Key figures in Irish politics heading to Belfast for Political Education Winter School
Anti-war Independent MEP Clare Daly among ‘some of the most important activists, academics and politicians in Ireland’ speaking at the school
The Ó Cadhain Winter School is back on 25-27th January with a program full of debates focused on the constitutional future of the country and the main issues we face today. This year, focus is given to Gaza and the Palestinian people while the Israeli genocide continues, as reflected in the program. Among the prominent speakers will be Clare Daly MEP, Guantánamo Veteran Mansoor Adayfi, Bríd Smith TD, Chris Hazzard MP and many more.
Eoghan Ó Garmaile, representative of the school’s committee, said:
“The conversation about a United Ireland is gaining momentum continuously. A broad section of the community is now participating in the discussion throughout society regarding the constitutional future of the country, and constant pressure is needed to ensure that the desires and aspirations of working-class communities are central to that broader conversation. The school’s analysis focuses on class and empowering the community to engage critically and actively in addressing these significant issues.
“Therefore, it is fitting for the main discussion on Saturday 27th January, to be named ‘A New Ireland: For What Class?’ with guest speakers Clare Daly (Independent MEP), Bríd Smith (TD for People Before Profit), and Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin MP). Clare Daly has been recognised around the world recently for her courage in the European Parliament, steadfastly standing up for Palestine as well as delivering speeches in Irish in the Parliament.
“We are delighted that we were able to attract some of the most radical activists, academics, and politicians in Ireland to the school this year, covering themes such as the future of the Irish language, housing rights, the environmental crisis, and many more. Bígí linn.”
Independent MEP Clare Daly said:
“I am delighted to be speaking on the Falls Road as part of the Ó Cadhain Winter School 2024. We must look at the kind of United Ireland that will exist for the working class in the context of the European Union, which is barreling down the road to ever greater militarism and alignment with NATO which is entrenched in warfare around the world. The ordinary people will not benefit from this. We must envision a more progressive, peaceful future for our community.
“In addition, it is an honor for me to join the keynote discussion with Mansoor Adayfi, a man from Yemen who was imprisoned and tortured in the USA’s Guantánamo Bay prison for 14 years and is now campaigning to close Guantánamo once and for all. I look forward to participating in this important school where we will have the opportunity to promote such a progressive vision.”
Mansoor Adayfi, guest speaker at the school, stated:
“I am very happy to go to West Belfast as part of this event. While on many hunger strikes with my comrades in Guantánamo Bay during the 14 years I was imprisoned there without charge, we were always very conscious of the fact that such a tactic was often used in Irish history to achieve freedom. I am very much looking forward to meeting the grassroots activists at the Ó Cadhain School.”
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Information about the Ó Cadhain School
Named after the radical Irish language and socialist republican, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, the Ó Cadhain Winter School is taking place for the second time. Our goal is to provide a democratic and inclusive platform for activists from various fields of public campaigns for a New Ireland based on the guiding principles of ‘Liberty, Equality, and Solidarity.’ Last year, Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis was the guest speaker at the first Ó Cadhain School.
This year, the School will be launched in the Lon Dubh Café (Raidió Fáilte) on Thursday, 25th January at 7pm with guest speaker from Palestine, Khalid El-Astal, and the film ‘Palestine is Still the Issue’ by the late John Pilger.
On Friday, there will be a panel discussing the important campaign ‘A New Script for Mental Health’ in Cultúrlann at 12.30pm with lunch.
There will be a full day of discussions Saturday beginning with lunch at 12pm, and Mansoor Adayfi, a Guantanamo Bay veteran, will be in conversation with Clare Daly at 7:30pm. Afterward, there will be a music night for Palestine with some of the best traditional musicians in the country.
The full program can be found here
For more information, contact:
Eoghan Ó Garmaile
07934846275
