One of the many unintended consequences of Brexit is the possible break-up of the United Kingdom, which has resulted in serious debate in this country on the likelihood of a united Ireland - previously a taboo subject.
The Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams TD, will be in Galway on Wednesday [April 12] to address a public meeting entitled 'Ag Tógáil na Poblachta - Putting Irish Unity on the Agenda'. Dep Adams will be joined by Sinn Féin Midlands-North West MEP, Matt Carthy, at the event which will take place at 7.30pm in the Bohermore Community Centre.
The meeting is part of a series of events the Sinn Féin leadership is holding across the country in an effort to engage with the public on issues such as overcrowding in hospitals; the housing crisis; and the call for special EU status to be granted to Northern Ireland in order to protect it against the threat of a hard border and any potential erosion of the positive developments which have taken place since the Good Friday agreement.
MEP Matt Carthy, the chair of SF's United Ireland project, said the appetite for Irish unity is growing with “even the most unlikely commentators now joining the debate”. He said: "Every person on the island will be better off - economically, politically and socially - from reunification.” All are welcome to the meeting. For more information contact Galway Sinn Féin on galwaysf@gmail.com
1916 Rising Commemorations
Separate to this, the party will also host a series of events across the city and county to mark the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The opening event takes place on Good Friday with wreath-laying ceremonies held at the grave of Volunteer Joseph Donellan in Clonbern Cemetery, Clonbern, Ballinasloe, at 2pm; at the Tuam Martyrs Monument, Tuam from 4pm; and in Donaghpatrick Cemetery, Headford, from 6pm.
Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada will deliver the main oration at the Liam Mellows statue, Eyre Square at 3pm on Easter Saturday. This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Joe Howley statue in Oranmore at 6pm. MEP Ní Riada will also address the party’s Irish-language Commemoration at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc, from 1pm on Easter Sunday.
Easter commemorations will take place on Easter Sunday n the New Cemetery, Athenry at 12 noon, where county councillor Gabe Cronnelly will chair proceedings and the main speaker will be Sinn Féin East Derry MLA Caoimhe Archibald. She will also address the main East Galway commemoration in Creagh Cemetery, Ballinasloe, at 2pm. Attendees are asked to assemble in St Michael’s Square at 1.30pm.
On Easter Monday at 2pm in Ardbear Cemetery, Clifden, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Margaret Joyce after which a procession will make its way to the Thomas Whelan statue. The final event will be at Tooreena Cemetery, Tullycross, from 5pm followed by a gig in Molly’s Bar, Letterfrack. All are welcome to the events.