Spanish Civil War Veteran to Speak at Connolly Festival (1 Viewer)

[jackwhite]

Bob Doyle who fought for democracy and against Facism during the Spanish Civil War will be speaking at this years Connolly Festival. The festival takes place from Friday March 23rd to Saturday March 24th in the ATGWU Hall in Middle Abbey Street.

The full timetable is as follows:

Friday March 23rd
5.30pm End the US Blockade of Cuba

Cuban Ambassador Noel Carrillo

7pm Spanish Civil War Veteran Speaks
Bob Doyle last surviving Irish veteran who fought on the republican side in the Spanish Civil War.

Saturday March 24th
10 am Campaigning for Travellers Rights

Cllr. Declan Bree

11.30 Justice for Terrence Wheelock

Featuring Terrence's brother Larry Wheelock. Terrence died as a result of injuries received in Garda Custody

2 pm National Anti-War Demonstration

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis Assemble 2pm Lidl Car Park CityWest

8 pm Connolly Social

Outhouse 105 Capel Street - 5 euro admission all proceeds to Labour LGBT

More info see:
http://www.labour.ie/youth/events/index/11720811462257576.html

 

[jackwhite]

Just a reminder that this is taking place tonight at 7pm in the ATGWU Hall in Middle Abbey Street - everyone is welcome

 

[Buckrake]

Just a reminder that this is taking place tonight at 7pm in the ATGWU Hall in Middle Abbey Street - everyone is welcome

Thanks for the tip-off Jack, I read Bob's book last summer, went along tonight, would've missed it only for you

 

[Scientician 0.8]

Ah shite I knew there was somewhere I should have been!

Oh well here's one for the lads.

The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed to every fold

Chorus:
Then raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its folds we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here

It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night
It witnessed many a deed and vow
We must not change its colour now

Chorus

It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of human right and human gain

Chorus

It suits today the meek and base
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place
To cringe beneath the rich man's frown
And haul that sacred emblem down

Chorus

With heads uncovered swear we all
To bare it onward till we fall
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our parting hymn

 

[Antrophe]

Have managed to miss him speaking every time he's been doing a talk, whats the content of his speech like and what sort of things was he up t oin Spain?

 

[Buckrake]

Have managed to miss him speaking every time he's been doing a talk, whats the content of his speech like and what sort of things was he up t oin Spain?

Sorry for delay in reply.

Bob Doyle is 90 now, so his speech was quite short. He basically asks the question if his comrades who died in the Spanish Civil War did so in vain and applies it to the war itself, the defeat of fascism in World War II and current injustices and challenges (starvation and poverty in Africa and elsewhere, the Iraq war, the environment, globalisation etc.)

Manus O Riordan, the son of Michael O Riordan, (who died last year leaving Bob the last Irish veteran of the Republican side) spoke too, as did Harry Owens, who helped Bob write his autobiography.

As for the sort of things he got up to in Spain - he fought as part of the International Brigade, was captured by Italian troops, spent six months in a concentration camp before being freed in a prisoner exchange. He was in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, and returned often to Spain as part of the anti-Franco resistance for many years.