Slógadh Shinn Féin 2003
A very successful and enjoyable Slógadh Shinn Féin took place last weekend in South Armagh. Visitors arrived from every part of Ireland and received warm hospitality from people living locally and in the neighbouring counties of Down, Louth and Monaghan.
On Friday evening, a debate on policing allowed everyone to voice their opinions and direct questions to speakers representing Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and representatives of the daily Irish Language newspaper, Lá. A young girl from the interface area of Short Strand in Belfast outlined her experience of life in a nationalist community constantly under siege and how people cope with the daily threat of loyalist attacks.
On Saturday morning, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP took part in the "Poc Fada" at Dromintee GFC football grounds. Despite having pucked the sliotar much further than most of his rivals Gerry was ruled out of order and accused of having overstepped the line by Malachy, acting as Fear an Tí on the day. Despite his protestations and appeals to republicans that we must break out of traditional boundaries and refuse to recognise borders and lines drawn in the sand, Malachy insisted on an inquiry. A concerted effort by Newry/Armagh Assembly candidates Conor Murphy and Davy Hyland proved conclusively that Armagh County should stick to what they do best ie. Playing football. Needless to say, neither Gerry nor themselves succeeded in coming anywhere near the winners on the day.
On arrival at Sliabh Gullion Courtyard, Gerry Adams was welcomed to the area by Newry/Armagh Assembly candidates Conor Murphy, Davy Hyland and Pat O'Rawe. Dúirt Conor Murphy:
"Thar cheann Gluaiseacht na Poblachta i limistéar an Iúir agus Ard Mhacha, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh baill an phairtí agus gaeilgeoirí eile chuig Slógadh 2003. Ar ndóigh, cuirim fearadh na fáilte roimh Uachtaráin Shinn Féin Gerry Adams.
"Cuis bhroid agus áthas dúinn go bhfuil slógadh Shinn Féin a reachtail anseo i gceantair na héigse. Tá an gaeilge a labhairt go fóill sa cheantair agus tá fás agus forbairt i ndán di. Ta súil agam go mbainfidh gach teachta agus cuairteoir sult agus tairbhe as na himeachtaí atá pleanáilte don deireadh seachtaine. Guím gach rath ar thionol na nGael."
That Saturday afternoon, visitors to the Slógadh were taken on a tour of South Armagh and on a visit to Creggan Churchyard. Having arrived back at the Courtyard, the more energetic visitors ventured to walk Sliabh Gullion, led by former Minister for Health Bairbre de Brún and Aengus Ó Snódaigh TD.
On Saturday evening we had an in-depth discussion entitled
"Éire sa bhliain 2006 - gan Teorann gan Teanga".
Speakers at the debate included Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Máire Ní Anracháin, Eamonn Ó Gribín and Gearóid Ó hEadhra. This was followed by the surprise of the evening - the Gradam na Poblachta award. In fact no one was more surprised than the recipient herself, Maria Carraher. In a speech worthy of any Oscar performance, Maria, through her tears, thanked everyone she could think of and told us how she was both proud and humbled to have been chosen. However, to be serious for a moment, there is no-one more deserving of this award than Maria. She and her family have for many years been to the fore in the republican struggle in South Armagh and have promoted the Irish language and culture at every opportunity. The evening was rounded off with a fine display of dancing by members of the O'Donovan Rossa Cultural Society, followed by the Céilidhe.
Sunday morning and still full of energy, an slua mór gathered at the British Army hilltop post at Cloughogue to register our protest that these military installations must be removed at once and the soldiers occupying this island sent home to England. We moved on then to gather in Camloch at the graveside of Raymond McCreesh, who died on hunger strike in 1981 in Long Kesh. Following an oration by local councillor Breandán O Laois, a very poignant lament was played over the grave as British Army helicopters flew overhead, oblivious and uncaring about the harassment caused to everyday life in South Armagh.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
