Reclaiming the Republic in North Armagh

31/07/08

Hundreds of homes in the Kilwilke area of Lurgan received Proclamations of the Irish Republic on Tuesday evening (July 29) as part of an initiative to promote the ideas and objectives behind the 1916 Easter Rising.

Around 20 éirígí activists and supporters from the Lurgan area, including a number of former political prisoners, took part in the initiative and all were very encouraged by the extremely positive response they met on the doorsteps.

The Proclamation distribution is part of éirígí’s Reclaim the Republic campaign that has seen tens of thousands of copies of the famous document delivered to homes in every province of the country.

Local éirígí representative Breandán Mac Cionnaith explained the purpose of the initiative and outlined the future plans for éirígí in north Armagh:

“This initiative is aimed at creating a new discussion and debate within working-class republican communities about what republican objectives and goals actually mean and how they can and should relate to the every day lives and struggles of ordinary people. It is not only pertinent in Lurgan and north Armagh, but in every part of this country.

“Today we took the time to knock on doors, to speak with local people and to explain to them what éirígí is about, and what the Reclaim the Republic campaign entails. There was a very positive reception and good interaction on almost every door step.

“We aim to build éirígí and our political analysis in Lurgan and the entire north Armagh area but we know that this is not possible without the assistance and support of the local republican population. We intend to interact with and take counsel from our community, whilst rebuilding a strong, vibrant and politically active movement in this area.

“Those who have been watching éirígí for some time will know that we don’t take decisions lightly and the build in north Armagh will be in keeping with that strategic approach. Over the past six months, we have engaged with activists and their families throughout the community to build a solid core with which to launch the éirígí project in this area. We are now beginning to engage with our community afresh.

“We look forward to the future and thank all those activists, supporters and well wishers who made the first of many Proclamation distributions in this area a success.

“There is much in the Proclamation of the Irish Republic which can still act as a source of inspiration for those who wish to see a better society in Ireland, as was the case with those who penned this document over 90 years ago. We believe that an important step towards realising the dreams of the martyrs of 1916 is to revisit the ideas and politics of this truly revolutionary document.”

Over the coming weeks and months, éirígí activists will be distributing copies of the Proclamation to more homes in Lurgan, Portadown and other parts of the north Armagh area.