| Sinn Féin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| President | Gerry Adams MP MLA |
| Founded | 1905 (original party), 1970 (Provisional Sinn Féin, see history below) |
| Headquarters | 44 Parnell Square Dublin, Republic of Ireland also: 53 Falls Road Belfast, Northern Ireland[1] BT12 4PD |
| Political Ideology | Irish republicanism, Left-wing nationalism, Democratic socialism |
| International Affiliation | none |
| European Affiliation | none |
| European Parliament Group | European United Left - Nordic Green Left |
| Colours | Green |
| Website | www.sinnfein.ie |
| See also | |
Sinn Féin (IPA: /ˌʃɪnˈfeɪn/, Irish pronunciation: [ʃɪnʲ fʲeːnʲ]) is a political party in Ireland. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic Left-wing nationalism is a political movement geared to overcoming the losses and disadvantages experienced by a country due to economic pressure or Deep integration with another Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements tendencies and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation European United Left–Nordic Green Left is a socialist, eco-socialist and communist political group with seats in the European Parliament since Green is a Color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a Wavelength of roughly 520–570- nm. The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary representative democratic Republic. There are a number of political parties in the Republic of Ireland, and Coalition governments are common The Republic of Ireland elects on national level a Head of state — the President — and a Legislature. The politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes place in the framework of a Constitutional monarchy, in which the Monarch is Head This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. Brief history and overview Prior to the mid-19th century Politics in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom has five distinct types of Elections UK general elections elections to national/regional parliaments and assemblies elections to the European Parliament Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Founded by Arthur Griffith in 1905, it is the principal party of Irish republicanism and its political ideology is left-wing. Arthur Griffith (Art Ó Gríobhtha 31 March 1872 &ndash 12 August 1922 was the founder and third leader of Sinn Féin. Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic The name translates as "ourselves" or "we ourselves",[2] though it has often been rendered as "ourselves alone".
Sinn Féin is currently the second-largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly, where it has four ministerial posts (including Deputy First Minister) in the power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive, and the fifth-largest party in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, the parliament of the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly ( Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann Semmlie) is the devolved The First Minister and the deputy First Minister (Irish Céad-Aire agus an Leas-Chéad-Aire, Ulster Scots: Heid Männystèr an tha Heid Männystèr depute The Northern Ireland Executive is the executive arm of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the devolved Legislature for Northern Ireland ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament The Oireachtas (ɛrʲaxt̪ˠasˠ is the "national parliament" or Legislature of Ireland, sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Its current leader is Gerry Adams. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster
History
Early days (pre-1916)
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Irish Political History series  |
| Republicanism
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| Republicanism |
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– in Ireland |
| Key documents |
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Proclamation of the Republic |
| Parties & Organisations |
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Aontacht Éireann |
| Publications |
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An Phoblacht · Daily Ireland |
| Strategies |
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Abstentionism |
| Symbols |
| Other movements |
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Loyalism {{IrishL}} |
The early Sinn Féin movement was far from being the organised political party it would later become. The Proclamation of the Republic, also known as the 1916 Proclamation or Easter Proclamation, was a document issued by the Irish Volunteers and Irish The Declaration of Independence (Forógra na Saoirse Déclaration d'Indépendance was a document adopted by Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament of the self-proclaimed In 1919 the First Dáil of the Irish Republic issued a Message to the Free Nations of the World (Scéal Ó Dháil Éireann Chum Saor-Náisiún an Domhain Appel aux The Democratic Programme was a declaration of economic and social principles adopted by the First Dáil at its first meeting on 21 January 1919 The Constitution of Dáil Éireann (Bunreacht Dála Éireann was the constitution of the 1919–22 Irish Republic. The Anglo-Irish Treaty (An Conradh Angla-Éireannach officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a Treaty The Executive Authority (External Relations Act 1936 was an enactment of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament in 1936. The Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann came into force on 29 December 1937 after having been passed by a national plebiscite the previous July The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is an Act of the Oireachtas whose primary provisions were to declare that the state Ireland, is a Republic and that the President The IRA Green Book is a training and induction manual issued by the Irish Republican Army to new volunteers The New Ireland Forum was established in Ireland in May 1983 by then Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald to discuss ways of bringing peace and stability to the The Anglo-Irish Agreement was an agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland which aimed to bring an end to The Troubles in Northern Ireland The Agreement, most often referred to as the Belfast Agreement (Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste Belfast Greeance or the Good Friday Agreement (Comhaontú Aoine an Article 2 and Article 3 of the Constitution of Ireland ( Bunreacht na hÉireann) were adopted with the constitution as a whole on 29 December 1937 but completely For the Celtic Rock band formerly known as Clan na Gael see Seven Nations. Clann na Poblachta n̪ˠə pʷɔbʷłəxt̪ˠə (Family of the Republic was an Irish republican political party founded by former Irish Republican Army Chief of The Communist Party of Ireland ( CPI; Irish: Páirtí Cumannach na hÉireann) is a small all-Ireland Marxist party founded in 1933 Cumann na mBan (ˈkumˠən̪ˠ n̪ˠə mˠɒn̪ˠ Women's League is an Irish republican women's paramilitary organisation formed in Dublin on April 1914 as an auxiliary Cumann na Poblachta n̪ˠə pʷɔbʷłəxt̪ˠə ( League of the Republic in English) was an Irish republican political party Cumann Poblachta na hÉireann pʷɔbʷłəxt̪ˠə n̪ˠə heːɼən̪ˠ Society of Ireland" was a political party established by the Irish Republican Army in 1936 Córas na Poblachta n̪ˠə pʷɔbʷłəxt̪ˠə ( Republican Plan in English) was a minor Irish republican political party founded in 1940 The name Fianna Éireann (ˈfʲiənə ˈeːɾʲən) also rendered as Fianna na hÉireann and Na Fianna Éireann ( Irish: " Soldiery of Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Independent Fianna Fáil (Fianna Fáil Neamhspleách was a splinter republican party created by Neil Blaney after his expulsion from Fianna Fáil following the Irish The Irish Citizen Army ( Irish name: Arm Cathartha na hÉireann) or ICA was a small group of trained Trade union volunteers established in Dublin The Irish National Invincibles (Dosháraithe Náisiúnta na hÉireann usually known as "the Invincibles" were a radical IRB splinter group active in Dublin The Irish National Liberation Army ( INLA; Arm Saoirse Náisiúnta na hÉireann in Irish is an Irish Republican, Left-wing paramilitary organisation The Irish Republican Army ( IRA) (Óglaigh na hÉireann was a military organisation descended from the Irish Volunteers, established 25 November 1913 and who This article deals with the Irish republican organisation opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty styling itself "Irish Republican Army" as it existed from the time of the Treaty The Continuity Irish Republican Army ( CIRA) is an Irish republican Paramilitary organisation that emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA The term Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA (informally the Officials) refers to one of the two organisations&mdashthe other being the Provisional The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the The Real Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as the Real IRA (RIRA or True IRA and styling itself as Óglaigh na hÉireann (Volunteers The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic Republic" in the mid nineteenth The Irish Socialist Republican Party was a pivotal Irish political party founded in 1896 by James Connolly. The Irish Republican Socialist Party ( IRSP) is an republican Socialist party meaning that it is both Marxist and republican Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split The Red Republican Party was a small Socialist organisation in Ireland. The Republican Congress was an Irish Republican political organisation founded in 1934 when left wing republicans left the Irish Republican Army. Republican Sinn Féin ( RSF; Irish: Sinn Féin Poblachtach) is a Political party operating in Ireland. For the paramilitary group of the 1960s and 1970s see Saor Éire (1967-1975. The Society of United Irishmen was founded as a Liberal political organisation in eighteenth century Ireland that sought Parliamentary reform The Workers Party of Ireland (in Irish Páirtí na nOibrithe, though its logo translates it erroneously as Páirtí na nOibri) is a left wing Irish Young Ireland ( Irish: Éire Óg) was a political cultural and social movement which was to revolutionise the way that Irish nationalism was perceived History The organisation was founded on 7 December 1997 at a meeting in Fingal in Dublin by republican activists who were opposed to the direction An Phoblacht ( Irish for "The Republic" is the official Newspaper of Sinn Féin Daily Ireland was an Irish daily newspaper which existed from January 2005 to September 2006 to cover news stories from an Irish republican viewpoint The Irish Press was an Irish Newspaper published by Irish Press plc between September 5 1931, on the eve of the 1931 Kilkenny v Cork The Sunday Press was a weekly newspaper published in Ireland from 1949 until 1995. Republican News was a longstanding newspaper/magazine published by Sinn Féin. SAOIRSE Irish Freedom is the monthly organ of Republican Sinn Féin. The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly Newspaper, published in the 19th century The United Irishman title has been a very popular newspaper title in Ireland and a number of newspapers have been published under the title Abstentionism is standing for Election to a Deliberative assembly while refusing to take up any seats won or otherwise participate in the assembly's business Éire Nua, or "New Ireland" was a political strategy of the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin during the 1970s and early 1980s Physical force Irish republicanism is a term used to describe the recurring appearance of non-parliamentary violent insurrection in Ireland between 1798 and the present The Armalite and the ballot box strategy was a strategy pursued by the Irish republican movement in the 1980s and early 1990s in which elections in Northern Ireland Tuas is largely an industrial zone located in the western part of Singapore. The Easter Lily is a Badge worn at Easter by Irish republicans as symbol of remembrance for Irish combatants who died during or were executed after the Ulster loyalism is a militant unionist ideology held mostly by Protestants in Northern Ireland. The King was the Head of state of the 1922–1937 Irish Free State. Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and It was initially a community of likeminded individuals that crystallised around the propaganda campaign of Arthur Griffith, a nationalist printer and typesetter, and William Rooney, a republican office clerk, both of whom were extremely active in Dublin's nationalist clubs at the beginning of the 20th century. Arthur Griffith (Art Ó Gríobhtha 31 March 1872 &ndash 12 August 1922 was the founder and third leader of Sinn Féin. In his account of the movement's early years, the propagandist Aodh de Blácam says that Sinn Féin "was not a party: it was the amorphous propaganda of the Gaelicised young men and women"[3].
