Rally For Historic Ireland

Why have we come? A new paper, and of all places in Cork, why? Because we believe that in Cork genuine nationalists of all parties and sincere lovers of Ireland are crying out in their hearts for a rallying part from which to declare war on the ancient enemy of our race; war on their allies within our gates, who would sell her honour openly and without shame.

We have come to let them know that Ireland is not to be delivered over to serve as a prop for a decadent and tottering empire; that they have mistaken a momentary apathy for acquiescence. We have arisen in fire and defiance that they may realise the wrath that has been growing in volume and heat till it should burst at last into the open light of day. We have come to proclaim from the heart of our ancient city that the ancient enemy of Ireland, the enemy that exhausted the resources of Hell to destroy our people, is still our only living enemy to-day.

We have come to proclaim it openly, defiantly, and successfully. And we are proud that from our fine old native city a voice shall go forth to declare that Cork stands for Ireland first and last, before all empires new and old, but chiefly and above all before the British Empire. Yes, and we can see already the fire of old days light up in the eyes of our fellow citizens when they hear that Cork is rallying to Ireland, that Cork is true to the historic traditions of our land, that Cork is jealous of her own proud and high repute, and burns anew to lay bare the sword for Ireland, the old Ireland that is ever young, the Ireland of the Gael.

Let that be understood, the Ireland of Cuchulainn and Fionn, of Patrick and Columbcille. For the insufferable insolence of those people, superior and condescending, new-come from the later Pale to praise us – praise with its insolent limitations, deigning preciously to acknowledge our limited rights – always emphasising the limitations, we have come to lash their insolence and teach them respect for our former dignity and future destiny.

We know that deep in the hearts of the people of this city is loyalty to our ancient race, that baffled and bewildered by a degenerate press and slavish public men, Cork but awaits a voice to arouse her with the old appeal to the old flag, and that loyalty of hers to Ireland’s splendid destiny will become manifest and burning till it burns up for ever weakness, disgrace, and treachery.

We know that the best spirits in Cork are aching to give evidence of their allegiance to Ireland, the Ireland of imperishable tradition, and to disown all those who are blind to her honour and unworthy of her destiny. Rally to us, then, fellow-citizens, and we shall let our comrades elsewhere in Ireland know that when the battle is again set for Ireland and the call to the field is sounded, wherever the fight is thickest, there we in Cork shall claim an honourable place.

OUR LATER PROPHETS.

When our anger flares up at the underbred manner, vulgarity, and insolence of the later Palesmen, who come to us condescending and patronising, we can answer them in only one way, with the pride of the Gael; we tell them we are born of an older race and finer blood. We know it is the one way to answer them; but when that is said, we know also the question is not of race only; there is the higher bond in the immortal spirit, the breath of God in man that animated our people away back in the mists of history, the same breath that burns pure and clear to-day in the later children of our land.

We despise and repudiate the new Palesmen, not because of their late arrival, but because of their great presumption and little principle. And our hand is not only to the people of the Gael. How we take to our hearts Emmet and Tone, Mitchel and Davis! No, we reiterate, it is not a question of flesh and stock; and exulting we make a hymn of the great truth; it is in the immortal spirit lies the succession to our land. Davis is the spiritual son of Cormac, Emmet of countless martyrs to freedom; the gallant soldier, Tone, of the valiant Owen Roe – both alike done to death by treachery. Spirit of Shane the Proud, what finer spiritual son could you desire than the spirit of the later Shane, the proud and gallant Mitchel?

Yes, the succession of our race shall be known by this infallible test of the spirit; and pause and hear, while our later prophets speak; Emmet, calm and confident on the verge of the grave, commanding his epitaph be not written – not till we win a partial freedom, but till Ireland stands among the nations; Davis repudiating the bauble of a parliament that gives not a genuine freedom; Tone, who would strike Ireland for ever clear of her ancient and treacherous foe; and Mitchel, who put Ireland’s historic faith in one line: ‘The passionate aspiration for Irish nationhood will outlive the British Empire.’

OUR PURPOSE.

