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No British Royal Beacon on Cave Hill

01/05/12

“So, I am firmly convinced, the doctrine of republicanism will finally subvert that of monarchy, and establish a system of just and rational liberty on the ruins of the thrones of the despots of Europe.” – Theobald Wolfe Tone

In the summer of 1795, half a dozen members of the United Irishmen gathered on Belfast’s Cave Hill to affirm their dedication to the subversion of British rule and to the independence of Ireland. 217 years later, upwards of sixty Irish republicans gathered at the same spot to launch a campaign against an attempt by Belfast City Council to use it for pro-monarchist propaganda.

Belfast City Council, with the unanimous support of the establishment parties, has allocated over £100,000 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ascension of Elizabeth Windsor to the British throne. Officials at Buckingham Palace have decreed that the signature event of these celebrations be the lighting of ‘Diamond Jubilee beacons’ across the Six Counties, Britain and the entire British Commonwealth on June 4. Belfast’s councillors have duly abided, and Cave Hill has been proposed as the site for this salute to hereditary privilege.

On Sunday [April 29], over sixty republicans gathered at the peak of Cave Hill to launch a campaign of opposition to this insult to the political heritage of republicanism in Ireland. A short event was held where the crowd was addressed on the history and development of republicanism in an Irish and European context, and nationalist politicians were criticised for supporting the use of ratepayers’ money for a party for the commander-in-chief of Britain’s armed forces.

As the event concluded and people began making their way home, several PSNI landrovers pounced on a small group in the car park of Cave Hill Country Park and proceeded to search them and to rummage through their vehicles too. One person was arrested for refusing to remove his shoes, but was subsequently released.

Speaking about the day’s events, local éirígí representative Pádraic Mac Coitir said, “In their day the United Irishmen made an oath to break the connection with England; republicans today maintain that oath, and it won’t be diminished by the petty harassment techniques of British crown forces.

“Over sixty people – men and women, young and old – came together today in dignified opposition to the planned insult to this landmark in the history of Belfast and the history of Irish republicanism.”

Mac Coitir continued, “The cause for which the United Irishmen lived and died – for liberty, equality and fraternity, and against monarchy, landlordism and aristocracy in general – remain as relevant today as ever. The City Council wants to demean our ideology with its craven celebration of wealth, privilege and elitism. Come June 4th however, the seoiníns behind this event will find that radical Irish republicanism is not as demoralised as they hope it is.”