Old Head of Kinsale Walked Again

by Fiona Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:57 fionajharrington at btinternet dot com

Not an organisational member either but sympathiser of Old Head protest group and the WSM - fellow traveller if you like.
I'm seething because I just now, literally, realised that heli-golf has already 'taken off.' That on top of everything else these rich play-boys have already done to the Old Head. Have fired off a letter of protest to the club about that and access generally, for all the good that'll do. Am in London but hope to try and plan my next trip home to coincide with a trespass or picnic and be there like a shot. I'm just so angry about the whole thing, used to love the Old Head. Agree with 'babybromley's' sentiments.
Keep on keeping on!

by Rebekah Mary Neal Tue Aug 31, 2004 13:42

crikey. i hope all the bees are out of the bonnets now....
lets do it again! what an honour to walk the ol' head. i arrived at a point when it looked like all would be going home after the raffel, but no! spontanaity kicked us up the arse and over the fence. i'm thinking that, whilst it was great for those of us that were there, it would have been even greater if press had been there, or some free-lancers, or anyone willing to document and show it to as many people as possible... cos surely thats exactly what mr.golfcourse doesnt want, and what we do. how about a few press releases for the next do? some kids, some kites? and im wondering if anyone could tell me what the score is with the right of way issue.. ive been told that there used to be a right of way running along the head, but got talking to one of the security guards that works there who reckons that this isnt true, and that the old owners just couldnt afford to stop people from going there, so they reluctantly let it be.
?

by sp member Wed Aug 25, 2004 22:15

fair play to james for posting the story and to all who took part in the protests at any time.
we all appreciate what your doing apart from what is probably one sap.

by babybromley - personal Wed Aug 25, 2004 16:57

I had better introduce myself ...I am not a member of any organisation and I did not not participate in Sunday's tresspass - although I would really have loved to be there.

The Old Head capaign, has always beeen breath of fresh air, managing to combine a comparatively un-sectarian approach to organising, with effective direct action and the rigours of good exercise. It has been a long battle, fought over four successive summers, and bringing together hundreds of activists of all political persuasions. With the Supreme Court Defeat, momentum was lost, but some seriously committed people have attempted to keep the flag flying. All of this is very commendable; given that so many people have competing demands on their time. No individual or party owns the campaign, and all who participate in it or have in the past should be congratulated.

For the trolls who have attempted to denigrate James ... well I think that should be thanked for posting information on last Sunday's events; without it I might not have heard about the activists' victory. You claim to resent his honest identification with the WSM, yet I am certain that had he not done so he would have been bombarded with accusations of duplicity or covert efforts to control the movement. Some people cannot look beyond the party and always attribute the worst motives to others.

James is a long-standing activist who has given his time and energies to countless campaigns, at no small personal cost to himself. He doesn't need to justify his involvement in the campaign or in writing publicly about it. (In saying that I am not trying to impugn anyone else or to disparage their contibution). To the best of my knowledge James doesn't have a sectarian bone in his body.

Oh and for the record, I am not nor have I ever been a member of the WSM, I am not a member of James's family or fan-club - I just know a sincere activist when I see one.

by Nadia Tue Aug 24, 2004 17:19 nadianz at fsmail dot net

Having just moved to Kinsale from England it was fortunate that I timed it well for Sunday's Old Head Demo. Despite a little tussle with the security guards during our first attempted entry, the afternoon went off splendidly. It was a privilige to walk on the Old Head with such a top bunch of protesters. The showers stayed away just long enough to keep us dry too! I took some photos/footage on my digi-cam, but with a broken lap top, no phone connection etc its currently a bit tricky for me to get them to anyone. Could anyone help? I will be in Cork on Friday most probably. e mail me.

by Joe Tue Aug 24, 2004 16:19

Lone individuals can be pretty sectarian too. For instance how about someone who posts a lie under one assumed name. Then when no one takes the bait posts the same lie in slightly different words a few hours later. Then when people do take the bait comes along under a third assumed name (as 'Corkie') and accuses some of those who did respond of being 'Touchy'.

