Gerry Adams is the pre-eminent republican activist of our times. A former President of Sinn Féin, he served as MP for West Belfast and as a TD in the Dáil over a four-decade period of frontline elected politics.
He is the author of several books including Before the Dawn, The Street and Other Stories and Falls Memories. His latest collection of short stories The Witness Trees will be published in the autumn.
He describes himself as "an optimistic and hopeful activist" and publishes a famed Twitter account.
I CONSIDERED ignoring the British Government’s exclusion of the Sinn Féin President from the recent talks. Then I thought why should I? Stupidity like this needs highlighted. For me it is proof, once again, of what democrats here are up against.
Don’t Let The Old Man In.
2022 WAS an interesting year politically. Particularly around the changing attitudes about the relationship between the different parts of the ‘United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland’.
WHEN I arrived at Glór Na Móna last week for the launch of The Black Mountain Rewilding Project the place was packed. Tommy Morgan started the evening’s event with a few warm words of thanks and appreciation for the work of Aaron Kelly and his co-workers, particularly filmmaker Maírtín Keenan.
Beannachtaí daoibhse go leir. Have a great Christmas, dear readers. Thanks and benedictions also to the Belfast Media Group team. Christmas can be a sad and stressful time for some people. Be mindful of them, my friends. Reach out to neighbours and others who may not be as lucky as we are.
The Task Force report for the Ceathrú Gaeltachta contained radical and innovative proposals, including the Development of a Cultural/Gaeltacht Quarter. There has always been an Irish language community in Belfast. Like the rest of the island it suffered as a result of British colonial policy.
An amazing community that was determined to triumph
THE Sinn Féin building on the Falls Road at the corner of Sevastopol St. is internationally famous for its mural of Bobby Sands. Less well known is the fact that the building is dedicated to the memory of another Irish republican, Joe McKelvey. His framed photograph adorns the wall on the first floor.
AS I write this column the number of Palestinians killed this year by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza strip is 207. By the time it is published in a few days time that number will have increased. Last Friday I watched online video of the last moments of Ammar Mufleh, aged 23, shot dead in Huwara, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, by an Israeli soldier. He was the tenth Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in 10 days.
ON November 18 in Killarney 820 republicans broke bread together in honour of Martin and Marie Ferris. It was a great night. Marie Ferris is one of my heroes. A warrior woman. An activist. A mammy. A mamó. And the wife of Martin Ferris.
FRIENDS from far and near were in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan last Saturday night for a special testimonial event for my old friend and comrade Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. Mary Lou McDonald was there to remind us of Caoimhghín’s long and distinguished life of activism for over 40 years. It was also an opportunity to thank Briege. It’s not easy being the partner of an activist but Briege is a republican in her own right and her family before her. So go raibh maith agat, a bheanuasal agus do chlann.
I’VE written about the threat posed to our world by climate change. The international climate change conference – COP 27 – which commenced in Egypt on Sunday, is viewed by many as the world’s last real opportunity to reverse this threat. This year has been especially dangerous, with a mixture of floods, droughts, huge storms and the threat of famine in East Africa.
THIS weekend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27 – the Conference of the Parties) will begin in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
CONWAY Mill has been at the heart of West Belfast for over almost 200 years. First as a hard place of work for generations of local people, mainly women, and then as a community hub, providing education and employment opportunities. Last week the Mill celebrated its 40th birthday promoting, supporting and facilitating small indigenous economic enterprises and providing adult education facilities
MY good friends Ciarán and Orlaith Staunton from New York have been awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad by President Michael D Higgins.