Griffith was first and foremost a newspaperman with an impressive network of friends in the Dublin printing industry. His newspapers, the United Irishman and Sinn Féin, and his Sinn Féin Printing & Publishing Company channeled the enormous energy of the self-help generation into an unorthodox political project based on the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy of 1867 and the theories of the German nationalist economist Friedrich List. The Sinn Féin Printing & Publishing Company, Ltd (1906-1914 was a Dublin-based enterprise founded by Arthur Griffith, chief propagandist of the nationalist Sinn The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 (Ausgleich Kiegyezés established the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Friedrich List ( August 6, 1789 – November 30, 1846) was a leading 19th Century German and American Economist who developed
Tapping into the growing self-awareness of an Irish identity which was reflected in movements like the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge) and in the founding of the Abbey Theatre, he created a loose federation of nationalist clubs and associations which competed with John Redmond's Irish Parliamentary Party to embody the aspirations of 20th-century nationalists. The Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA) ( Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael /'kʊmˠən̪ˠ 'l̪ˠuh Conradh na Gaeilge ( 'The Gaelic League' is an organization "for the purpose of keeping the Irish language spoken in Ireland. The Abbey Theatre (Amharclann na Mainistreach also known as the National Theatre of Ireland (Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann is a Theatre located in Dublin
The Sinn Féin Party was founded on November 28, 1905, when in the Rotunda, Dublin the first annual Convention of the National Council was held. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The meeting began at 11am and among delegates were Arthur Griffith, Edward Martyn, Thomas Martin, John Sweetman, Jenny Wyse-Power, Padraig Mac Piarais, Marie de Buitléir, Patrick McCartan, Oliver St. John Gogarty, Peadar Ó Cearnaigh, Sean T Ó Ceallaigh, Michael O'Hanrahan and William Cosgrave. Arthur Griffith (Art Ó Gríobhtha 31 March 1872 &ndash 12 August 1922 was the founder and third leader of Sinn Féin. Edward Martyn (1859 &ndash 1923 of Tullira Castle Ardrahan, Co John Sweetman (9 August 1844 – 8 September 1936 was an Irish politician who became the President of Sinn Féin for the year 1908 Patrick Henry Pearse (also known as Pádraig Pearse; Pádraig Anraí Mac Piarais An Piarsach; 10 November 1879 &ndash 3 May 1916 was a teacher barrister Dr Patrick McCartan (13 March 1878 – 28 March 1966 was an Irish republican and politician Oliver Joseph St John Gogarty ( August 17, 1878 - September 22, 1957) was an Irish Physician and ear surgeon Peadar Kearney (Peadar Ó Cearnaígh 12 December, 1883 &ndash 23 November, 1942) was an Irish Republican and composer of numerous Seán Thomas O'Kelly (Seán Tomás Ó Ceallaigh 25 August 1882–23 November 1966 was the second President of Ireland (1945–1959 Michael O'Hanrahan ( March 17, 1877 &ndash May 4, 1916) was an Irish rebel who took an active role in the 1916 Easter Rising William Thomas Cosgrave (Liam Tomás Mac Cosgair 6 June 1880 &ndash 16 November 1965 known generally as W [4]
It was Conradh na Gaeilge activist, Maire de Buitléir, who suggested to Arthur Griffith the name Sinn Féin for the new movement. Conradh na Gaeilge ( 'The Gaelic League' is an organization "for the purpose of keeping the Irish language spoken in Ireland. In a letter of sympathy to her sister, following Maire’s death in 1920, Arthur Griffith wrote from Mountjoy Jail:
"…Did you know that it was she who christened this movement which has at last got Ireland out of the corner in which her oppressor had hidden her away and made her people again valiant? It was she who suggested the name Sinn Féin to me one day at the end of 1904. Her name will forever be linked with its history. "[5]
In his writings, Griffith declared that the Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1800 was illegal and that, consequently, the Anglo-Irish dual monarchy which existed under Grattan's Parliament and the so-called Constitution of 1782 was still in effect. The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are Henry Grattan (3 July 1746 &ndash 6 June 1821 was a member of the Irish House of Commons and a campaigner for legislative freedom for the Irish Parliament in the The Constitution of 1782 is a collective term given to a series of legal changes which freed the Parliament of Ireland, a mediaeval body made up of the Irish House
Others date the foundation of Sinn Féin to May 1906, when Griffith launched a paper called Sinn Féin, or to April 1907, when an organisation called the Sinn Féin League was established (Griffith was opposed to it), or to September 1907, when Griffith incorporated the League into a new Sinn Féin organisation, moving Sinn Féin from an idea to an actual party structure. [6]
Though Sinn Féin had a high name recognition factor among some voters it attracted minimal support. In August 1909, it had only 581 paid-up members throughout all of Ireland. 211 were in Dublin, while Sligo had only 2 members, a student and a shopkeeper. Sligo (disambiguation Sligo ( (ˈslaɪɡoʊ "sly-go" Irish ˈɕlʲɪɟəx is the County town of County Sligo in Ireland. [7] By 1915, it was, in the words of one of Griffith's colleagues, "on the rocks", so insolvent financially that it could not pay the rent on its party headquarters in Harcourt Street in Dublin. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. It was partially rescued by the mistaken belief among the British administration running Ireland from Dublin Castle that it had been behind the 1916 Rising, an unsuccessful attempt to establish an Irish Republic, the failure of talks in late 1916 between Unionists and Nationalists, presided over by David Lloyd George, to agree home rule, and the Conscription Crisis on 1917. Dublin Castle (Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, is a major Irish governmental complex formerly the fortified The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only A conscription crisis is a public dispute about a policy of Conscription, or mandatory service in the military also known as a "draft"
The Easter Rising
Sinn Féin was wrongly blamed by the British for the Easter Rising, with which it had no association, apart from a desire of separation stronger than Home Rule — the leaders of the Rising were certainly looking for more than Dual Monarchy. The Easter Rising (Éirí Amach na Cásca was a rebellion staged in Ireland in Easter Week, 1916 Home rule refers to a demand that constituent parts of a state be given greater self-government within the greater administrative purview of the central government Any group that disagreed with mainstream constitutional politics was branded 'Sinn Féin' by British commentators. The term 'Sinn Féin Rebellion' was also used by the Irish media, the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) and even by a few of those involved in the Rising. The Royal Irish Constabulary ( RIC) ( Irish: Constáblacht Ríoga na hÉireann) was one of Ireland's two police forces in the early twentieth century The Dublin Metropolitan Police ( DMP) was the Police force of Dublin, Ireland, from 1836 to 1925 when it amalgamated into the new Garda
Surviving leaders of the Rising under Éamon de Valera took over the party. Éamon de Valera (ˈeɪmən dɛvəˈlɛrə (born Edward George de Valera) (14 October 1882 &ndash 29 August 1975 was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century De Valera replaced Griffith as president. It nearly split between its monarchist and republican wings at its 1917 Ard Fheis (conference) until, in a compromise motion, it proposed the establishment of an independent republic, after which the people could decide whether they wanted a monarchy or republic, subject to the condition that if they chose a monarchy, no member of the British Royal Family could serve as monarch. An Ardfheis or Ard Fheis ( pronounced ˈɛɕ plural Ardfheiseanna) (Ardfheis is an annual convention or special convention usually of a political party
Sinn Féin was boosted by the anger over the execution of Rising leaders, even though before the executions, the Irish Independent newspaper (the biggest selling daily newspaper in Ireland then) and many local authorities actually called for the mass execution of Rising leaders. The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest selling daily newspaper Yet even that public sympathy did not give Sinn Féin decisive electoral advantage. It fought a tough battle with the Irish Parliamentary Party under John Redmond, later John Dillon, with each side winning by-elections. The Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP (commonly called the Irish Party was formed in 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Nationalist Party, replacing John Edward Redmond (Seán Éamonn Mac Réamoinn (1 September 1856 &ndash 6 March 1918 was an Irish nationalist Politician, Barrister, MP John Dillon (4 September 1851 – 4 August 1927 was an Irish land reform agitator Irish Home Rule activist nationalist politician Member of Parliament It was only after the Conscription Crisis, when Britain threatened to impose conscription to boost its war effort that support swung decisively behind Sinn Féin. The Conscription Crisis of 1918 stemmed from a move by the Government of the United Kingdom to impose Conscription in Ireland, and contributed to pivotal World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Efforts were made to agree an amicable form of home rule and to negotiate a deal between the Irish Unionist Party (IUP) and the Irish Parliamentary Party, in the 'Irish Convention' arranged by former IUP leader Walter Long in 1917. The Irish Unionist Alliance (also known as the Irish Unionist Party) was a Unionist party founded in Ireland in the second half of the 19th century The Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP (commonly called the Irish Party was formed in 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Nationalist Party, replacing The Irish Convention was an assembly which sat in Ireland from July 1917 until March 1918 to address the Irish Question and other constitutional problems Walter Hume Long 1st Viscount Long ( 13 July 1854 - 26 September 1924) the son of Richard Penruddocke Long, was a British These were undermined by his cabinet colleague David Lloyd George and were not attended by Sinn Féin.
First elections
Sinn Féin won 73 of Ireland's 105 seats in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland parliament at the general election in December 1918 and many of the seats it won were uncontested. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 The Irish general election of 1918 was that part of the 1918 United Kingdom general election that took place in Ireland.
There were four reasons for this. Firstly, despite being the largest party in Ireland for forty years, the IPP had not fought a general election since 1910. In many parts of Ireland its organisation had decayed and was no longer capable of mounting an electoral challenge.
Other seats were uncontested because of mass support, with other parties deciding that there was no point in challenging Sinn Féin given it was certain to win. Contemporary documents also suggest a degree of intimidation of opponents. (Piaras Béaslaí recorded one example in a by-election in Longford in 1917 where a Sinn Féin activist put a gun against the head of a Returning Officer and forced him to announce the election of the Sinn Féin candidate even though the IPP candidate had more votes. Piaras Béaslaí (15 February 1881 &ndash 22 June 1965 was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a member of Dáil Éireann and also an Irish A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant Longford ( An Longfort in Irish) is the county town of County Longford in the Midlands of Ireland. In various parliamentary systems a Returning Officer is responsible for overseeing Elections in one or more constituencies
Potential candidates who were thought of as serious challengers to Sinn Féin candidates were warned against seeking election in some Ulster constituencies and in Munster. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. Because so many of the seats were uncontested under sometimes dubious circumstances, it has been difficult to determine what the actual support for the party was in the country.
Various accounts range from 45% to 80%. The author of the site on elections in the North estimates a figure of 53%. [8] Another estimate would suggest Sinn Féin had the support of approximately 65% of the electorate (unionists accounting for approximately 20-25% and other nationalists for the remainder). Lastly, emigration was very difficult during the war, which meant that tens thousands of young people were in Ireland who would not have been there under normal circumstances.
