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2008 NIFC Dinner Report

The Thirteenth Annual Michael Flannery Testimonial Awards Dinner was held on Friday February 1, 2008 at the Astoria World Manor, Astoria NY. This year’s theme was the Fenian Tradition, marking 150th anniversary of the founding of the Fenian Brotherhood. In spite of the worst rainstorm of the winter and the Friday night traffic, all those who committed to attend did so making huge efforts to be there. Not the least of which were Michael Geraghty and his daughter Bridget arriving in time, after an 8 hour wait in a Chicago airport that began their journey to NY!

Master of Ceremonies Brian Mor O’Baoighill, world-renowned Celtic Artist and life long Irish Republican Activist began his welcome by paying tribute to the memory of those who died in the past year. Amongst those that he mentioned was Dan Keating, patron of RSF who lived for 105 years all in active support for Irish freedom from British rule. Brian Mor spoke of the latest betrayal; exemplified by the treatment that Brendan ‘Darkie’ Hughes received from his former comrades who now administer British rule in Ireland. Brian said Brendan Hughes was among the most revered Irish Republican Army Soldiers of all time. He said, Hughes had become a legend and because of that he was feared and reduced by the present Provo leadership to the level of poverty. All while they administer British rule in Ireland, through Stormont and live it up in sumptuous security compounds. Brian explained, despite claims by the Provos and their self-serving supporters that there is no alternative to Stormont, the growing support for the Irish authored Eire Nua Federal program gives lie to these charges.

Maggie Trainor, dinner Chairperson introduced Tiokasin Ghosthorse of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation and host of weekly radio program First Voices Indigenous Radio, www.wbai.org. Maggie said we were fortunate to have Tiokasin with us; he is a seventh generation Cedar Flute Maker and Flutist, noting that he is a long time supporter of Cumann Na Saoirse and a spokesperson in the struggle for human rights and sovereignty of indigenous people around the world. Tiokasin opened by welcoming all as guests to his land, as he did at Cumann na Saoirse 2007 Easter Commemoration, in New York. He spoke in his native language followed by a translation, into English. Tiokasin’s insightful words included that there were many similarities between the cultures of the Lakota and Irish people, especially their resistance to ongoing attempts by invaders to eradicate their ancient cultures. He ended playing the traditional Lakota Cedar Flute to the appreciation of all present.

Bob Loughman, well known in Ireland as one of the leading organizers/attendees of the Annual Bundoran Hunger Strike Commemoration introduced the 2008 Pearl Flannery Humanities Award recipients, Michael and Mary Geraghty of Chicago. Bridget Geraghty represented Mary who was unable to attend. Bob noted; Michael and Mary Geraghty never wavered in their support for Irish Freedom and worked towards that end whenever possible. He said Michael was born and raised by one of the most active Irish Republican families in Mayo. He noted that Michael’s father, Martin Geraghty was the O/C of the East Mayo and London units of the IRA and that he opposed the Treaty by remaining on active service with the Republican forces. The Geraghty’s were close with the late George Harrison another Mayo legend, getting together whenever possible, in Chicago and NY. Long time friend Martin Lyons could not attend, but sent a letter of congratulations and support, which Bob Loughman read. Bob concluded by thanking the Geraghty family and presented them with the Pearl Flannery Humanities Award, an original painting by Brian Mor.

Karen Lewis, recipient of 2005 Sr. Sarah Clarke Award and Host of weekly radio program AL LEWIS LIVES www.wbai.org, presented the 2008 Sr. Sarah Clarke Human Rights Award to Jim and Kitty Trainor from Rockland County, NY. Karen Lewis spoke knowingly of Sr. Sarah and said she remains in awe of Sr. Sarah Clarke because of the incredibly difficult conditions she endured while helping families of Irish Republicans incarcerated in English jails. Karen said Jim and Kitty Trainor, for over 30 years, supported fund raising events for the dependents of Irish Republican families held all over the Tri-State area. She explained that Jim and Kitty regularly wrote letters to prisoners and visited prisons in Ireland that held republican prisoners. Karen told of one occasion when Kitty (a native of Mayo, who was well versed in the great Mayo Republican history) even breached the security of Long Kesh Prison for a brief visit with an Irish Political Prisoner. For over 30 years, Jim and Kitty Trainor were Rockland County coordinators for the very successful Project Children, organizing sponsorship and fund raising events for children from the six counties to experience a summer without hatred and war. A number of these children, who are now grown, with children of their own stay in touch with the Trainor family.

