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éirígí’s successful Third Ard Fhéis

18/05/09

éirígí’s third annual Ard Fhéis took place in Dublin’s West County Hotel over the past weekend, May 16-17.

éirígí activists from across Ireland gathered from early on Saturday morning to debate and decide party policy and strategy. As in previous year’s éirígí’s annual James Connolly commemoration was integrated into the Ard Fhéis weekend.

In total more than 130 party members and guests attended the workshops, debates and presentations that took place over the two-day event.

Saturday morning started with what was arguably the most important element of An Ard Fhéis 2009 – the adoption of a new policy paper outlining éirígí’s ideological approach to the issue of elections and elected institutions. In adopting ‘Elections, Elected Institutions and Ireland’s Revolutionary Struggle’ the éirígí membership reached a collective view of the nature of liberal democracy, the role of elections and elected institutions in the capitalist system and what will be required for a genuine democracy to come into existence in Ireland.

Following on from the adoption of the elections paper other motions adopted by An Ard Fhéis reaffirmed éirígí’s commitment to a 32-County Democratic Socialist Republic; condemned the ongoing British occupation of Ireland; sent solidarity greetings to other revolutionary struggles and highlighted the central role that capitalism played in creating the current global recession.

Before the break for lunch An Ard Fhéis also elected those listed below to An Ciorcal Náisiúnta for the coming year:

An Cathaoirleach (Chair) Brian Leeson
Leas-Chathaoirleach (Vice-Chair) Rab Jackson
An Rúnaí Ginearálta (General Secretary) Breandán Mac Cionnaith
Cisteoirí (Treasurers) Joanne McDonald and Ciaran Heaphey
An tOifigeach Caidrimh Phoiblí (Public Relation Officer) Seán Mac Brádaigh
An tOifigeach Ballraíochta (Membership Officer) Daithí Mac An Mhaistír

In a break with previous years, a number of external guest speakers joined An Ard Fhéis for the Saturday afternoon session. These included Maura Harrington of the Shell to Sea campaign and independent councillor Bernice Swift from the Fírinne victims of British state-violence group.

Brian Leeson then delivered the Chair’s address prior to the showing of a video chronicling éirígí’s campaigning activities over the last twelve months.

Despite the rain and strong winds, in excess of 100 people attended the annual James Connolly commemoration which began at 3.30pm in Arbour Hill Cemetery. This year’s speaker was newly elected Ard Rúnaí éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith.

In another new addition to An Ard Fhéis three separate workshops were held on Sunday morning. While the first of these, focused on éirígí policy development, was restricted to party members the following two were facilitated by guest speakers and open to visitors.

Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh and Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin from the Acht campaign were first up, delivering a powerful PowerPoint presentation relating to the Imperialism, Colonialism and the Irish language.

The third and last workshop of the day was focused on the issue of organised labour in revolutionary struggle with guest speaker Tommy McKearney.

Further detail of An Ard Fhéis 2009 will follow over the coming days including the full text of ‘Elections, Elected Institutions and Ireland’s Revolutionary Struggle’ and the other motions adopted as well as video and detailed reports of all the main elements of what was a highly successful weekend.

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