On 21 January 1919, 30 of the Sinn Féin MPs assembled in Dublin's Mansion House and proclaimed themselves the parliament of Ireland, Dáil Éireann. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament They elected an Aireacht (ministry) headed by a Príomh Aire (prime minister). The Aireacht or Ministry was the cabinet of the 1919–1922 Irish Republic. The President of Dáil Éireann was the leader of the revolutionary Irish Republic of 1919&ndash1921 Though the state was declared to be a republic, no provision was made for a head of state. This was rectified in August 1921 when the Príomh Aire (also known as President of Dáil Éireann was upgraded to President of the Republic, a full head of state. President of the Republic was the title given to the head of the Irish ministry or Aireacht in August 1921 by an amendment to the Dáil Constitution, which replaced
In the 1920 city council elections, Sinn Féin gained control of ten of the twelve city councils in Ireland. There are officially eleven cities in Ireland between the two jurisdictions in Ireland, five of these in Northern Ireland and six of them in the Republic of Ireland Only Belfast and Derry remained under Unionist and IPP (respectively) control. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and In the local elections of the same year, they won control of all the county councils except Antrim, Down, Londonderry and Armagh. Since the late 16th century the Island of Ireland has been divided into 32 counties ( Irish language contae or condae County Antrim ( Contae Aontroma or simply Aontroim in Irish) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, and one of nine counties County Down, ( Ulster Scots: Coontie Doun. is one of the nine counties that form the province of Ulster and one of six counties that form County Armagh ( Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland
Sinn Féin subsequently underwent successive splits (1922, 1926, 1970 and 1986), from which emerged a range of parties, Cumann na nGaedhael, now known as Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Official Sinn Féin, later Sinn Féin The Workers Party, later The Workers Party and then Democratic Left, which finally joined the Labour Party after serving in government with them, and Republican Sinn Féin. Cumann na nGaedhael (ˈkʊmən nə ˈŋɰeːɫ "Society of the Gaels" sometimes spelt Cumann na nGaedheal, was an Irish language name given Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, shortened to Fine Gael (ˌfina gail meaning Family of the Irish or Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split The Workers Party of Ireland (in Irish Páirtí na nOibrithe, though its logo translates it erroneously as Páirtí na nOibri) is a left wing Irish The Labour Party (Páirtí an Lucht Oibre is a Democratic socialist and Social democratic Political party in the Republic of Ireland. Republican Sinn Féin ( RSF; Irish: Sinn Féin Poblachtach) is a Political party operating in Ireland.
The split over the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Following the conclusion in December 1921 of the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations between representatives of the British Government and de Valera's republican government and the narrow approval of the Treaty by Dáil Éireann, a state called the Irish Free State was established. Éamon de Valera (ˈeɪmən dɛvəˈlɛrə (born Edward George de Valera) (14 October 1882 &ndash 29 August 1975 was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century The Anglo-Irish Treaty (An Conradh Angla-Éireannach officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a Treaty The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in London on 6 December 1921. Dáil Éireann (English Assembly of Ireland) was the revolutionary unicameral parliament of the unilaterally declared Irish Republic The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by Northern Ireland (a six county region set up under the British Government of Ireland Act 1920) opted out, as the Treaty allowed. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of An Act to Provide for the Better Government of Ireland, more usually the Government of Ireland Act 1920, (and sometimes called the Fourth Home Rule Act) was an Act
The reasons for the split were various, though the IRA did not split in the North and pro- and anti-treaty republicans looked to pro-treaty Michael Collins for leadership (and weapons). Michael John ("Mick" Collins (Mícheál Seán Ó Coileáin 16 October 1890 &ndash 22 August 1922 was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for One of the principal reason for the split is usually described as the question of the Oath of Allegiance to the Irish Free State, which members of the new Dáil would be required to take. An oath of allegiance is an Oath whereby a subject or Citizen acknowledges his/her duty of Allegiance and swears loyalty to his Monarch It explicitly recognised that the Irish Free State would be part of the British Commonwealth and many republicans found that unacceptable. The pro-treaty forces argued that the treaty gave "freedom to achieve freedom". In the elections of June 1922 in the southern 26 counties de Valera and the anti-treaty Sinn Féin secured 35% of the popular vote. The Irish general election of 1922 took place in Southern Ireland on 16 June 1922 under the provisions of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty to elect a constituent assembly The anti-treaty element of the IRA had formed an Executive that did not consider itself subordinate to the new parliament.
A bitter Irish Civil War (June 1922 – April 1923) erupted between the supporters of the Treaty and its opponents. The Irish Civil War ( June 28 1922 &ndash May 24 1923) pitted supporters of the Anglo-Irish Treaty against its opponents De Valera resigned as President of the Republic and sided with the anti-treatyites. President of the Republic was the title given to the head of the Irish ministry or Aireacht in August 1921 by an amendment to the Dáil Constitution, which replaced The pro-treaty "Free Staters", who amounted to a majority of Sinn Féin TDs, set up the Irish Free State. The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by The pro-treaty Sinn Féin TDs changed the name of the party to Cumann na nGaedhael, subsequently merging with the National Centre Party and the Army Comrades Association or The Blueshirts in 1933 to form Fine Gael. Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, shortened to Fine Gael (ˌfina gail meaning Family of the Irish or Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest The National Centre Party, initially know as the National Farmers and Ratepayers League was a short-lived political party in the Irish Free State. The Army Comrades Association (ACA later named National Guard and better known by their nickname The Blueshirts (Na Léinte Gorma were an The Army Comrades Association (ACA later named National Guard and better known by their nickname The Blueshirts (Na Léinte Gorma were an Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, shortened to Fine Gael (ˌfina gail meaning Family of the Irish or Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest
Having temporarily suspended armed action in the Free State, the movement split again with the departure (March 1926) of its leader Éamon de Valera, after having lost a motion to abandon abstention if the statement of "Fidelity to the King" were abolished. Éamon de Valera (ˈeɪmən dɛvəˈlɛrə (born Edward George de Valera) (14 October 1882 &ndash 29 August 1975 was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century He subsequently founded Fianna Fáil with fellow advocates of participation in constitutional politics, and entered the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann) the following year, forming a government in 1932. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament
1930s to 1968 - Decline to fringe movement
A number of unsuccessful attempts at armed insurrection, including a naïve link-up to procure weapons in the 1940s between some IRA members and the Nazis achieved nothing. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Sinn Féin's inability to garner any increased support from the virtual collapse of the economy in 1950s Ireland, south of the border, is particularly striking.
In the 1960s the party moved to the left, adopting a 'stagist' approach similar to orthodox Communist analysis. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based The party came under the influence of a generation of intellectuals who were associated with the Communist Party of Great Britain's Connolly Association and sought a decisive break from the confessional politics of the past. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB was the largest Communist party in the United Kingdom, though it never became a mass party like the Communist parties of The Connolly Association is an organisation based among Irish Emigrants in Britain which supports the aims of Irish republicanism. The new generation of leaders sought to engage Ulster's Protestant workers in an anti-imperialist popular front. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Imperialism has two meanings one describing an action and the other describing an attitude A popular front is a broad Coalition of different political groupings often made up of leftists and centrists who are united by opposition to another group
At the same time a new generation of Catholics in Northern Ireland benefited from the creation of a welfare state in the UK and were increasingly likely to demand their rights to equality in jobs and housing. The republicans, together with the Communists and a new generation of social democrats, formed the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association to demand an end to discrimination. Social democracy is a Political ideology of the left and centre-left The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association ( Cumann Chearta Sibhialta Thuaisceart Éireann) was an organisation which campaigned for Civil rights in Northern NICRA's campaigns - and the violent response of the Northern Ireland government in Stormont - increasingly destabilised Northern Ireland, particularly as Harold Wilson's Labour government in Britain began to exert political pressure on Stormont for change. James Harold Wilson Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 &ndash 24 May 1995 was one of the most prominent British politicians
1969-1970 Resurgence and "Provisional" / "Official" split
In the end, no reforms were implemented. In August 1969 Northern Ireland was convulsed by a wave of rioting and sectarian attacks, and British troops were sent in to support the (largely Unionist) Royal Ulster Constabulary. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC was the name of the Police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001 The violence, or rather the IRA's minimal response to it, discredited the leftist leadership of the republican movement. Amongst nationalists in Northern Ireland the letters IRA were often satirised as meaning "I Ran Away". At the same time, certain Fianna Fáil politicians in the Republic, fearful of Communism, were instrumental in financing and arming a splinter group that would be more concerned with mounting violent resistance to the northern government than fomenting island-wide socialist revolution. The Arms Crisis or Arms Trial ( Irish: Géarchéim na nAirm or Triail na nAirm) was a Political scandal in the Republic of Ireland
The 1970 split occurred when the increasingly leftist-dominated leadership sought to end the historical policy of abstentionism and engage in non-violent constitutional politics. Abstentionism is standing for Election to a Deliberative assembly while refusing to take up any seats won or otherwise participate in the assembly's business Although a majority of delegates supported the leadership, the two-thirds majority needed to change the party constitution did not materialise. The leadership saw the renewed sectarian conflict as "setting worker against worker" and declined to intervene on the traditionally Nationalist side. Disgusted by what they saw as the incompetence of the leadership, the traditionalists led by Seán Mac Stíofáin and Ruairí Ó Brádaigh split from the IRA and Sinn Féin to form the Provisional IRA and its political wing Provisional Sinn Féin (both bodies were known as 'provisional' after the formation of a 'provisional' army council by the rebels). Seán Mac Stíofáin ( 17 February 1928 &ndash 18 May 2001) was an Irish republican and first chief of staff of the Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (born 2 October 1932 is an Irish republican. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970 The remainder of the party became known as Official Sinn Féin, and evolved into a political party which became a far left force in the Republic of Ireland in the 1980s. Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split
The split was violent and periodic bouts of low level warfare were seen in Belfast and elsewhere. Many individual republicans took their time to decide which side of the division they were on, but in the end Official Sinn Féin remained very much a fringe party in Northern Ireland while its support increased gradually in the Republic. Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split The opposite occurred to Provisional Sinn Féin, with the ironic result that two different Sinn Féin parties exposed the growing gap between the two states on the island of Ireland. Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970
- See main article: Official Sinn Féin
1970s and 1980s
With the Officials' repudiation of violence in 1972, and its move from republicanism to Marxism, Sinn Féin became the political voice of the minority of northern nationalists who saw IRA violence as the means of forcing an end to British rule and institutionalised discrimination against nationalists which, in the words of Ulster Unionist leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate David Trimble, had created "a cold house for Catholics". Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster The Nobel Peace Prize ( Swedish, Danish and Nobels fredspris is one of five Nobel Prizes Bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor William David Trimble Baron Trimble (born 15 October 1944 is a Northern Irish Politician from Northern Ireland who served as leader of the Ulster [9] The British government agreed to legalise Sinn Féin in May 1974, legalising the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force at the same time to placate angry unionists. Her Majesty's Government, or when the monarch is male His Majesty's Government, is the title used by the Government of the United Kingdom, based at A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military force but which are not regarded as having the same status The Ulster Volunteer Force (more commonly referred to as the UVF) is a Loyalist group in Northern Ireland. However, Sinn Féin never succeeded in attracting the majority of Catholic support while the IRA continued its campaign of violence: most Catholics voted for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, under Gerry Fitt and later John Hume. The Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP; Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre is one of the two major nationalist parties in Northern Ireland Gerard "Gerry" Fitt Baron Fitt ( 9 April 1926 &ndash 26 August 2005) was a Northern Irish politician John Hume (born 18 January 1937) is a former Politician in Northern Ireland, founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party A small minority voted for the Alliance Party; small numbers of Catholics also voted for the leading unionist parties, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Democratic Unionist Party and the shortlived Unionist Party of Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI is a Political party in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP, sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or OUP or in a historic sense simply the Unionist Party The Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP) is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. The Unionist Party of Northern Ireland was a political party founded by Brian Faulkner in September 1974. [10] Sinn Féin only achieved the support of the majority of the nationalist community in 2001, three years after the Belfast Agreement. The Agreement, most often referred to as the Belfast Agreement (Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste Belfast Greeance or the Good Friday Agreement (Comhaontú Aoine an
Nationalist alienation in the aftermath of the deaths of ten Republican hunger-strikers in Long Kesh prison in 1981 gave Sinn Féin a springboard into electoral politics in the North. An internal power struggle, between a southern leadership under Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and a northern leadership under Gerry Adams, saw Ó Brádaigh and his associates leave to establish Republican Sinn Féin in 1986, which they claimed was the 'true' Sinn Féin. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (born 2 October 1932 is an Irish republican. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Republican Sinn Féin ( RSF; Irish: Sinn Féin Poblachtach) is a Political party operating in Ireland. The split was over the decision of a majority of Sinn Féin members to alter party policy on abstentionism at the 1986 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis (i. An Ardfheis or Ard Fheis ( pronounced ˈɛɕ plural Ardfheiseanna) (Ardfheis is an annual convention or special convention usually of a political party e. the refusal to accept the legitimacy of, or to participate in, the parliaments of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland); while the policy of abstentionism towards the Westminster British Parliament was continued, it was dropped in relation to Dáil Éireann. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament Under the presidency (from November 1983) of Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin leaders sought to explore wider political engagement through political agitation and the use or threat of violence.
