Eibhlin O'Neill's blog

Irish political party Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has called for action after the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report finds Israel was guilty of committing the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organization, headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. In 1997 Human Rights Watch shared in the Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

A farmer undertaking land improvement works in the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland has uncovered an ancient previously undisturbed tomb. The Dingle Peninsula (Irish: Corca Dhuibhne) is in County Kerry ((Irish: Contae Chiarraí) in the south-west of Ireland. This tomb which is thought to date to back to the Bronze Age (2000BC-500BC), but could be earlier,  appears to be completely untouched. It is in its original state and contains human remains.

March 17th is both a religious holiday and a day of celebration for Irish people and those with an Irish connection around the world. Saint Patrick's Day festivities in 2021 are more retrained than normal in many places due to the coronavirus pandemic. For many this year it will be a day of quiet contemplation about the Saint himself and his works. Saint Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day is oberved today 17 March, which is said to be the date of his death.

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has apologised and retracted a claim that Sinn Féin has no Protestants as senior politicians. Sinn Féin is an Irish republican political party dedicated to the reunification of Ireland and an end to British jurisdiction in the north of Ireland. It is the joint largest party in the Dáil and the second-largest party in the Northern Assembly. Mr Varadkar made his remark that Sinn Féin had no Protestant politicians in the Dáil (Irish parliament) or in the Northern Ireland Assembly when speaking on RTÉ Radio's News At One programme.

There is an article published today by the Celtic League about the murder of Pat Finucane. In 1989 Pat Finucane (39) was shot dead by loyalists at his home in north Belfast. It happened in front of his wife Geraldine, who was also injured, and their children Michael, Katherine and John.  It was found that loyalist paramilitaries were acting in collusion with the British government intelligence services. It is not the only such case of murders by loyalist gangs said to be acting with the alleged connivance of British security agencies.

On this day, 7th March 1921 two Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) mayors were brutally murdered by RIC Auxiliaries. The mayor of the city, George Clancy, was shot at his home in front of his wife in Castleview Gardens, close to the River Shannon. At around the same time, his predecessor as mayor, Michael O'Callaghan, was also shot dead at his home nearby. Both men were aged in their early 40s, nationalists, Irish speakers, volunteers, and GAA members.

This month, February, marks the birth of Constance Markievicz (4th February 1868 – 15 July 1927). Constance Markievicz was a staunch Irish Republican who was to play an integral role in the birth of modern Ireland. Born Constance Gore-Booth in Lissadell, Co. Sligo on February 4, 1868. Her early life was typical of many young women from a wealthy Anglo-Irish background at that time. Constance studied art in London and Paris. In France, she met her Polish husband, Count Markievicz. They married in 1901 and had a child in Dublin.

February 1st marks the traditional day of the Gaelic festival of Imbolc or Imbolg. It is also known as Saint Brigid’s Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Bríde, Scottish Gaelic: Là Fhèill Brìghde, Manx: Laa’l Breeshey). Most commonly it is held on 31 January–1 February. It is a Cross Quarter Day, midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Historically it widely observed throughout Ireland (Irish: Éire), Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Alba) and the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin).

Immediately after the Armistice with Germany which ended the First World War in 1918, a General Election was called in the United Kingdom. On 14 November it was announced that Parliament would dissolve on 25 November, with elections on 14 December. The Irish General Election of 1918 was that part of the 1918 general election which took place in Ireland. In 1918 the whole of Ireland was a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and was represented in the British Parliament by 105 MPs. It was a significant moment in modern Irish history.

'Bloody Sunday' is a date that many associate with the events in Derry on January 30, 1972. On that day the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association called a protest in Derry. At that peaceful demonstration British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians killing fourteen people. This was not the only ‘Bloody Sunday’ in 20th century Irish History. This year marks the centenary of forces under British control opening fire on the crowd at a Gaelic football match in Dublin.