Annual Michael Flannery
Testimonial Awards Dinner.
By:
Dominick Bruno
Yonkers, NY - Nearly 100 people gathered at Rory Dolan’s
in Yonkers to celebrate Cumann
na Saoirse Náisiúnta’s 2012
Honorees at the 17th
Annual Michael Flannery
Testimonial Awards Dinner.
Maggie Trainor was MC of the
event. Entertainment was
provided by the talented Peadar
O Hici & Donie Ryan, who were
joined on bodhran by long time
Republican activist Gerry
Enright in performing
traditional Irish ballads. John
McManus of the Tyrone Pipe Band
once again lent his services as
piper to commemorate the cause
of Irish Freedom.The event opened with a moving tribute to
Brian Mór Ó Baoighill and Barney
Mulligan, both of whom passed
away this past year by John
McDonagh of Radio Free Éireann
. Brian Mór’s contributions to
the Michael Flannery Testimonial
Awards Dinner have become a
staple over these many years.
Whether through his personalized
awards, his wit as co-MC of the
Dinner, or his knowledge of
history, his loss marks the end
of an era for the Dinner, and he
will be sorely missed by
all.What Bernie did for the
visual arts, Barney did for
words, and his poetic works have
become considered an open window
into the heart and soul of a
true Irish Republican.
The Michael & Pearl Flannery
“Spirit of Freedom” Award was
accepted by Liam O’Murchadha on
Kathleen “Terry” O’Callaghan’s
behalf as Terry was not
physically able to attend the
dinner. Terry’s long history of
involvement in the Irish
Republican movement, both in the
United States as well as
Ireland, demonstrate her
remarkable dedication to the
32-County Republic. Terry’s
quiet, selfless role in the
history of Republicanism not
only helped make possible
today’s generation of Irish
Republican activists, it also
provides a shining example.
Byron and Suzanne Heller
received the Sr. Sarah Clarke
Human Rights Award from Vic
Sackett. The Hellers’
unflagging devotion to a united,
peaceful, and free Ireland can
be seen in all areas of their
lives. Always active in
supporting the rights of
political prisoners in Ireland,
Suzanne also served the cause of
Irish Freedom as
Financial Officer and
Chairperson of the Freedom For
All Ireland Committee for the
Johnstown, PA Division of the
Ladies Ancient Order of
Hibernians until it disbanded in
2011.
Noted actor, Irish historian,
and fluent speaker of Irish &
Welsh, Brian Mallon received the
Joseph Mary
Plunkett Award from John
McDonagh as part of Cumann na
Saoirse Náisiúnta’s Countdown to
2016 celebration in recognition
of his cultural and activist
work. After some amusing
recollections of his Irish
Republican guerilla theatrics
from the ‘80s, Mr. Mallon was
presented with his award. The
audience was then treated to not
only a memorable song
accompanied by Christine Quinlan
Gordon, but two chapters from
Mr. Mallon’s upcoming book Shane
O’Neill: A Tale of Elizabethan
England (http://www.brianmallon.net/oneill_excerpts.html).
Statements addressing the
gathering were read by Brigid
Farrell and Joseph Flaherty from
the Release Martin Corey
Campaign, Ireland and the
Republican prisoners of war in
Maghaberry jail, currently on
dirty protest for their human
rights. There will be an open
meeting for those concerned
about interned Irish political
prisoners of conscience Martin
Corey, Gerry McGeough, & Marian
Price on October 27th,
2012 at Rocky Sullivan’s in Red
Hook, Brooklyn. More
information on the October 27th
International Day of Action for
Republican POWs is available at
http://supportthepows.irish-solidarity.net
Congratulations were extended
to long time friend of Cumann na
Saoirse Náisiúnta, Wayne Bartow,
who will be presented The
Lifetime Achievement Award for
his unwavering dedication to
addressing cultural inequities.
Pat Williams presented Seamus O
Dubhda with a framed picture of
the Ballyseedy Memorial Monument
with the Kerry Roll of Honour.
Seamus’s late brother Sean gave
the oration when the monument
was first unveiled in 1959.
Cumann na Saoirse Náisiúnta
wishes to thank everyone who
attended; took out ads in the
journal; the owner & staff of
Rory Dolan’s; and the many
volunteers who offered their
talent and labor to make this a
successful dinner.
Video footage of the event will
be available on
www.irishfreedom.net
and YouTube. --- click here
for video footage
Dinner Photos
 
 
 
 
 
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