NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY ORGANISATION IN CO. KILDARE

The Kildare Observer 15 May 1926

FIANNA FAIL. NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY ORGANISATION IN CO. KILDARE

            In Droichead Nua Town Hall on Sunday of last week assembled the most representative gathering of Republican delegates yet held in Kildare for the purpose of launching the new Republican movement in the county. Close on sixty delegates, representing practically every county and district electoral area, were present.

Mr. Donal Buckley, T.D., Maynooth, presided at the outset, in the absence of Rev. Fr. Burbage, Moyvalley, who was delayed owing to a temporary breakdown of his motor.

Mr. Buckley opened the proceedings in Irish, and in English explained the purpose for which they were assembled, and emphasized that he with the majority of Kildare Republicans was in thorough sympathy with, the new organisation under the leadership of Eamon De Valera, and whose ultimate aim was the common objective of those who were true to the ideals of those who went out in 1916 and died for its achievement.

Rev. Fr. Burbage, who subsequently arrived, received an ovation from those present, and delivered an inspiring address on the circumstances leading up to and following the present Sinn Fein Ard Fheis.

Mr. Sean Lemass, who was present on behalf of the provisional organising committee explained in detail the purpose and methods approved for the organising of Fianna Fail. The Cumann, or branches would, as far as convenient, be formed in channel areas and from these would be appointed Comhairle Ceanntair. The formation of the Cumann would be the groundwork of the organisation, and to divert the formation of these and central the organisation a Constituency Committee would be set up at that meeting. The entire of County Kildare was at present one constituency, and those who would be elected by that meeting would be responsible for the formation and control of the organisation.

A lengthy discussion followed, in which different details and phases of the organisation were dealt with, after which it was decided that the following be elected as the Constituency Committee: – Messrs J. Behan, Monasterevan: W. O’Flaherty, Clane: R. Harris, Prosperous: M. O’ Kelly, Naas: with Mr. M. J. O’ Donoghue, Naas, as hon. Secretary. As Athy area was not adequately represented at the Convention, it was decided to postpone election of representatives for that area until local Republican representatives were consulted.

Mr. J. Behan said it was an auspicious circumstance that they had present that day at their inaugural meeting of Fianna Fail a priest with the record and prestige of a man like Father Burbage, and it boded nothing but success for the attainment of its object, which he felt sure would have the support of the Republicans of every county in Ireland as well as Kildare.

Arrangements having been made for meeting of Constituency Committee and other matters dealing with the work of organisation, the proceedings closed.

It may not be without interest to recall that in Newbridge (at that time the centre almost of British military domination in Ireland) was held the first Sinn Fein County Convention after 1916. That meeting was summoned by Mr. E. Moran, Brownstown, and Mr. O’Kelly, Naas, some months ago after their return from deportation to England, and owing to a disappointment that those who then attended will remember the Town Hall was not available, and the original meeting was held under the open canopy of Heaven in front of the Town Hall. That meeting gave a fillip to the movement in the county, which had its reverberations in almost every townland in Kildare. Perhaps history is about to repeat itself now, following Sunday’s rally of Republicanism in Kildare.

Re-typed by Mary Murphy