In October 1982 a Sinn Féin function was held at Tralee, attended by, among others, Pat Doherty, Martin Ferris and Martin McGuinness. Tralee (Trá Lí (or Tráigh Lí is the county town of County Kerry, in the southwest corner of Ireland. Patrick "Pat" Doherty ( Irish: Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, (born 18 July 1945) is an Irish Republican politician and Abstentionist Martin Ferris (born 10 February 1952 is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and a former Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA volunteer. James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. According to Sean O'Callaghan, he was informed by McGuinness . Sean O'Callaghan is a former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA who became an Informer for the Garda Síochána . . that he and Gerry Adams were stepping down as Chief of Staff and adjutant-general respectively, to be replaced by McKenna (Kevin McKenna) and Doherty (Pat Doherty). This page is on the Canadian soccer player For Kevin McKenna the member (Volunteer in the Irish Republican Army see List of members of the Irish Republican Army Patrick "Pat" Doherty ( Irish: Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, (born 18 July 1945) is an Irish Republican politician and Abstentionist The reason given was that both Adams and McGuinness had been chosen by Sinn Féin to contest assembly elections in Northern Ireland, which had been called by Jim Prior, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland. James Michael Leathes Prior Baron Prior, PC, known as Jim Prior, (born 11 October 1927) is a British Politician, There is no doubt, however that the supergrass system, an exclusively Northern Ireland phenomenon, also played a part in their decision, for nobody knew where the next supergrass would come from. A supergrass is slang term for an Informer, which originated in London. It was no coincidence that both McKenna and Doherty lived in the Republic and were safe from compromise by a new supergrass. "
Whatever the true explanation, that decision, augmented by the much-later involvement of SDLP leader John Hume in the Hume-Adams dialogue, and the decision of successive Irish Taoisigh (prime ministers), Charles Haughey, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton and Bertie Ahern to initiate and maintain contact with the Sinn Féin leadership, helped produce the Northern Ireland peace process in the 1990s. The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the Albert Reynolds (Ailbhe Mac Raghnaill born 4 November 1932 served as the eighth Taoiseach of Ireland, serving one term in office from 1992 until 1994 John Gerard Bruton (Seán de Briotún born 18 May 1947 served as the ninth Taoiseach of Ireland. Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern ( Irish: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn, born 12 September 1951 is an Irish politician who served
Ironically, Adams and company had originally come to dominate the republican movement because of their unwillingness to compromise and their refusal to contemplate a ceasefire. They reassessed their position after it became clear that British intelligence successes, as well as war weariness meant that a decisive military breakthrough was unlikely and that the violent stalemate would continue.
The new strategy - famously described by Danny Morrison as "a ballot paper in one hand and the Armalite in the other"[11] - was also, if subtly, eventually ditched as republicans again came to terms with the limits on their political success that continued "armed struggle" imposed. Daniel Gerard Morrison (born 1953 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) known generally as Danny Morrison is an Irish republican activist and writer The Armalite and the ballot box strategy was a strategy pursued by the Irish republican movement in the 1980s and early 1990s in which elections in Northern Ireland The very thing that propelled Adams into leadership, his opposition to military ceasefires, now became central to his approach (albeit this time, unlike during previous ceasefires, the IRA would retain their ability to return to violence at short notice).
Electoral performances 1982-1992
In the 1982 Assembly elections, Sinn Féin won five seats with 64,191 votes (10. 1%). The party narrowly missed winning additional seats in Belfast North and Fermanagh and South Tyrone. In the 1983 Westminster elections eight months later saw an increase in Sinn Féin support with the party breaking the 100,000 vote barrier for the first time by polling 102,701 votes (13. 4%). Gerry Adams won the Belfast West constituency with Danny Morrison only 78 votes short of victory in Mid Ulster.
The 1984 European elections however proved to be a disappointment with Sinn Féin's candidate Danny Morrison polling 91,476 (13. 3%) and falling well behind the SDLP candidate John Hume.
By the beginning of 1985 Sinn Féin had won their first representation on local councils due to 3 by-election wins in Omagh (Seamus Kerr, May 1983) and Belfast (Alex Maskey June 1983 and Sean McKnight in early 1984). Three sitting councillors also defected to Sinn Féin in Dungannon, Fermanagh and Derry (the latter defecting from the SDLP. )[12] Sinn Féin succeeded in winning 59 seats in the 1985 local government elections, however the results continued to show a decline from the peak of 1983 as the party won 75,686 votes (11. 8%). The party failed to gain any seats in the 1986 by-elections caused by the resignation of Unionist MPs in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement, partly this was due to an electoral pact between Unionist candidates, however the SF vote fell in the four constituencies they contested.
In the 1987 election Gerry Adams held his Belfast West seat but the party elsewhere failed to make breakthroughs and overall polled 83,389 votes (11. 4%). The same year saw the party contest the Dáil election in the Republic of Ireland, however they failed to win any seats and polled less than 2%.
The 1989 local government elections came in the aftermath of a number of PIRA atrocities most notably the Enniskillen massacre and proved disastrous for SF. Defending 58 seats (the 59 won in 1985 plus two 1987 by-election gains in West Belfast minus three councillors who had defected to Republican Sinn Féin in 1986) the party lost 15 seats. In the aftermath of the election Mitchell McLaughlin admitted that recent PIRA activity had affected the Sinn Féin vote. [13]
The nadir for SF in this period came in 1992, with Gerry Adams losing his Belfast West seat to the SDLP and the SF vote falling in the other constituencies that they had contested relative to 1987.
The Peace Process
The move was also hastened by a series of disastrous IRA attacks, including the killing of people attending a Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen. Enniskillen ( is the county town (and largest town in County Fermanagh and the west of Northern Ireland. Multi-party negotiations began in 1994, without Sinn Féin. The Provisional IRA declared a ceasefire in the autumn of 1994. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the The Conservative government had asked that the IRA decommission all of their weapons before Sinn Féin be admitted to the talks, but the Labour government of Tony Blair let them in on the basis of the ceasefire. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to
Good Friday Agreement
The all-party peace talks led to the Good Friday Agreement of April 10, 1998 (officially known as the Belfast Agreement), which set up an inclusive devolved government in the North, and altered the Southern government's constitutional claim to the whole island in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland. The Agreement, most often referred to as the Belfast Agreement (Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste Belfast Greeance or the Good Friday Agreement (Comhaontú Aoine an Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Article 2 and Article 3 of the Constitution of Ireland ( Bunreacht na hÉireann) were adopted with the constitution as a whole on 29 December 1937 but completely The party has been fully committed to constitutional politics since the Good Friday Agreement, although the unionist demand that the IRA decommission all of its arms led to repeated suspensions of the Assembly. The IRA started decommissioning arms after a deal was agreed restoring the suspended NI Assembly. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 in America have led to a sharp decline in Irish-American tolerance for paramilitary activities.
