Break The Connection – March with Ógra Shinn Féin in Bodenstown ‘06!

national | miscellaneous | press release Friday June 16, 2006 21:59 by Éirigi - Ógra Shinn Féin

The Annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration takes place this Sunday 18 June at 2pm in Bodenstown.

For the geographically challenged, Bodenstown is near the village of Sallins, County Kildare. For the historically challenged it is the last resting place of Theobald Wolfe Tone, founder of the United Irishmen and the first leading light of Irish Republicanism.

The 25th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike will form the theme of this year's Bodenstown Commemoration. The main speaker is Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member and North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly.

Ógra Shinn Féin are urging mass mobilisation amongst their activists and supporters for the commemoration this year.

Monaghan Ógra SF lead the crowd in Bodenstown!

Barry McColgan, spokesperson for the Republican Youth movement said,

“Wolfe Tone is the epitomy of Irish Republicanism, of a time when all the people of Ireland, Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter where united under one banner, to break the connection with England. It is of the utmost importance that Ógra Shinn Féin mobilise to commemorate this fine patriot, and to remind people of the brave legacy of the United Irishmen!”

“South Down Ógra Shinn Féin’s colour party will lead the Ógra contingent, Ógra activists are asked to wear their polo shirts, also Ógra cumann are asked to bring along banners, if you don't have one, get active and make one now. All Ógra activists are asked to assemble at the Bridge in Sallins at 1.30pm sharp to form up behind the Ógra colour party!”

Wolftone once said, 'From my earliest youth I have regarded the connection between Ireland and England as the curse of the Irish nation, and felt convinced, that while it lasted, this country would never be free or happy. In consequence, I determined to apply all the powers which my individual efforts could move, in order to separate the two countries'.

McColgan concluded, “We must mobilise Republican Youth in numbers for Bodenstown, leaving the graveyard utterly determined to break the connection with England!”