Republic. James Connolly is a socialist. He and his followers are interested in creating a socialist state.’
‘Cannot Ireland be both?’
Willie nods. ‘Possibly. But neither group can achieve what it wants unless Ireland is free. Britain will neverwillingly allow Ireland to become an independent republic because that would set a bad example. Other conquered colonial possessions might demand their freedom too.
‘The Empire is built on capitalism, so Britain will not allow Ireland to go socialist, either. Socialism means giving working men equal rights with industrialists and that’s against everything the Empire stands for.’
‘Do you think we can ever win our freedom, Willie?’
‘The Americans did,’ he points out.
‘Will they help us?’ To show him that I know quite a lot already, I ask, ‘Is the Irish Republican Brotherhood an American organisation?’
Willie looks startled. ‘How do you know about the IRB?’
‘I once overheard you and the Ardmháistir talking about it. You were in his office and the door was open.’
‘You never should have heard that!’
‘I’ve never mentioned it to anyone else and I never will,’ I assure him. ‘But just what is the IRB, Willie?’
‘You know about the Fenian Brotherhood which was founded in New York in 1848, and to which O’Donovan Rossa belonged. Well, the Irish Republican Brotherhood was founded in Dublin ten years later. Together they form an underground movement whose sole purpose is, and always has been, to set Irelandfree. The IRB is secretly funding the Volunteers, using money raised in America. We’re hoping for aid from the Germans, too, in the form of weapons.’
It is my turn to be startled. ‘I thought we were at war with Germany!’
‘Ireland has never been at war with Germany, John Joe. The Germans have done us no harm. Britain, which has been our enemy and oppressor for centuries , is at war with Germany – and the enemy of our enemy is our friend.’
Imagine that! Nations far across the sea reaching out their hands to help Ireland! On the world map we are so small, yet we have powerful friends.
At least I hope we do. As I recall from my Irish history studies, we thought the French were our friends and would help us, but in 1798 they let Wolfe Tone down badly.
Can we trust anyone but ourselves?
There is a small nationalist political party here which calls itself Sinn Féin: Ourselves Alone. Sinn Féin was founded by a man called Arthur Griffith.
The Irish Parliamentary Party is much larger. They seem content to work within the system we have. Their leader, John Redmond, has urged the Irish Volunteers to enlist in the British Army. He promises that Britain will reward them by giving us Home Rulewhen the war is over.
Eoin MacNeill, who is President and Chief-of-Staff of the Volunteers, disagrees. He says Home Rule is a cheque the British will continually post-date. Professor MacNeill teaches early Irish history at University College Dublin and is a very intelligent man.
Besides, even if we did get Home Rule we still would not be independent of Britain. I think independence is terribly important. It’s like growing up; being in charge of your own life.
Before I came to St Enda’s I knew nothing about politics. Now I see that politics is like a giant, invisible spider web all around us. According to the Ardmháistir politics affects every part of our lives – how we live, what we earn, even what our old age will be like. When I was a child I never thought about such things.
But I’m about to be a man.
If I try to talk about politics with Roger, he gets that stubborn look he gets sometimes. ‘Nothing to do with me,’ he says.
I guess Roger’s not ready to be a man yet.
There are lots of secrets now: secret meetings, secret plans, secret military manoeuvres late at night. St Enda’s is right at the heart of everything – at least the Ardmháistir is. Professor MacNeill may be Chief-of-Staff, but MrPearse has a lot
‘Cannot Ireland be both?’
Willie nods. ‘Possibly. But neither group can achieve what it wants unless Ireland is free. Britain will neverwillingly allow Ireland to become an independent republic because that would set a bad example. Other conquered colonial possessions might demand their freedom too.
‘The Empire is built on capitalism, so Britain will not allow Ireland to go socialist, either. Socialism means giving working men equal rights with industrialists and that’s against everything the Empire stands for.’
‘Do you think we can ever win our freedom, Willie?’
‘The Americans did,’ he points out.
‘Will they help us?’ To show him that I know quite a lot already, I ask, ‘Is the Irish Republican Brotherhood an American organisation?’
Willie looks startled. ‘How do you know about the IRB?’
‘I once overheard you and the Ardmháistir talking about it. You were in his office and the door was open.’
‘You never should have heard that!’
‘I’ve never mentioned it to anyone else and I never will,’ I assure him. ‘But just what is the IRB, Willie?’
‘You know about the Fenian Brotherhood which was founded in New York in 1848, and to which O’Donovan Rossa belonged. Well, the Irish Republican Brotherhood was founded in Dublin ten years later. Together they form an underground movement whose sole purpose is, and always has been, to set Irelandfree. The IRB is secretly funding the Volunteers, using money raised in America. We’re hoping for aid from the Germans, too, in the form of weapons.’
It is my turn to be startled. ‘I thought we were at war with Germany!’
‘Ireland has never been at war with Germany, John Joe. The Germans have done us no harm. Britain, which has been our enemy and oppressor for centuries , is at war with Germany – and the enemy of our enemy is our friend.’
Imagine that! Nations far across the sea reaching out their hands to help Ireland! On the world map we are so small, yet we have powerful friends.
At least I hope we do. As I recall from my Irish history studies, we thought the French were our friends and would help us, but in 1798 they let Wolfe Tone down badly.
Can we trust anyone but ourselves?
There is a small nationalist political party here which calls itself Sinn Féin: Ourselves Alone. Sinn Féin was founded by a man called Arthur Griffith.
The Irish Parliamentary Party is much larger. They seem content to work within the system we have. Their leader, John Redmond, has urged the Irish Volunteers to enlist in the British Army. He promises that Britain will reward them by giving us Home Rulewhen the war is over.
Eoin MacNeill, who is President and Chief-of-Staff of the Volunteers, disagrees. He says Home Rule is a cheque the British will continually post-date. Professor MacNeill teaches early Irish history at University College Dublin and is a very intelligent man.
Besides, even if we did get Home Rule we still would not be independent of Britain. I think independence is terribly important. It’s like growing up; being in charge of your own life.
Before I came to St Enda’s I knew nothing about politics. Now I see that politics is like a giant, invisible spider web all around us. According to the Ardmháistir politics affects every part of our lives – how we live, what we earn, even what our old age will be like. When I was a child I never thought about such things.
But I’m about to be a man.
If I try to talk about politics with Roger, he gets that stubborn look he gets sometimes. ‘Nothing to do with me,’ he says.
I guess Roger’s not ready to be a man yet.
There are lots of secrets now: secret meetings, secret plans, secret military manoeuvres late at night. St Enda’s is right at the heart of everything – at least the Ardmháistir is. Professor MacNeill may be Chief-of-Staff, but MrPearse has a lot
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