We take as our headline this prophecy of Mitchel’s, and it is our purpose to labour to make it good. The present crisis has called us into being – not to disseminate news but principles; to help in framing a policy for Ireland consistent with her sovereign rights, that will seize the opportunity of the moment, and restore to her the supreme power of deciding her affairs within her and her relations without. That is our minimum; anything less would be inconsistent with the vigour of the battle our fathers waged, inconsistent with the conscious vitality of our people too-day stripping for another fight.

FIANNA FÁIL, THE IRISH ARMY.

It has been suggested an Irish name will lead many people to believe the paper is written in Irish. To meet English speakers, we adopt as a sub-title for a few issues ‘The Irish Army;’ but we distinctly wish to be known as Fianna Fáil. The correct pronunciation is simple and musical, and we wish to popularise it—Fee-anna Faw-il.

OUR NAME.

Fianna Fáil, our name is significant. It is the name of the ancient soldiers of Ireland, of Fionn and his Fian, the armed patriots who held Ireland against the might of Rome. And it is our conception of an armed citizenship now, that it should fulfil the same high destiny to-day—to win Ireland from the Empire that oppresses her, and hold Ireland against all empires that may threaten her. For such a mighty battle is needed a splendid faith. But we have the faith—we believe in God.

OUR FAITH.

There is our strength. We put our faith in God, and in our bounding exultation we deny and despise all the current heresies. We do not believe in the almighty Russian steam-roller. We do not believe in the almighty British fleet—if still afloat. We do not believe in the British providence. It is a pagan deity, ugly and discredited. And we assert that the daily press of these countries is a pagan press, lying and infamous, worshipping only material power, comfort, and luxury; and on that pagan press we breathe anathema. We stand strong in our belief in God, the eternal and all-wise God, who has humbled our ancient and bitter enemy, and who will give liberty to our faithful people. If any man arise to say—‘dreamer, impossible,’ we reply—‘scorn on you, heretic.’ Put your faith in God, and you will find these glorious things possible, and you will laugh at danger and you will cease to be terrified at death—for through the gates of death our country shall pass to freedom, and recover her former greatness and glory.

THE PRESENT NEED.

In view of the special difficulties of publishing a paper at this juncture, when even the heavily financed daily press has to economise, we thought it better to begin with four pages. Otherwise our journal would have been an eight-page one, and we hope before long to increase to that size. At the present moment, however, the most important thing is to have some paper, no matter how small, in which to make articulate the National feelings of Cork that can find no outlet in the local press. It is no exaggeration to say that we are at a turning-point in Irish history, and how far the battle will be turned in our favour will depend on our own persistence and self-sacrifice. Many are so conscious of this, and so eager to strike out in the right direction, that they will welcome a lead. And we give them the lead. So utterly and inconceivably base has the daily press become, that it is imperative to make every effort to counter and destroy its influence. It may perhaps always appeal to the mob-mind; but we know the true heart and spirit of the people can yet be reached with sincere thinking and straight speaking; and knowing, too, that we can count on help in the good work, we appeal to all our friends to assist. And we promise them that our existence will soon be justified.

FUTURE ISSUES.

We hope to publish from week to week news and reports of Volunteer and Cumann na mBan doings, and to help in every way in consolidating our Irish army. Volunteer Corps at a distance are invited to send reports, which must be brief. There should be more cohesion between Cork City and County Corps as a whole. With fuller local Volunteer news, we hope to arouse mutual interest among individual units, leading to more co-operation and progress generally. Records of drill, marching, and shooting will be kept, with a view to spurring each unit to train and become the crack corps of the County. It will remain our chief purpose to influence opinion, and articles on National principles and ideals will hold the first place in our programme.

CONTRIBUTORS.

Articles, correspondence, contributions of any kind appropriate for a militant Ireland will be welcome, but the work must be voluntary. We, ourselves, take it as a matter of course that we should do what in us lies, without fee or reward, for the cause of Irish Independence. Those animated by a like spirit, whom we believe to be many, we shall always hail as comrades, give them the hospitality of our columns, and with them strengthen the Irish Army for Irish Freedom.