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The NIFC's Program 'Our Irish-American Cultural Heritage’ that links the past, present and future, has been established for the purpose of preserving our Irish-American cultural heritage and the Fenian traditions passed on to us by our exiled Irish forebears. Our forebears, who came to America to escape poverty, persecution, political and religious oppression, imposed upon their homeland by a foreign usurper, contributed enormously to America’s freedom, culture and prosperity. They and their descendants fought in America's War of Independence, its Civil War and in every other war or conflict, when or, where America’s freedom or interests have been threatened. The NIFC will commemorate and honor their contributions and sacrifices and will carry on their tradition of helping their ancestral homeland in its noble struggle for true freedom and independence in a reunited 32-county sovereign Irish Republic.
External Links John Boyle O'Reilly Fenian Graves Eire Nua the way forward Click on above image for details IRPAS Campaign Click on above image for details (Click here for B. Mor's latest Cartoons) The cry of a dreamer John Boyle O'Reilly ======= I am tired of planning and toiling In the crowded hives of men; Heart-weary of building and spoiling, And spoiling and building again. And I long for the dear old river, Where I dreamed my youth away; For a dreamer lives forever, And a toiler dies in a day. ======== Click here for complete poem Flowers of Ireland Biting stonecrop	GENERAL MEAGHER HEADSTONE UNVEILED IN NEW YORK The first headstone anywhere in the world to memorialize Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher was unveiled at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn NY, on Saturday, April 19, 2008. The initiative is among the first of many Civil War veterans' grave-markers that the management of the National Historic Landmark cemetery has begun to install. Five years ago the cemetery assembled a team of research volunteers, led by Green-Wood's historian Jeffrey Richman, to identify the unmarked burial places of war veterans in the cemetery, which ultimately amounted to 1,100. Jeff was also master of ceremonies for the Meagher memorial. (Click here for complete report and photogallery) (Click here to view video)
	Fenians! Dedication of a new stone on the grave of Colonel Thomas J. Kelly Fenian Brotherhood & Chief Organizer of the Irish Republic (1867) Saturday, 31st May 2008, 1 PM Woodlawn Cemetery enter East 233rd Street & Webster Avenue in the Bronx (Accessible from: Woodlawn (last) Stop on #4 (IRT) Subway; Woodlawn stop on Harlem Line, Metro-North Railroad; Major Degan Expressway or Bronx River Parkway (East 233rd Street exit))
	Fenian Graves John Boyle O'Reilly (1844–1890) John Boyle O'Reilly was born on June 28, 1844 at Dowth Castle in Co. Meath Ireland at the onset of the contrived Famine of the 1840's. His birthplace was close to where the infamous battle of the Boyne was fought. He was the second of three sons in a family of eight children. His father, William David O'Reilly was the headmaster at a National School near Drogheda. He instilled in John an appreciation of art and literature. (Click here for complete biography)
	Tomás Hosie -- 2008 U.S. Cabhair Honoree Tomás Hosie from Pennsylvania is the North American honoree for the 2008 Annual Cabhair Testimonial & Republican Reunion at which Republican veterans from the four Irish provinces and the USA will be honored. The other honorees are: Séamus Murphy (Wicklow), Leinster Paddy White (Newry), Ulster Liam Heaphy (Cork), Munster Michael Ó Ceallaigh (Galway), Connacht (Click here for complete text)
	Colonel Thomas J. Kelly of the Fenian Brotherhood Thomas J. Kelly has the distinction of being a hero of two countries. A native of Mount Bellew, County Galway, and educated in Saint Jarleth’s College, Tuam, he emigrated to America consequent to *An Gorta Mór* - the Great Hunger. Like many another of Ireland’s exiled children in America, Thomas Kelly became a Fenian, a believer in the gospel of Tone, dedicated to break the connection with England (the “evil empire” to most 19^th century Americans). (Click here for complete text)	This month in Irish and Irish-American History Amnesty Report On May 2, 1978 - Amnesty International released a report that reaffirmed and presented new evidence on the use of systematic torture by the British authorities on Irish POW's in the occupied six Irish counties . Fr. Aloysius Roche On May 2, 1957 - Fr. Aloysius Roche, Irish patriot, who during the 1916 Easter Rising, brought