Increase in support
The party overtook its nationalist rival, the Social Democratic and Labour Party as the largest nationalist party in the 2001 Westminster General Election and Local Election, winning four Westminster seats to the SDLP's three. The Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP; Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre is one of the two major nationalist parties in Northern Ireland Results |} Total votes cast 26368204 All parties with more than 500 votes shown The party however continues to subscribe to an abstentionist policy towards seats in the Westminster British parliament, as taking the seats they won would require them to swear allegiance to the British monarchy and recognise British jurisdiction over Northern Ireland. The party won 5 TDs in the 2002 Republic general election, an increase of four. The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President
It went on to increase its domination of the nationalist vote in the 2003 Assembly elections, with Martin McGuinness, previously Minister for Education, in line to take the post of Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland Power-Sharing Executive Committee, should the executive be reformed. The second elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, which at the time of the elections had been suspended for just over a year were held on Thursday November 26 James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. However, the electoral success of the hardline anti-Agreement Democratic Unionist Party, which replaced the Ulster Unionist Party as the leading unionist party, is thought to make the prospect of setting up a new executive less likely. The Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP) is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP, sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or OUP or in a historic sense simply the Unionist Party Some critics of Sinn Féin allege that the DUP's electoral success, and its resulting threat to the Agreement, was contributed to by the failure of the PIRA to decommission its weapons, a decision that seriously undermined the ability of the pro-Agreement David Trimble to win majority unionist community support. William David Trimble Baron Trimble (born 15 October 1944 is a Northern Irish Politician from Northern Ireland who served as leader of the Ulster Sinn Féin does not accept that allegation and sees little difference between the two unionist parties.
For a period of time after 1999 (when Democratic Left, who had a councillor in Dungannon, merged with Labour), Sinn Féin was the only Irish party with elected representatives on both sides of the border. The Green Party in Northern Ireland voted to become a region of the Irish Green Party in 2005. The Green Party in Northern Ireland originated in the early 1980s partly as a result of the Green Movement which was sweeping across Western Europe and partly because of the massive Several other parties organise on both sides of the border, including Fianna Fáil and the Irish Labour Party.
Latest developments
When Sinn Féin and the DUP became the largest parties of the two communities, it was clear (because of the dual majority required by the Good Friday Agreement) that no deal could be made without the support of both parties. They nearly reached a deal in November 2004, but the DUP had a requirement for visible evidence that decommissioning had been carried out. [14] Sinn Féin then withdrew from talks with the British Government because they refused to provide this visible evidence.
The robbery of £26. The Northern Bank robbery was a large robbery of cash from the Donegall Square headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast, Northern Ireland 5 million from the Northern Bank in Belfast in December 2004 further scuppered chances of a deal. Northern Bank, is a Commercial bank in Northern Ireland It is one of the oldest banks in Ireland having been formed in 1824. Because of the timing of the robbery it is considered that the plans for the robbery must have been laid whilst Sinn Féin was engaged in talks about a possible peace settlement. This undermined confidence within the unionist community about the sincerity of republicans towards reaching agreement. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and In the aftermath of the row over the robbery, a further controversy erupted when, on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme, the chairman of Sinn Féin, Mitchel McLaughlin, insisted that the IRA's controversial killing of a mother of ten young children, Jean McConville, in the early 1970s though "wrong", was not a crime, as it had taken place in the context of the political conflict. Questions and Answers is a topical Debate Television programme in the Republic of Ireland. John Mitchel McLaughlin (born 29 October 1945) is the former General Secretary of Sinn Féin and an MLA. Jean McConville was a Belfast -born mother of 10 who was abducted from her home and killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA on or around Christmas of Politicians from the Republic, along with the Irish media strongly attacked McLaughlin's comments. [15][16]
On 10 February 2005, the government-appointed Independent Monitoring Commission reported that it firmly supported the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Garda assessments that the IRA was responsible for the Northern Bank robbery and that certain senior members of Sinn Féin were also senior members of the IRA and would have had knowledge of and given approval to the carrying out of the robbery. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Independent Monitoring Commission ( IMC) is an organization founded on 7 January, 2004, by a Treaty between the British and The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the Police service that covers Northern Ireland. ga '''''Garda Síochána na hÉireann''''' (ˈgaːrdə ʃiːˈxaːnə nə ˈheːɾʲən Irish for "Peace Guard of Ireland" often rendered [17] Sinn Féin have argued that the IMC is not independent and the inclusion of former Alliance Party Leader John Alderdice and a British security head was proof of this. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI is a Political party in Northern Ireland. John Thomas Alderdice Baron Alderdice (b March 28, 1955) is a Northern Ireland politician [18] It recommended further financial sanctions against Sinn Féin members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Northern Ireland Assembly ( Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann Semmlie) is the devolved The British government responded by saying it would ask MPs to vote to withdraw the parliamentary allowances of the four Sinn Féin MPs elected in 2001. [19]
Gerry Adams responded to the IMC report by challenging the Irish Government to have him arrested for IRA membership, a "crime" in both jurisdictions, and conspiracy. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster In the Criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between Natural persons to break the law at some time in the future and in some cases with at least one overt act [20]
On 20 February 2005, Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell publicly accused three of the Sinn Féin leadership, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris (TD for Kerry North) of being on the seven-man IRA Army Council. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform (Aire Dlí agus Cirt Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí is the senior minister at the Department of Justice Equality Michael McDowell (Mícheál Mac Dubhghaill born 29 May 1951 Senior Counsel of the Irish bar is a former Irish politician who helped found the Progressive Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Martin Ferris (born 10 February 1952 is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and a former Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA volunteer. Kerry North is a Constituency represented by three Teachtaí Dála (TDs in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas. The IRA Army Council is the decision-making body of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, more commonly known as the IRA a Paramilitary group dedicated to bringing Gerry Adams denied this at an address in Strabane and Martin McGuinness denied the allegations in a TV interview on RTÉ. Strabane (strəˈbæn Irish, An Srath Bán, Fair River Valley or White Strand is a Town in the west of County Tyrone and the north-west of [21][22]
On 27 February 2005, a demonstration against the murder of Robert McCartney on 30 January 2005 was held in East Belfast. Events 1560 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Robert McCartney (1971 &ndash 31 January 2005) was the victim of a murder in Belfast, Northern Ireland, allegedly carried out by members of Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Alex Maskey, a former Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast, was told by relatives of McCartney to "stop making stupid comments" to the press following Gerry McKay's demand that Maskey "hand over the 12" IRA members involved. Alex Maskey (born 8 January 1952 is an Irish politician who was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast 's Lord Mayor The Lord Mayor of Belfast is a ceremonial position held by a member of Belfast City Council and annually elected by that council [23] The McCartney family, though formerly Sinn Féin voters themselves, urged witnesses to the crime to contact the PSNI. [24][25] People have been reluctant to do so for two reasons; the traditional mistrust of the police in Northern Ireland by republicans and the nationalist community and fear of reprisal from the IRA. [26] Three IRA men were expelled from the organisation, and a man was charged with McCartney's murder. [27][28]
Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern subsequently called Sinn Féin and the IRA "both sides of the same coin". The Taoiseach (ˈtiːʃəx in English t̪ˠiːʃʲəx (plural Taoisigh ( or) in Irish) also referred to as An Taoiseach ( t̪ˠiːʃʲəx is the the Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern ( Irish: Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn, born 12 September 1951 is an Irish politician who served [29] The ostracism of Sinn Féin was shown in February 2005 when Dáil Éireann passed a motion condemning the party's alleged involvement in illegal activity. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament US President George W. Bush and Senator Edward Kennedy refused to meet Gerry Adams while meeting the family of Robert McCartney. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (born February 22 1932 is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic [30] Senators Kennedy and Hillary Clinton introduced a motion into the US Senate calling on Sinn Féin to break off links with the IRA. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26 1947 is the junior United States Senator from
On 10 March 2005, the British House of Commons in London passed without significant opposition a motion placed by the British Government to withdraw the allowances of the four Sinn Féin MPs for one year in response to the Northern Bank Robbery. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Northern Bank robbery was a large robbery of cash from the Donegall Square headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast, Northern Ireland This measure cost the party approximately £400,000. However, the debate prior to the vote mainly surrounded the more recent events connected with the murder of Robert McCartney. Conservatives and Unionists put down amendments to have the Sinn Féin MPs evicted from their offices at the House of Commons but these were defeated by 358-170 and 357-171 votes respectively. [31]
In March 2005, Mitchell Reiss, the United States special envoy to Northern Ireland, condemned the party's links to the IRA, saying "it is hard to understand how a European country in the year 2005 can have a private army associated with a political party". Mitchell Reiss is a senior American Diplomat and Dean of International Studies at The College of William and Mary. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the [32]
The party expelled Denis Donaldson, a party official, in December 2005, with him stating publicly that he had been in the employ of the British government as an agent since the 1980s. Denis Martin Donaldson ( Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1950 &ndash April 4, 2006 in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland) was Mr Donaldson told reporters that the British security agencies who employed him were behind the collapse of the Assembly and set up Sinn Féin to take the blame for it, a claim disputed by the British Government. [33] Donaldson was found fatally shot in his home in County Donegal on 4 April 2006, and a murder inquiry was launched. County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [34] As of June 2008, nobody has been charged with his murder.
On 2 September 2006, Martin McGuinness publicly stated that Sinn Féin would refuse to participate in a shadow assembly at Stormont, asserting that his party would only take part in negotiations that were aimed at restoring a power-sharing government within Northern Ireland. Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. This development follows a decision on the part of members of Sinn Féin to refrain from participating in debates since the Assembly's recall this past May. The relevant parties to these talks have been given a deadline of 24 November 2006 in order to decide upon whether or not they will ultimately form the executive. Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [35]
On 28 January 2007, a Sinn Féin Ard Fheis was held and its delegates voted overwhelmingly to support the PSNI. Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [36] This ended an 86 year boycott of policing in Northern Ireland. This decision means that Sinn Féin members will sit on Policing Boards and District Policing Partnerships. [37] The decision has received welcome although, some opposition has been evident from people such as former IRA prisoner Gerry McGeough, who stood in the 2007 Assembly Elections against Sinn Féin in the assembly constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Gerry McGeough (born 1958 near Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) is a prominent Irish Republican who was a volunteer in The third elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly were held on 7 March 2007 when 108 new members were selected [38] In 2007 parliamentary election in the Republic of Ireland, Sinn Féin won 4 seats, one less than in 2002 (despite predictions of gain). The Irish general election of 2007 took place on 24 May 2007 after the dissolution of the 29th Dáil by the President on 29 April 2007 at the request of Other parliamentary parties have ruled out government formation with Sinn Féin.
Modern Sinn Féin
The largest of the modern-day Sinn Féin parties is one of only two political parties to have seats in the parliaments of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the other being the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas (which includes the Green Party in Northern Ireland as a regional party). Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The Green Party (Comhaontas Glas lit Green Alliance) is a green Political party in Ireland. The Green Party in Northern Ireland originated in the early 1980s partly as a result of the Green Movement which was sweeping across Western Europe and partly because of the massive Sinn Féin is currently the fourth-largest party in Ireland by vote share.
