The NIFC's Program 'Our Irish-American Cultural Heritage’ that links the past, present and future, has been established for the purpose of preserving our Irish-American cultural heritage and the Fenian traditions passed on to us by our exiled Irish forebears.

Our forebears, who came to America to escape poverty, persecution, political and religious oppression, imposed upon their homeland by a foreign usurper, contributed enormously to America’s freedom, culture and prosperity.

They and their descendants fought in America's War of Independence, its Civil War and in every other war or conflict, when or, where America’s freedom or interests have been threatened.

The NIFC will commemorate and honor their contributions and sacrifices and will carry on their tradition of helping their ancestral homeland in its noble struggle for true freedom and independence in a reunited 32-county sovereign Irish Republic.

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Fanny Parnell

FENIAN GRAVES

The Irish Republican Political Activist 

Sustainer Campaign

Cumann Na Saoırse Náısıúnta would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated to past Cabhair Sustainer Programs and to the Annual Cabhair Dinners in Ireland.  We would also like to thank those brave souls who organized The Christmas Liffey Swim for Cabhair, the Delaware Concert, the Annual CnS Dinner, and of course everyone who is involved in writing letters to the incarcerated.  Your generosity of financial donations has always been greatly appreciated but the knowledge that you are aware of the families’ plight and that you are willing to raise your voice on their behalf cannot be underestimated.

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Gaeilge Beo -Spoken Irish returns

Crısten Nıc Bhardló had joined the staff of the Gaeilge Beo -Spoken Irish video project. Cristen, who does not speak any Gaeilge, will be a student on the program. She will demonstrate how each word of the lessons is pronounced as Gaeilge (In Irish).

 Míċeál Ó Coısdealbha, a Connemara native will be the director.

 Cumann Na Saoırse Náısıúnta would like to express to the late Bro. O Cuinn and his staff at Iona College for his permission to use their textbook

Irish For Everyone. 

There is no charge for the use of this program to promote Gaeilge.

  (Click here to view a video of  lessons 1 & 2)

This month in Irish American history

Thomas Francis Meagher

On July 1st, 1867 - Meagher of the Sword was drowned under mysterious circumstances in the night when he was traveling aboard the steamer Thompson, on the Missouri River opposite Fort Benton.

Battle of Gettysburg

On July 1 through  3 - General Robert E. Lee's Army Of Northern Virginia of 75,000 men and the 97,000 man Union Army of The Potomac under General George G. Meade met, by chance, at   Gettysburg. During the three days of battle more men fought and died than in any other battle before or since on North American soil.

The Irish Brigade

On July 2nd, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Colonel Patrick Kelly and the 530 men serving in the Irish Brigade stubbornly fought their Confederate foes in the killing grounds of Rose's Wheatfield.  By sundown, the Irish Brigade counted 198 casualties leaving just over 300 remaining of the original 2,500 men who had enlisted when the war began.

Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, - the Continental Congress   asserted its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain by formally  adopting the Declaration of Independence  in Philadelphia.

Commandant General Tom Maguire

On July 5, 1993 Tom Maguire died of natural caused at the age  of 101.  During the War of Independence he held the rank of Commandant-General in the Western Command of the Irish Republican Army and led the South Mayo flying column.

Joe Mc Donnell

On July 8, 1981 Joe McDonnell of Belfast died on hunger strike at the H-blocks of Long Kesh. On May 9, 1981 he replaced the murdered Bobby Sands on Hunger Strike.

Martin Hurson

On July 13, 1981 Martin Hurson from Belfast died on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. Martin joined the Hunger Strike on May 27, 1981 when Brendan McLaughlin had to give up because of a bleeding ulcer.

The Asgard

On July 26, 1914  - the  Asgard arrived from Germany at Howth with rifles and ammunition for the Irish Volunteers.  The 44-foot yacht, was under the command of English-born Irish nationalist leader, Erskine Childers and his wife Mollie.

Harry Boland

On July 30, 1922,  -  Harry Boland, Irish revolutionary and principal IRA  organizer  from 1916 to 1922  was murdered by British supported Free State forces during the Irish Civil War in Skerries Co. Dublin.

Bobby Sands film wins prestigious award at Cannes

(Click here for complete account)

GENERAL MEAGHER HEADSTONE UNVEILED IN NEW YORK

The first headstone anywhere in the world to memorialize Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher was unveiled at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn NY, on Saturday, April 19, 2008.  The initiative is among the first of many Civil War veterans' grave-markers that the management of the National Historic Landmark cemetery has begun to install. Five years ago the cemetery assembled a team of research volunteers, led by Green-Wood's historian Jeffrey Richman, to identify the unmarked burial places of war veterans in the cemetery, which ultimately amounted to 1,100. Jeff was also master of ceremonies for the Meagher memorial.

(Click here for complete report and photogallery)

(Click here to view video)