spiritual aid to the Volunteers in the numerous garrisons and outposts throughout Dublin. Leaders of the 1916 Rising executed On May 3, 1916 - Leaders of the Easter Rising Padraig Pearse, Thomas McDonagh and Thomas Clarke were executed by the British in Kilmainham jail in Dublin. More leaders of the 1916 Rising executed On May 4, 1916 - Willie Pearse, Joseph Plunkett, Edward Daly and Michael O'Halloran were executed for their leadership roles the Easter Rising. Bobby Sands On May 5, 1981 - Bobby Sands died on hunger strike in Long Kesh. (Click here to view video of demonstrations in NY during Sand's death vigil) John McBride On May 5, 1916 - John McBride was executed by the British for his leadership role in the Easter Rising. Easter Rising Executions On May 8, 1916 - Con Colbert, Eamonn Cannt, Michael Mallon, Sean Heuston and Thomas Kent were executed by the British for their role in the Easter Rising. Frankie Hughes On May 12, 1981 - Frankie Hughes dies on hunger strike in Long Kesh. Sean Hogan rescued On May 13, 1919 - Sean Hogan one of the "Big Four" IRA leaders from Tipperary was rescued from a train that was taking him to Cork by Sean Tracy, Dan Breen, Seamus Robinson and other volunteers from Limerick. Dublin and Monaghan bombings. On May 17, 1974 - 34 people were killed when British intelligence agents and Loyalists terrorists set off bombs in Dublin and Monaghan resulting in the single largest loss of life during the latest phase of Ireland's struggle for unity. Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O Hara On May 21, 1981 - Ray McCreesh and Patsy O'Hara died on hunger strike in Long Kesh. Special Non-Jury Courts On May 26, 1972 the 26-county authorities, set up the Special Non-Jury Court to assist the British cope with the War of Liberation in the occupied counties.
	Radio Free Eireann (RFE) 2008 St Patrick's Day Show The Radio Free Eireann (RFE) 2008 St Patrick's Day show paid a tribute to the recently deceased IRA leader, Brendan Hughes who was O/C in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh during the historical 1981 Hunger Strike. Also appearing on the show with hosts John Mc Donagh, Sandy Bowyer, Liza Butler were Chris and Andrew of *Seanachie* who played a fine selection of Irish tunes. This video features the last hour of the show. (Click here to view the video)
	Easter Commemoration Report Sunday March 23, 2008, Cumann Na Saoirse Náısıúnta held their annual 1916 Easter Commemoration at the graveside of Irish republican and patriot, Joe Stynes. Those in attendance braved the early morning chill at Woodlawn Cemetery, in the Bronx, NY to pay tribute to the brave men and woman who served the Republic and to mark the 92nd Anniversary of the Easter Sunday Uprising. Brıan Mór Ó Baoıghıll was M.C. for the event. He began by welcoming all those in attendance and called upon Breandán O Broın who opened the ceremony with some patriotic tunes on the bagpipes. (Click here for complete report) (Click here for video) (Click here for NIFC's Easter Statement) Policing The Pollution: "Don't Mention The Water." (Quote) In February 2007 I traveled to County Mayo, Ireland, to investigate allegations of police brutality against the local community who opposed the construction of the Shell Oil Corrib Gas Refinery and pipeline. Other than documenting horrific accounts of one retired local crippled for life by police, and others who had suffered broken ribs and noses, I met local blacksmith John Monaghan. He discovered the local water supply of 10,000 people was being polluted with aluminum coming from the Shell Gas Refinery site. Despite laws in place to hold Shell to account for any pollution, the aluminum was coming from the site in dangerously high levels and neither Shell nor the local council seemed to be doing anything about it. This documentary follows on from the More4 News report, “Irish Gas Plant Under Fire”, aired in June 2007, and looks at the policing and the pollution in County Mayo (Click her to view video) Additional items of interest IRIS - 05/12/08 Despite peace, Belfast walls are growing in size and number WHERE WE ARE NOW, WHERE WE WANT TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE - R. O'Bradaigh Easter Speech by RSF Vice President, Des Dalton. Fianna Fail and SDLP share breakfast in bed Salmond ‘starting to win the argument for Scots independence’ The truth behind the Agreement Panorama: Divide and Rule Good riddance to "perjurer" Ahern Adams may be the next to go REPUBLICAN PRISONERS IN MAGHABERRY ON 48-HOUR HUNGER STRIKE Republican Movement's Easter Statement 2008 Adams admits to help with papers