Sinn Féin is the largest nationalist political party in Northern Ireland, having recently displaced the previously dominant nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in national elections. Tralee (Trá Lí (or Tráigh Lí is the county town of County Kerry, in the southwest corner of Ireland. County Kerry ( Contae Chiarraí in Irish) is a southwestern county of Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP; Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre is one of the two major nationalist parties in Northern Ireland It currently has five MPs (gaining one in the United Kingdom general election of 2005) in the House of Commons (out of eighteen MPs representing Northern Ireland) and twenty-eight Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) (out of a Northern Ireland Assembly membership of 108, making it the second largest, behind the Democratic Unionist Party with thirty-six seats and ahead of both the Ulster Unionist Party who have eighteen and Social Democratic and Labour Party with sixteen seats). A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general A Member of the Legislative Assembly, or MLA, is a representative elected by the voters of an Electoral district to the Legislature or Legislative The Northern Ireland Assembly ( Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann Semmlie) is the devolved The Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP) is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP, sometimes referred to as the Official Unionist Party or OUP or in a historic sense simply the Unionist Party The Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP; Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre is one of the two major nationalist parties in Northern Ireland
It is a much smaller political force, in electoral terms, in the Republic of Ireland, where it currently has four TDs (out of 166) in Dáil Éireann and one member of the Republic's Seanad Éireann (Senate). Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. A Teachta Dála (ˈtʲaxtə ˈdɑːlə is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament Seanad Éireann (ɕan̪ˠad̪ˠ erʲan̪ˠ English Senate of Ireland) also known unofficially as the Senate, is the Upper house of the Oireachtas The party performed less well than expected in the 2007 Dáil elections. Although their overall vote was marginally up, this was only because of a considerable increase in the number of SF candidates. Sinn Féin has two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs); one out of Northern Ireland's three MEPs, and one out of the Republic's thirteen. A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament. It is the only political party in Europe to be represented by members from different EU states. Its MEPs sit as part of the left wing European United Left - Nordic Green Left group in the European Parliament. European United Left–Nordic Green Left is a socialist, eco-socialist and communist political group with seats in the European Parliament since
Sinn Féin had two ministers in the now suspended Executive Committee (cabinet) of the Northern Ireland Assembly but has never sat in cabinet in the Republic. In 2005 the unionist parties indicated that they would not serve in government with Sinn Féin until its relationship with the Provisional Irish Republican Army was terminated. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Since then agreement between Unionist and Republican's has led to a re-opened and revived Executive based at Stormont.
Sinn Féin and other republicans often refer to Northern Ireland as the Six Counties or The North, but rarely Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of This is due to the early 20th century political history of the region - part of the Northern Ireland naming dispute. Northern Ireland was established as a distinct region of the United Kingdom on 3 May 1921 under the terms of the Government of Ireland Act 1920. There are a number of alternative names used for the region of the island of Ireland officially called Northern Ireland.
Links with the IRA
Sinn Féin is the largest group in the Republican wing of Irish nationalism and is associated with the IRA. Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic Irish nationalism (Náisiúnachas Éireannach refers to political and sociological movements and sentiment that embodies a love for Irish ancestry, culture and language and The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the
Sinn Féin organiser Danny Morrison at the party's Ard Fheis (Annual Conference) in 1981, said:
"Who here really believes we can win the war through the ballot box? But will anyone here object if, with a ballot paper in this hand and an Armalite in the other, we take power in Ireland?"[39]
To some, this statement confirmed the relationship between the IRA and Sinn Féin. Daniel Gerard Morrison (born 1953 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) known generally as Danny Morrison is an Irish republican activist and writer An Ardfheis or Ard Fheis ( pronounced ˈɛɕ plural Ardfheiseanna) (Ardfheis is an annual convention or special convention usually of a political party ArmaLite, originally the ArmaLite Division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, is a Small arms manufacturing company
The current British Government stated in 2005 that "we had always said all the way through we believed that Sein Féin and the IRA were inextricably linked and that had obvious implications at leadership level". Her Majesty's Government, or when the monarch is male His Majesty's Government, is the title used by the Government of the United Kingdom, based at [40]
Organisational structure
Sinn Féin is organised throughout Ireland, and membership is open to all Irish residents over the age of 16. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The party is organised hierarchically into cumainn (branches), comhairle ceantair (district executives), cúigí (regional executives). At national level, the Coiste Seasta (Standing Committee) oversees the day-to-day running of Sinn Féin. It is an eight-member body nominated by the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle and also includes the chairperson of each cúige. The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) meets at least once a month. It directs the overall implementation of Sinn Féin policy and activities of the party.
The Ard Chomhairle also oversees the operation of various departments of Sinn Féin, viz Administration, Finance, National Organiser, Campaigns, Ógra Shinn Féin, Women's Forum, Culture, Publicity and International Affairs. Membership Membership is free and open to anyone aged fifteen through twenty-nine who supports a unified Ireland and the establishment of a Democratic socialist It is made up of the following: Officer Board and nine other members, all of whom are elected by delegates to the Ard Fheis, 15 representing the five Cúige regions (three delegates each). The Ard Chomhairle can co-opt eight members for specific posts and additional members can be co-opted, if necessary, to ensure that at least 30 per cent of Ard Chomhairle members are women.
The ard fheis (national delegate conference) is the ultimate policy-making body of the party where delegates - directly elected by members of cumainn - can decide on and implement policy. It is held at least once a year but a special Ard Fheis can be called by the Ard Chomhairle or the membership under special circumstances.
Political views
Apart from the obvious support of a united Ireland, Sinn Féin outlined several other key policies from their most recent election manifesto. A United Ireland is the term used to refer to a sovereign state encompassing the whole of the island of Ireland. Several are listed below:
- The 18 Westminster MPs to be allowed to sit in the Dáil Éireann as full Deputies,
- Ending academic selection within schools,
- Support for a 'Minister for Children'
- An 'All-Ireland-Health-Service' akin to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom,
- Diplomatic pressure to close Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant (in Britain) - which some citizens claim to be polluting Irish waters,
- 'Plastic bag levy' to be extended to Northern Ireland,
- Free breast screening (to check for breast cancer) of all women over forty - presumably in both Northern Ireland and the Republic,
- Aiding the case for equal pay,
- An end to 'mass-deportation' of asylum seekers across the whole of Ireland,
- To further Irish language teaching in Northern Ireland,
- Oppose all water charges,
- An 'all-Ireland' economy with a common currency and one tax policy,
- Support for a 'Minister for Europe' - likely to be used in the Dáil, and,
- Greater investment for those who are disabled. Westminster is an area of Central London, within the City of Westminster. ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament The National Health Service is the name commonly used to refer to the four Publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom collectively or individually (although The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Sellafield is a nuclear processing and former electricity generating site close to the village of Seascale on the coast of the Irish Sea in Cumbria The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Breast cancer is a Cancer that starts in the cells of the Breast in women and men Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of ga '''Dáil Éireann''' ( English House of Representatives of Ireland) is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament
- Sinn Féin proposes a draft Irish Language Bill for the North (Northern Ireland), a Bill that would give the Irish Language the same status that the Welsh language has in Wales. http://www.sinnfein.ie/policies/document/166
- Support for the Basque people's right to self determination, and opposition to the illegal US blockade of Cuba [41]
A vast majority of their policies are intended to be implemented on an 'all-Ireland' basis which further emphasises their central aim of creating a united Ireland.
Sinn Féin usually refers to itself as a democratic socialist or left-wing party and aligns itself with the European United Left–Nordic Green Left. Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements tendencies and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation European United Left–Nordic Green Left is a socialist, eco-socialist and communist political group with seats in the European Parliament since The party pledges support for minority rights, migrants' rights, and eradicating poverty, although it is not in favour of the extension of legalized abortion (British 1967 Act) to the north. Though Sinn Féin state they are also opposed to the attitudes in society, which "pressurise women" to have abortions, and "criminalise" women who make this decision. Sinn Féin do recognize however that in cases of incest, rape, sexual abuse, or when a woman's life and health are at risk or in danger, that the final decision must rest with the woman. [42]
Sinn Féin are urging a "No" vote in the referendum being held in Ireland on 12 June on the Lisbon Treaty. [43]
Ard Chomhairle members 2005 - 2006
Officer Board
-
- Gerry Adams - President
- Pat Doherty - Vice President
- Mitchel McLaughlin - General Secretary
- Mary Lou McDonald - Chairperson
- Margaret Adams - Treasurer
- Treasa Quinn - Treasurer
- Dawn Doyle - Director of Publicity
Ard Fheis elected members 2005 - 2006
-
- Martina Anderson - Derry
- Bairbre de Brún - Belfast
- Dodie McGuinness - Derry
- Gerry Kelly - Belfast
- Daithí Doolan - Dublin
- Martin McGuinness - Derry
- Francie Molloy - Tyrone
- Shannonbrooke Murphy - Galway
- Jacqueline Russell - Leinster
- Alex Maskey - Belfast
- Eibhlin Glenholmes - Belfast
- Aengus Ó Snodaigh - Dublin
Elected representatives
Members of the United Kingdom Parliament
- Gerry Adams, MP for Belfast West
- Martin McGuinness, MP for Mid Ulster
- Michelle Gildernew, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
- Conor Murphy, MP for Newry and Armagh
- Pat Doherty, MP for West Tyrone