Brian Mor introduced Martin Galvin, attorney and longtime activist for Irish Freedom to present the 2008 Michael Flannery Spirit of Freedom Award to Ken Tierney. Martin said that his own introduction to the cause of Irish Freedom began when the late Frank Durkan spoke of the U.S. Government’s campaign against five Irish Americans who, who later became known as the Fort Worth Five. Mr. Galvin related the background of events in Ireland in the early seventies. When the people in the US responded to the pleas of the Nationalist people for help in protecting themselves and their beleaguered neighborhoods of the occupied six counties of Ireland, where British soldiers could be seen on the streets brutalizing the native Irish. He said, when this help arrived, the English knew the exiles in America had responded. They then demanded that the US Government crack down on those responsible. Martin pointed out the US government’s response was heavy handed and based on intimidation rather than any evidence. He detailed how the US justice department hauled these five men before a Grand Jury in Forth Worth in Texas; far from home, family and friends. Deliberately isolating them in an attempt to break their spirits and make the five more conducive to the US. Government’s offers of freedom.

He said that the Justice Dept. gave the men a choice by emphasizing they held the keys to their own freedom in their hands and that there were first class tickets waiting for all of them to travel back to their homes in New York. Martin said that freedom was on the condition that they named others whom the government had targeted and that they would testify against them in exchange for their freedom. By then Ken Tierney had become the spiritual leader of the five and the five, who were not guilty, were also not going to inform regardless of the consequences. The Government, who was facing a growing Forth Worth Five-support campaign, was finally forced to release the Forth Worth Five, without charges. He said that Ken’s contributions to the cause of Irish culture and the campaign for Irish freedom in the intervening years have been great and continue.

On accepting the 2008 Michael Flannery Spirit of Freedom Award, Ken as might be expected, credited all of those who were involved at the time in the campaign for their freedom. He said that Michael Flannery was the best role model that he could have found. Ken related how Mike could detail the similarities in both the Irish and American struggles for freedom. Ken spoke of the roles of the Emmet and McNeven families in Ireland and America. Ken concluded by pointing out that great credit must also go to the Irish republican leaders of the seventies onwards who also responded to the cry for help from the victims of British presence in Ireland.

Ken’s award like the others was designed and produced by Brian Mor. Cumann na Saoirse Naisiunta is most grateful to Brian Mor who each year creates beautiful original pieces of art for our honorees awards. The awards, more spectacular each year are kept in prominent places, cherished and will remain so for many years to come.

Brian Mor introduced Pat Williams, host of the NIFC Free Form Video Series. Pat spoke of the NIFC program and ongoing campaigns; The Irish Republican Prisoners Activist Campaign, The Eire Nua/Visa Denial Repeal Campaign and the Cultural Campaign. He spoke of the recently established Fenian Graves project, which is located on the NIFC website www.irishfreedom.net. He explained this is to honor and memorialize those from every generation that never gave up the struggle for a free and sovereign Ireland. He then introduced Charlie Laverty, Chief Historian of the Fenian Graves Association. Charlie gave a brief description of how the project works and is supported. He encouraged all to stay informed and to share any information they have. John McDonagh, host of Radio Free Erin, www.bai.org concluded the evening by addressing the ever changing landscape the fallen republicans are currently painting. John gave a thorough assessment of the past year, as only John can with clarity, Fenian insight and humor!

Dinner Photos

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