Funds of Sinn Féin, sorry, Friends of Sinn Féin recently alerted American subscribers to its mailing list about a 1916- themed trip to the Auld Sod.
“Exploring Vacations has created a series of bespoke Ireland 1916 Commemorations Tour packages with exclusive access into Republican sites and official Commemorations Programmes. Designed to give the traveller a unique insight and an unforgettable experience of being in Ireland on the 100th anniversary of the Historic 1916 Rising.”
It’s action-packed. “From Republican strongholds in Belfast, to re-enacting the Easter Rising and Rebel Tours of Dublin, these bespoke tours also combine the must see sites of Ireland: The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry and include great social activities such as the Bunratty Castle Banquet.”
Packages include an 11-night trip built around the centenary of the Rising on Easter Sunday 2016. After overnighting in Dublin, the tour buses head across the Border to Belfast.
“There you’ll dive into the complicated and turbulent history of this now vibrant city, beginning with a tour of the Falls Road, the heart of the Republican community . . .
“From there, you’ll head to your evening meal and accommodation in the Europa Hotel, which was bombed and refurbished a staggering 28 times during the Troubles.”
Then it’s back to Dublin and a dizzy round of commemorative events, parades and “craic”.
Interestingly, on the day of the official State ceremonies, the groups spend “the morning at leisure for the O’Connell Street parade” before going to “another planned commemorative event”. But not planned by the Government.
On Easter Monday they’re off to “1916 military mastermind Seán Mac Diarmada’s homestead” in Leitrim followed by a visit to the grave of WB Yeats. Finally, it’s back to Dublin on April 1st and a tour of Kilmainham Gaol.
An hour after Funds of Sinn Féin sent out their alert, they issued an important clarification. “Sinn Féin is not responsible for organizing and selling the Tour Packages.”
Glad they clarified that, what with all the American money flooding into party coffers, and the funding from Dublin and London, and all the TDs and Senators drawing their full whack of salaries and expenses from the State and ploughing a portion of it back into the party.
Otherwise, they might have to change their slogan to Tiochaidh ar lolly.
Victory for Leinster (House) lions as they defeat auld enemy On the day that Ireland took on the auld enemy at the Aviva Stadium, a second international – less high-profile but equally hard fought – unfolded down the road at Trinity College Dublin.
The Houses of the Oireachtas were up against the UK’s Houses of Parliament and our boys thrashed their Westminster neighbours for the 14th year running. The final score was 27-7.
Fine Gael backbencher and lineout merchant John Paul Phelan captained the Leinster House squad, which mainly comprised parliamentary assistants and party staff.
Leo Varadkar hot-footed it from a ministerial engagement in time for the second half, while Michael Ring, his former compadre in the Department of Sport, was represented by private secretary Darren Clarke.
Fianna Fáil fielded flying Kerry winger Senator Mark Daly, while Aengus Ó Snodaigh flew the flag for Sinn Féin. According to reports, uncompromising prop Ó Snodaigh played an absolute stormer.
Health scare sparks high drama in the Upper House High drama in the Seanad at lunchtime on Thursday.
The Cathaoirleach of the Upper House – Enda’s pal Paddy Burke – suddenly felt very unwell. This had nothing to do with the fact that Fianna Fáil’s Terry Leyden was fulminating loudly and at length at the time, enough to give anyone a bad turn.
Wexford TD and doctor Liam Twomey was summoned to examine the Cathaoirleach, who was white as a sheet. He was also attended by Senator John Crown.
The popular Castlebar- based politician wouldn’t let them call an ambulance so Twomey drove him to A&E in St Vincent’s hospital, where Burke waited for hours before he was given the all-clear.
He has to go back for tests, with the finger of suspicion pointing to an ulcer.
At least Paddy will be fit for his visit to Vietnam at the end of the month.
This trip is not to be confused with the other one to Vietnam. John McGuinness (FF), Derek Nolan (Lab) and Paul Connaughton (FG) from the Public Accounts Committee fly out today for a six-day visit to view Irish Aid projects.
The second group will spend four days in Hanoi at the 132th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, where representatives of 122 parliaments from around the world will gather to discuss the day job.
Burke will be joined on the trip by Fine Gael's Michelle Mulherin and Noel Harrington, Labour's John Lyons and Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen. The PAC group were slightly miffed to hear the IPU people are travelling business class. But only on the outward leg – it's economy for them all on the way back. Senator finally gets 'evicted' What were those members of the New Land League doing up on Killiney Hill this week when they were needed in Leinster House?
It’s all very fine assuming imaginary powers of authority and getting very puffed up at the gates of a posh mansion on the Dublin Riviera, but not when a crisis eviction is unfolding in the nation’s seat of power.
Where was Jerry Beades? Where was Vincent Browne? Why wasn’t he forcing his way through the revolving doors in Kildare Street?
Maverick former Labour Senator James Heffernan could have done with them. He lost the party whip in December 2012 when he voted against the Finance Bill but refused to leave the office he shared with colleague John Gilroy.
Heffernan is now an Independent and sightings of him around Leinster House are rare. But he is still squatting in his old office.
Things move slowly in Leinster House and rules had to be followed before the Senator could be relocated. Finally, after he had sourced an alternative billet, authorities received an instruction to begin the removal.
The Superintendent of the House informed Heffernan, who, with a most unparliamentary use of language, told him where to go.
But at some point , the deed was done. Heffernan’s belongings were relocated and the locks changed. He was said to be fuming.
In an unprecedented situation for the Oireachtas, Senator Gilroy has his own key and locks his door every time he leaves his office.
