, and the visitors from Mayo were the guests of honour on the evening. At the beginning of the night, the three men were presented with an Environmental Achievement Award by Martin Flynn of the West Belfast Partnership Board. An evening of musical entertainment then kicked off, and the crowd were entertained by Pól Mac Adaim and Éamonn Ó Faogáin, who performed songs in English, Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

Richard Glenholmes of the Irish Republican Felons' Association then presented membership cards to Willie Corduff, Vincent McGrath and Micheál Ó Seighin, who were given a standing ovation by the crowd. Each of the three made a short address to those who attended, and then more music followed.

The crowd of about 150 people were then entertainment by music from Sara Boyce, Fergus O'Hare, Eddie Keenan, Deirdre McAliskey, Brian Moore and Conchubar Ó Liatháin. Micheál Ó Seighin then got up and sang a sean-nós song, and the evening concluded with Barry Kerr giving a performance that sent everyone home smiling.

On Monday morning the visitors from Mayo, along with members of the Shell to Sea campaign from Dublin, were given a tour of Milltown Cemetery by Pádraig McCotter, which was unfortunately cut short by the temperamental weather.

They then went up to Teach Basil, home of Daily Ireland and Lá, and met with Colin O'Carroll and Conchubar Ó Liatháin, editors of the respective newspapers. They spoke about the current situation in regards to the campaign and Shell's current shifty media blitz, and after two busy days made their way back to Rossport, the campaign in Belfast all the stronger for their visit.

Éamonn Ó Faogáin performing

Fergus O'Hare sings

Eddie Keenan sings "The West's Awake"

Micheál performs a seannós song