All Sinn Féin Westminster MPs follow an abstentionist policy, meaning they do not take their seats in Parliament. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Patrick "Pat" Doherty ( Irish: Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, (born 18 July 1945) is an Irish Republican politician and Abstentionist John Mitchel McLaughlin (born 29 October 1945) is the former General Secretary of Sinn Féin and an MLA. Mary Lou McDonald (Máire L Ni Dhomhnaill (born 1 May 1969 in Dublin) is an Irish politician Martina Anderson MLA (b Bogside, Derry, 1962 is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland, occupies the post of Director of Unionist Engagement Bairbre de Brún (born 10 January 1954 in Dublin) is one of two Sinn Féin MEPs and the first Sinn Féin politician to represent Dodie McGuinness (born 1949 or 1950 is an Irish Republican Politician. Gerard "Gerry" Kelly (Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh born 5 April 1953) is an Irish republican Politician and former Provisional Daithi Doolan, is a Cork native and a current Sinn Féin Councillor on Dublin City Council. James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Francie Molloy ( Irish Proinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh) MLA is a Sinn Féin politician and a deputy speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Alex Maskey (born 8 January 1952 is an Irish politician who was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast 's Lord Mayor Aengus Ó Snodaigh (born 31 July 1964 is a politician in the Ireland. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster For other constituencies of the same name see Belfast West. Belfast West is a Parliamentary Constituency in the UK House James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Mid Ulster is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons. Michelle Gildernew (born 28 March 1970) is an Irish Republican, Sinn Féin politician who has been the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a Parliamentary Constituency in the British House of Commons. Conor Murphy ( Irish: Conchúr Ó Murchú) born 10 July 1963 Newry, County Armagh and since May 8 2007 the Minister for Regional Development Newry and Armagh is a Parliamentary Constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. Patrick "Pat" Doherty ( Irish: Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, (born 18 July 1945) is an Irish Republican politician and Abstentionist West Tyrone is a County constituency in Northern Ireland, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom Abstentionism is standing for Election to a Deliberative assembly while refusing to take up any seats won or otherwise participate in the assembly's business
Members of the European Parliament
- Mary Lou McDonald, MEP for Dublin
- Bairbre de Brún, MEP for Northern Ireland
Members of Dáil Éireann
- Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, TD for Cavan-Monaghan
- Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD for Dublin South Central
- Martin Ferris, TD for Kerry North
- Arthur Morgan, TD for Louth
Member of Seanad Éireann
Member of Údarás na Gaeltachta
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Raymond McCartney, MLA for Foyle
- Martina Anderson, MLA for Foyle
- John O'Dowd, MLA for Upper Bann
- Michelle Gildernew, MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
- Francis Brolly, MLA for East Londonderry
- Paul Butler, MLA for Lagan Valley
- Mitchel McLaughlin, MLA for South Antrim
- Conor Murphy, MLA for Newry and Armagh
- Cathal Boylan, MLA for Newry and Armagh
- Mickey Brady, MLA for Newry and Armagh
- Caitríona Ruane, MLA for South Down
- Willie Clarke, MLA for South Down
- Michelle O'Neill, MLA for Mid Ulster
- Francis Molloy, MLA for Mid Ulster
- Martin McGuinness, MLA for Mid Ulster
- Daithí McKay, MLA for North Antrim
- Pat Doherty, MLA for West Tyrone
- Barry McElduff, MLA for West Tyrone
- Claire McGill, MLA for West Tyrone
- Alex Maskey, MLA for Belfast South
- Gerry Kelly, MLA for Belfast North
- Carál Ní Chuilín, MLA for Belfast North
- Gerry Adams, MLA for Belfast West
- Sue Ramsay, MLA for Belfast West
- Paul Maskey, MLA for Belfast West
- Jennifer McCann, MLA for Belfast West
- Fra McCann, MLA for Belfast West
- *Gerry McHugh, MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Resigned from Sinn Féin on the 3rd of December 2007 over political differences and the nature of decision making at the party level which he regarded as 'top down' and therefore undemocratic. Mary Lou McDonald (Máire L Ni Dhomhnaill (born 1 May 1969 in Dublin) is an Irish politician Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Bairbre de Brún (born 10 January 1954 in Dublin) is one of two Sinn Féin MEPs and the first Sinn Féin politician to represent Northern Ireland is a Constituency of the European Parliament. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (ˈkɰiːvʲiːnʲ oː ˈkɰeːlɑːnʲ born 18 September 1953 is a Sinn Féin politician from Ireland. Cavan-Monaghan is a Constituency used in elections to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of parliament in the Republic of Ireland. Aengus Ó Snodaigh (born 31 July 1964 is a politician in the Ireland. Dublin South Central is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. Martin Ferris (born 10 February 1952 is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and a former Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA volunteer. Kerry North is a Constituency represented by three Teachtaí Dála (TDs in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas. Arthur Morgan (Artúr Ó Muireagáin born 23 July 1954 is a Sinn Féin TD for Louth and is party spokesperson on the Environment Local Government Louth is a Constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. Pearse Doherty (Piaras Ó Dochartaigh born 1978 is a Sinn Féin politician and a member of the 23rd Seanad. The Agricultural Panel is one of five Vocational Panels which together elect 43 members of Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas (the legislature Gráinne Mhic Géidigh (born in Rannafast, County Donegal, Ireland) is the first Sinn Féin board representative of Údarás na Gaeltachta County Donegal (ˌdʌnəˈgɔːl Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall. Raymond McCartney ((Scottish Réamann McCartney. 1954 in Derry, Northern Ireland) is a Sinn Féin politician and a former Hunger striker Foyle is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The seat was first used for a Northern Ireland -only election for the Northern Ireland Forum Martina Anderson MLA (b Bogside, Derry, 1962 is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland, occupies the post of Director of Unionist Engagement John O'Dowd MLA is a Sinn Féin politician in Northern Ireland. Upper Bann is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Michelle Gildernew (born 28 March 1970) is an Irish Republican, Sinn Féin politician who has been the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Fermanagh and South Tyrone is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Francie Brolly MLA is an Irish republican politician in from Dungiven, Northern Ireland and a retired teacher East Londonderry is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Paul Butler MLA ( Irish: Pól de Buitléir) is a republican politician in Northern Ireland. Lagan Valley is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. John Mitchel McLaughlin (born 29 October 1945) is the former General Secretary of Sinn Féin and an MLA. South Antrim is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Conor Murphy ( Irish: Conchúr Ó Murchú) born 10 July 1963 Newry, County Armagh and since May 8 2007 the Minister for Regional Development Newry and Armagh is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Cathal Boylan ( Irish name: Cathal Ó Baoighealláin) MLA has been a councillor on Armagh City and District Council since 2005 Mickey Brady MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. Caitríona Ruane MLA (born 1962 in Swinford, County Mayo) is a Sinn Féin politician and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly South Down is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Willie Clarke MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. Michelle O'Neill MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. Mid Ulster is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Francie Molloy ( Irish Proinsias Ó Maolmhuaidh) MLA is a Sinn Féin politician and a deputy speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. James Martin Pacelli McGuinness (Máirtín Mag Aonghusa born in Derry on 23 May 1950 is the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. Daithí McKay MLA (b Ballymena, Antrim, 1982 is an Irish republican politician, he is the Environmental Spokesperson for Sinn Féin and is one of the party's 3 North Antrim is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Patrick "Pat" Doherty ( Irish: Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh, (born 18 July 1945) is an Irish Republican politician and Abstentionist West Tyrone is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Barry McElduff (born 1966 is an Irish Politician. Born in County Tyrone, McElduff attended the Christian Brothers School in Omagh Claire McGill MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. Alex Maskey (born 8 January 1952 is an Irish politician who was the first member of Sinn Féin to serve as Belfast 's Lord Mayor Belfast South is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Gerard "Gerry" Kelly (Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh born 5 April 1953) is an Irish republican Politician and former Provisional Belfast North is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA is an Irish republican politician in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Belfast West is a constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sue Ramsey MLA (born 1970 is an Irish Republican Politician. After growing up in Belfast, Ramsey studied Catering. Paul Maskey MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. Jennifer McCann MLA is an Irish republican politician in Northern Ireland, who was elected in 2007 to the Northern Ireland Assembly as a Sinn Fra McCann is an Irish Politician. McCann became active in the Irish republican movement and during the 1970s was jailed on a number of occasions Gerry McHugh MLA is a nationalist politician in Northern Ireland. He now sits in the Northern Ireland Assembly as an Independent. )
Leaders
- Edward Martyn (1905-1908)
- John Sweetman (1908)
- Arthur Griffith (1908-1917)
- Éamon de Valera (1917-26)
- In 1923, a substantial portion of the membership became Cumann na nGaedheal
- In 1926, de Valera resigned from Sinn Féin and launched Fianna Fáil
- John J. O'Kelly (Sceilg) (1926-1931)
- Brian O'Higgins (1931-1933)
- Fr. Edward Martyn (1859 &ndash 1923 of Tullira Castle Ardrahan, Co John Sweetman (9 August 1844 – 8 September 1936 was an Irish politician who became the President of Sinn Féin for the year 1908 Arthur Griffith (Art Ó Gríobhtha 31 March 1872 &ndash 12 August 1922 was the founder and third leader of Sinn Féin. Éamon de Valera (ˈeɪmən dɛvəˈlɛrə (born Edward George de Valera) (14 October 1882 &ndash 29 August 1975 was one of the dominant political figures in 20th century Cumann na nGaedhael (ˈkʊmən nə ˈŋɰeːɫ "Society of the Gaels" sometimes spelt Cumann na nGaedheal, was an Irish language name given Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the John Joseph O'Kelly (known as Sceilg, an acronym of his name in Seán S Brian O'Higgins (Brian Ó hUigínn 1 July 1882 – 3 March 1963 was an Irish Sinn Féin politician Michael O'Flanagan (1933-1935)
- Cathal Ó Murchadha (1935-1937)
- Margaret Buckley (1937-1950)
- Pádraig Mac Lógáin (1950-1953)
- Tomás Ó Dubhghaill (1953-1954)
- Pádraig Mac Lógáin (1954-1962)
- Tomás Mac Giolla (1962-1970)
- In 1970, split into two parties claiming to be the legitimate Sinn Féin
- Sinn Féin (Gardiner Place), was more commonly referred to as Official Sinn Féin. Fr Michael O'Flanagan (1876 &ndash 7 August 1942 was an Irish Republican and Roman Catholic priest Cathal Ó Murchadha (Charles Murphy 16 February 1880–28 April 1958 was an Irish politician and republican Margaret Buckley (nee Goulding (1879 — 24 July 1962 was an Irish republican and president of Sinn Féin from 1937 to 1950 Paddy J McLogan (Pádraig Mac Lógáin (1897 – July 1964 was President of Sinn Féin from 1950-53 and again from 1954 to 1962 Tomás Ó Dubhghaill (Tom Doyle (1917 – 1962 was President of Sinn Féin from 1953 to 1954 Paddy J McLogan (Pádraig Mac Lógáin (1897 – July 1964 was President of Sinn Féin from 1950-53 and again from 1954 to 1962 Tomás Mac Giolla (born 25 January 1924 is an Irish politician Sinn Féin (Gardiner Place was a name sometimes used by Official Sinn Féin in the Republic of Ireland in the early to mid 1970s Official Sinn Féin (later renamed "Sinn Féin the Workers Party" was a Marxist Irish republican Political party which evolved from the split The party renamed itself Sinn Féin, the Workers Party (1982), before settling on the Workers Party (1982). The Workers Party of Ireland (in Irish Páirtí na nOibrithe, though its logo translates it erroneously as Páirtí na nOibri) is a left wing Irish
- Sinn Féin (Kevin Street), was also referred to as Provisional Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin () is a political party in Ireland. The current party led by Gerry Adams was formed following a split in January 1970 This wing is now generally known as Sinn Féin.
- Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (1970-1983)
- In 1986, Ó Brádaigh left and set up Republican Sinn Féin. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (born 2 October 1932 is an Irish republican. Republican Sinn Féin ( RSF; Irish: Sinn Féin Poblachtach) is a Political party operating in Ireland.
- Gerry Adams (1983-present)
Parties with origins in 1916-21 Sinn Féin
- Fianna Fáil
- Fine Gael - came about through merger of Cumann na nGaedhael with the National Centre Party and the Army Comrades Association, to Form Fine Gael in 1933. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach shortened to Fianna Fáil ( is currently the largest Political party in the Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, shortened to Fine Gael (ˌfina gail meaning Family of the Irish or Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest Cumann na nGaedhael (ˈkʊmən nə ˈŋɰeːɫ "Society of the Gaels" sometimes spelt Cumann na nGaedheal, was an Irish language name given The National Centre Party, initially know as the National Farmers and Ratepayers League was a short-lived political party in the Irish Free State. The Army Comrades Association (ACA later named National Guard and better known by their nickname The Blueshirts (Na Léinte Gorma were an
- Sinn Féin
- Republican Sinn Féin
- Workers' Party
-
- Democratic Left (Split from the Workers' Party in 1992; merged into the Labour Party in 1999)
See also
- List of Sinn Féin MPs (for members elected to the British House of Commons)
- Friends of Sinn Féin (an organisation designed to support Sinn Féin's cause with members in the United States, Canada and Australia. Republican Sinn Féin ( RSF; Irish: Sinn Féin Poblachtach) is a Political party operating in Ireland. The Workers Party of Ireland (in Irish Páirtí na nOibrithe, though its logo translates it erroneously as Páirtí na nOibri) is a left wing Irish Democratic Left was a Socialist Political party active primarily in the Republic of Ireland, but also in Northern Ireland between 1992 and 1999 The Labour Party (Páirtí an Lucht Oibre is a Democratic socialist and Social democratic Political party in the Republic of Ireland. This is a list of Sinn Féin MPs. It includes all Members of Parliament elected to the British House of Commons representing Sinn Féin. The Friends of Sinn Féin or Cairde Sinn Féin is the name for three different Irish Republican organisations located in Canada, the United States )
Notes and references
- ^ Irish republicans, including Sinn Féin, often use the term "Six Counties" to refer to Northern Ireland. Their website simply states that their Belfast Office is in "Ireland". See Northern Ireland naming dispute. There are a number of alternative names used for the region of the island of Ireland officially called Northern Ireland.
- ^ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). in (advisory ed. Tomás de Bhaldraithe): Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla (in Irish). Dublin: An Gúm, pp. 533, 1095. ISBN 1-85791-037-0.
- ^ , What Sinn Féin Stands For, Aodh de Blácam, Dublin, Mellifont Press, 1921
- ^ Sinn Féin: A Century of Struggle, Mícheál MacDonncha, Dublin, 2005, ISBN 0 9542946 2 9 pg. 13
- ^ Sinn Féin: A Century of Struggle, Mícheál MacDonncha, Dublin, 2005, ISBN 0 9542946 2 9 pg. 13
- ^ Alvin Jackson, Home Rule: An Irish History 1800—2000 (Phoenix, 2004) p. 115.
- ^ Michael Laffan, The Resurrection of Ireland: The Sinn Féin Party 1916—1923 (Cambridge, 1999) p. 30.
- ^ The Irish Election of 1918. Retrieved on 2006-04-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated
- ^ David Trimble – Nobel Lecture. Nobel Foundation (10 December 1998). Retrieved on 2006-06-13. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for
- ^ Ian Paisley in European Elections regularly attracted votes from the entirely Catholic Rathlin Island, while research showed Catholic support for then-UUP leader, David Trimble. Ian Richard Kyle Paisley (born 6 April 1926 styled The Rt Hon Rathlin Island ( Irish and Scottish Gaelic: Reachlainn, also Reachra in Scottish Gaelic is an Island off the Coast of William David Trimble Baron Trimble (born 15 October 1944 is a Northern Irish Politician from Northern Ireland who served as leader of the Ulster In the 1990s, the UUP had a Catholic candidate, Sir John Gorman, elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Northern Ireland Assembly ( Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann Semmlie) is the devolved
- ^ The Hunger Strike of 1981 - A Chronology of Main Events. CAIN (23 March 2006). Retrieved on 2006-06-14. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the
- ^ The 3 were S. Cassidy, JJ. McCusker and W. McCartney
- ^ quoted in Gordon Lucy, The Northern Ireland Local Government Elections of 1993, Ulster Society Press
- ^ Angelique Chrisafis (25 November 2004). Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Paisley hints at movement on IRA. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Resignation call rejected. BBC (19 January 2005). Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Katie Mingey (24 January 2005). Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fallout from bank raid. Irish Emigrant. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Fourth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission. Independent Monitoring Commission (10 February 2005). Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Conor Murphy (27 February 2006). Events 1560 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. IMC should be scrapped. Sinn Féin. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Sinn Féin facing raid sanctions. BBC (22 February 2005). Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Adams challenges Ahern to have him arrested. RTÉ News (10 February 2005). Retrieved on 2006-04-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated
- ^ Tom Brady & Senan Molony (21 February 2005). Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. McDowell: These men are leaders of the IRA. Irish Independent. The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest selling daily newspaper Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Peter Taggart (21 February 2005). Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dublin: Sinn Féin chiefs in IRA. CNN. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Give up killers, people's protest tells IRA. The Times (28 February 2005). Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Angelique Chrisafis (28 February 2005). Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. How pub brawl turned into republican crisis. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ Angelique Chrisafis (26 February 2005). Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. IRA expels three over McCartney murder. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ MEPs back McCartney justice fight. BBC (10 May 2005). Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ IRA expels three after killing. BBC (26 February 2005). Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ Two remanded in McCartney killing. BBC (4 June 2005). Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ Sinn Féin must prove it supports the rule of law. Belfast Telegraph (9 January 2007). Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Garry Kelly (14 March 2005). Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Senator Kennedy snubs Adams as US recoils at IRA crime. The Independent. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ SF stripped of Commons allowances. BreakingNews. ie (10 March 2005). Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Sinn Féin chief says IRA may cease to exist. MSNBC (March 12, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-04-27. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated
- ^ Sinn Féin man admits he was agent. BBC (16 December 2005). Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ Donaldson murder scene examined. BBC (6 April 2006). Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King
- ^ Sinn Féin rejects 'shadow' Assembly. RTÉ (2 September 2006). Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Sinn Féin ends policing boycott. BreakingNews. ie (28 January 2007). Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Sinn Féin 'must show visible support for policing'. BreakingNews. ie (28 January 2007). Events 1077 - Walk to Canossa: The Excommunication of Henry IV Holy Roman Emperor is lifted Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Former IRA prisoner to stand against SF. BreakingNews. ie (29 January 2007). Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 2007-03-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
- ^ Taylor, Peter (1997). Peter Taylor born Scarborough, North Yorkshire is a British Journalist and documentary -maker who had covered for many years the political Provos The IRA & Sinn Féin. Bloomsbury Publishing, pp. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is an independent London -based publishing house known for literary Novels It was named Publisher of the Year in 1999 and 281-282. ISBN 0-7475-3818-2.
- ^ Press Briefing: 3.45 pm Monday 21 February 2005 10 Downing Street website.
- ^ Sinn Féin website, International Department
- ^ Sinn Féin on the Assembly debate on Abortion. Sinn Féin (22 October 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-14. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca
- ^ Irish Times 26 May 2008
Further reading
- Gerry Adams, Before The Dawn (Brandon Book, 1996)
- Tim Pat Coogan, The Troubles (Arrow, 1995, 1996) ISBN 009946571X
- Tim Pat Coogan, Michael Collins (Hutchinson, 1990) ISBN 0091741068
- Brian Feeney, Sinn Féin: A Hundred Turbulent Years (2003) HB: ISBN 0299186709 PB ISBN 0299186741
- Roy Foster, Ireland 1660-1972
- Geraldine Kennedy (ed. Gerry Adams, MLA, MP (Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh born 6 October 1948 is an Irish Republican politician and abstentionist Westminster Timothy Patrick Coogan (born 1935 is an Irish Historian, broadcaster and newspaper columnist Robert Fitzroy Foster (born January 16, 1949) - generally known as Roy Foster - is the Carroll Professor of Irish History at Hertford Geraldine Kennedy (born 1951 is an Irish journalist and former politician ) Nealon's Guide to the 29th Dáil and Seanad (Gill and Macmillan, 2002) ISBN 0717132889
- F.S.L. Lyons, Ireland Since the Famine
- Brian Maye, Arthur Griffith (Griffith College Publications)
- Dorothy Macardle, The Irish Republic (Corgi edition, 1968) ISBN 55207862X
- Sean O'Callaghan, The Informer (Corgi 1999) ISBN 0-552-14607-2
- Patrick Sarsfield, S. Francis Stewart Leland Lyons (1923&ndash1983 was one of Ireland 's premier Historians He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland and was educated Dorothy Macardle ( 1889 - 23 December 1958) was an Irish author and historian Sean O'Callaghan is a former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA who became an Informer for the Garda Síochána O'Hegarty & Tom Garvin, The Victory of Sinn Féin: How It Won It & how It Used It (1999) ISBN 1900621177
- Peter Taylor, Behind the Mask: The IRA & Sinn Féin ISBN 1575000776
- Robert Kee, The Green Flag: A History of Irish Nationalism (Penguin, 1972–2000), ISBN 0140291652
- Robert W. Peter Taylor born Scarborough, North Yorkshire is a British Journalist and documentary -maker who had covered for many years the political Robert Kee CBE (born October 5, 1919 in Calcutta, India) is a British broadcaster journalist and writer known for his historical White, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary (Indiana University Press, 2006, ISBN 0253347084
Sinn fein's previous logos
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External links
Sinn Féin
- Sinn Féin
- Sinn Féin's "Ireland of Equals" website
- Sinn Féin delegation to the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament in Brussels website
- Friends/Cairde Sinn Féin
- An Phoblacht
Other links
- Behind The Mask: The IRA & Sinn Féin Companion website to the Frontline documentary about Sinn Féin, which aired on PBS.
- "Populist Nationalists: Sinn Féin and Redifining the 'Radical Right'"PDF (112 KiB)
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