I'd say thats someone who places 'party politics' well ahead of any campaign. Or as I already pointed out there may be other possibilities. 'Corkie'/'Sis'/'nio' has not identified himself in any way that would identify him/her to other Cork activists as someone on their side rather than someone paid by the other side. A large pinch of salt is required here.

by Ray Tue Aug 24, 2004 15:26

I'll say. Jesus, some people will really work hard to have something to criticise the WSM for, won't they?
Did it occur to anyone that the reason the report was posted by James from the WSM is that he wrote it himself on his own initiative, and it wasn't approved as a release by the campaign as a whole?
And the WSM 'tripping over themselves to let people know that they were involved'? The only mention of the wsm in the original report is in the author - organisation field. In fact, the WSM is only an issue because some anonymous stirrers said (wrongly) that the WSM weren't involved.
If that's shameless self-promotion then I'm Richard Boyd-Barrett.

by Corkie Tue Aug 24, 2004 15:16

Touchy lot, the WSM.

The point I suppose is that it's annoying to see the various left-wing parties put up reports under their own name rather than under the name of the campaign they are supposed to be part of. The trots have a nasty habit of promoting their own parties before the campaigns they involve themselves with, and the WSM seems to have the same attitude. Why were the WSM tripping over themselves to let people know that they were involved? Why wasn't it posted as a 'Free the Old Head' report.

This is a really, really, really small issue in many ways - but it's indicative of an attitude that puts promoting the 'party' before whatever campaign is at the heart of things.

by james wsm cork Mon Aug 23, 2004 23:49

I was was there I did not trespass being bound to the peace and having suspended sentences hanging over me. However the other WSM member present did take part in the trespass. But everyone there of whatever hue made the thing happen, not everyone was in a position to climb in. The important thing is that it did happen and that the campaign will benefit from it. Direct Action gets results.

by Old Tar Anarchist Mon Aug 23, 2004 17:30 Cork

I don't understand the sectarianism. Well done James for report, I say. But well done particularly to the activists of all hues who have kept this issue alive. Weather was shocking, but the bus organisers got people there in sufficient numbers to surprise the authorities.

I could name names but you do did the job on the day - I say WELL DONE.

by JJ - Free the Old Head Mon Aug 23, 2004 16:25

It was a great day and enjoyed by all. Why do people have to be so negative. Well done James - and everyone else.

by Badman Mon Aug 23, 2004 16:00

How dare James send in a report of an event? The bloody opportunist band-wagon jumping pseudo-trot. The real campaigners would much prefer if nobody knew about this latest development.

And where are your f**king photos sis? Your contribution is so much more worthwhile than the report. James puts the time into writing up a report, you spill a single line of bile onto the thread - which took a lot of effort I'd say.

You also have the effing cheek to have a go at a man who the state has deliberately and scandalously targetted due to his role in this campaign.

I really hope that you are working for the state, because if you are just another sectarian trot, you have plumbed new depths.

by Joe - WSM (personal cap) Mon Aug 23, 2004 14:47

If I understand it correctly the probable author of this report has already had a massive fine slapped on him over the Old Head of Kinsale protests and is also bound over to the peace. Now our two (or I suspect one) anonymous friends who are so concerned about just who may have did what and where may be protesters or they may be someone else fishing for information. I'd suggest 'nio' helps clarify this by maybe posting a nickname or initials by which other Cork activists might be able to confirm that he(?) is an activist.

I'm in Dublin and have no idea of who was there. But I can understand why James would have the motivation to let the rest of us know what happened whether or not he was present. I'm sure he's delighted that the intimidation tactics of the club owners are failing.

by Trotwatch Mon Aug 23, 2004 14:25

did not take part. Whats your beef?

by nio Mon Aug 23, 2004 14:21

wsm did not take part so why did the post this pice

by Sis Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:31

No WSM members participated in the trespass though. Any photas?