Michael Flannery 30th Anniversary Commemoration Report

A commemoration was held to on Sunday, October 6th to mark the 30th anniversary of the death Michael Flannery. A crowd of over 30 people assembled at Mount St. Mary's cemetery in Flushing Queens. The day began with co-chair Pat Williams asking Padraig Gill, PRO of the NY Tipperary Hurling club, to come forward and place the Michael Flannery Cup beside the Celtic cross headstone. The cup is awarded each year to the victors of the New York Senior Hurling Championship. Tipperary are current back-to-back champions 2023 and 2024. Tipperary are also famously the only New York hurling team to do five in a row 1952-56

Joe Flaherty chaired from that point forward. He welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. He made special mention of a commemoration that had occurred earlier that day at home in Ireland to also mark Mike's anniversary. This commemoration was held at the Liam Lynch monument Goatenbridge, Co. Tipperary. Those assembled in New York gave a round of applause to Tom Hennessey and friends for organizing this. Sean Scott of Ballyforan, Co. Galway gave the main oration there.

Joe then briefly gave some background on Michael Flannery stating that he, Michael, had fought in both the tan war and counter revolution which followed. That Michael had been captured by Free State forces and was imprisoned during the executions of Mellows, McKelvey, O'Connor and Barrett. All of these events had left an indelible mark on Michael. Joe finished by stating that Mike had never forgotten his oath to the All Ireland Republic nor its people.

Roger Slattery was the called forward to read the 1916 Proclamation. Roger is a past President of the Tipperary Association. Michael Flannery himself had once held this esteemed position. Next to step forward was Mairead ni Dhubhda who read out the Easter Proclamation as Gaelige. James McGlashin read a biography of Michael Flannery and he was followed by Yvonne Heneghan reading a biography Pearl Flannery.

Then began the wreath laying ceremony. The first wreath, on behalf of the Flannery family was set down by his niece Geraldine Moloney. Brian McCamley then laid a wreath for the O'Donovan Rossa GAA, Queens. Norbert Hennessey was then asked to come forward in order to place his wreath on behalf of the Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York, of which Norbert has recently been made President. Norbert has been a stalwart supporter of all things Tipperary since his arrival in New York in 1972. Mike Costello next stepped forward in order to place a wreath on behalf of Republican veteran activists and the National Irish Freedom Committee. Mike has been an activist for Irish freedom for over five decades. He was a contemporary of Michael Flannery's first in Irish Northern Aid and later the NIFC.

Norbert Hennessey then returned in order to give a short oration. In the course of which, he laid down Michael Flannery's history with both the Tipperary Association, the Tippery hurling team and the GAA in general. He said Michael was a steadfast man. He also noted the great importance that county organizations and GAA clubs had, and continue to have, for Irish diaspora in America. Our native games, as promoted by the GAA are the cultural foundations of the Irish American community. Joe Flaherty then stated the closing remarks noting that the day was also the 20th anniversary of the death of George Harrison. George was a great friend of Michael Flannery's and had also been his codefendant in the IRA 5 Trail in 1982. He later co-founded the NIFC with Joe Stynes and Mike Flannery in 1987.

The day of commemoration then continued at The Wild Goose in Woodside, Queens. Here an historical/cultural event took place. An historical display of Irish Republican memorabilia was available for viewing prior. This included old photographs, posters, and mementos. A number of copies from the 1970s era An Phoblacht, Noraid and Clan na Gael documents and other material related to the Irish struggle for freedom. Some of the more interesting items were minutes of the founding meeting of Irish Northern Aid and correspondence from Mike Quill of Transport Workers Union to Michael Flannery for the Frank Ryan Committee (1948). Joe O'Broin chaired this portion of the day. He began by welcoming and thanking all who had attended.

He then introduced James McGlashin of the Gaelic American. James produced a video editing footage of Michael Flannery. These had originally been filmed by the late Peter Farley of the NIFC. It ended with Michaels last recorded statement to Irish America (1994) on the importance maintaining principle. It is a credit to both McGlashin's production work and the personality of Flannery himself, that the entire room watched silently in rapt attention. This video, along with a number of others is available to view on the Gaelic American youtube page. Joe O Broin then introduced John Ridge, John is noted historian who specializes in the Irish history of New York. He is also the President of the New York Irish History Roundtable. He was also a character witness for Patrick Mullin during the IRA 5 trail. John spoke on the importance of commemorations to the Irish American community. He also noted that the Irish were noted for attending these despite any poor weather. That they were acts of perseverance because the Irish viewed commemorating their patriot dead as a 'sacred duty'. John told of the many organizations that Flannery worked for but making it clear that the cause of Irish freedom was always present. Archives of John Ridge's Irish American historical collections can be accessed thru NYU. After, a rebel ballad session followed by Allen Gogarty which was enjoyed by all.

The commemorative day was sponsored by Flannery family members, Cumann na Saoirse Naisiunta (National Irish Freedom Committee), Gaelic American, O'Donovan Rossa GAA, Fenian Graves Association, Radio Free EIreann, Tipperary N. & B. Association and the NY Tipperary Hurling Club. Organizers Joe O Broin, Pat Williams, James McGlashin and Joe Flaherty wish to give Special thanks to the Flannery and Molony family members: Geraldine Moloney, AnnMarie Moloney, Saoirse Moloney-Stevenson and Yvonne Heneghan. Our Guest speaker John Ridge. Musician Allen Gogarty. The excellent staff of the Wild Goose for all their assistance and everyone else who helped make the day such a success!

Link to Flannery Video: https://youtu.be/-WoRjUXQT-A?si=FJRe6PauOmQPR9S7