A Tribute to Erin

His dreams inspired hope
His words ignited passion
His courage forged a nation's destiny

Michael Collins, Ireland 1916

This is dedicated to all the men and women who lost their lives throughout the centuries in their strife for bringing freedom to their country they loved with all their heart and with all what they were - Ireland. Brave men and women who strongly believed in their dream to come true one day.But what price did destiny claim. A nation butchered and slain throughout the centuries until they found peace and freedom. Not only Michael Collins will live on in the hearts, but all those who died for the same goal and whose names are only known by the wind.

The brave seven that signed the Irish Proclamation in 1916 (from left):

Pádaig Pearse, James Conolly, Thomas Clarke, Thomas MacDonagh, Seán MacDermott, Joseph Plunkett, Eamonn Ceannt

I don't want to let it go unnoticed that there were a lot of brave women as well. One among them was Countess Constance Markievicz. She was a real hero...a woman of her times. The Countess was also one of the few survivors and was released from prison in 1917. All the leaders had been executed at Killmainham Jail, but she got away for she was a woman. Though she claimed the same rights as others...to be executed...they simply refused. Constance Markievicz is one of those women I really look up to. May her spirit carry on through time and space. Your memory will live on in my heart.

Irish National Anthem

Amhán Na bhFiann

Sinne Fianna Fáil,
Atá Fá gheall ag Éirinn,
Buidhean dár sluagh tar rúinn do ráinig
chughainn:
Fámhoídh bheírh saor,
Sean-tír ár sinnsear feasta
Ní fágfar fá'n tíorán ná fa'n tráil;
Anocht a theigeamh sa bhearna baoghail,
Le gean ar Gaedhí chun báis nó saoghail,
Le gunna sgréach: Fá lamhach na piléar.
Seo Libh canaidh amhrán na bhFiann.

Seo dhibh a cháirde duan oglaidh
Caithréimeach, bríoghmhar, ceolmhar.
Ár dteinte cnámh go buacach táid,
`S an spéir go min réaltógach.
Is fionmhar faobhrach sinn chun gleo
'S go tiúnmhar glé roimh tigheacht do'n ló,
Fa ciúnas chaoimh na h-oidhche ar seol,
Seo libh, canaídh amhrán na bhFiann.

Cois banta réidhe, ar árdaibh sléibhe.
Ba bhuadhach ár rinnsear romhainn,
Ag lámhach go tréan fá'n sár- bhrat séin
Tá thuas sa ghaoith go seolta;
Ba dhúthchas riamh d'ár gcine cháidh
Gan iompáil riar ó imirt áir,
'Siubhal mar iad i gcoinnibh rámhaid
Seo libh, canaidh amhrán na bhFiann.

A buidhean nach fann d'fuil Ghaoidheal is Gall
Sinn breacadh lae na saoirse,
Tá sgéimhle 's sgannradh í gcroidhthibh namhad,
Roimh ranngaibh laochra ár dtíre;
Ár dteinte is tréith gan spréach anois,
Sin luinne ghlé san spéir anoir,
'S an bíodhbha i raon na bpiléar agaibh:
Seo libh, canaidh amhrán na bhFiann.

A Soldiers Song

Soldiers are we,
whose lives are pledged to Ireland
Some have come from a land beyond the wave,
Sworn to be free,
no more our ancient sireland
Shall shelter the despor or the slave;
tonight we man the Bearna Baoghal
In Erin's cause.
come woe or weal;
'Mid cannon's roar and rifle's peal
We'll sing a soldier's song.

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song
With cheering, rousing chorus
As round our blazing fires we thong,
The starry heavens o'er us;
We are energetic and ready for the battle
And as we wait the mornings light
here in the silence of the night
We'll sing a soldier's song.

In valley green or towering crag
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's floating o'er us,
We're children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march the foe to face,
We'll sing a soldier's song.

Sons of the Gael. Men of the Pale!
The Long watched day is breaking;
The serried ranks of Innisfail
Shall set the tyrant quaking.
Our camp fires now are burning low;
See in the east a silvery glow,
Out yonder waits the saxon foe,
So sing a soldier's song.

This national anthem was written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney, an uncle of Brendan Behan. It was not widely known until it was sung in front of the GPO during the Easter Rising in 1916 and later on in different internment camps where the republicans had been held. Shortly afterwards it had been taken on as national anthem and replaced God Save Ireland. The first edition of this song was only published in 1916. (It was very hard to have it translated into English.)

Nancy Monaghan has created the Community for Irish and Irish-American women on the Net. If you are interested you are more than welcome to join.

"Hello Maeve! I've created an Irish Women on the Web Community at the following URL: http://mycomm.excite.com/mycomm/browse.asp?cid=62401

Slan go foill,

Nancy Monaghan"

It is my sincere hope that this Community will provide a welcoming place on the 'Net for Irish and Irish-American women to meet and discuss ideas, resources and anything else they so wish.

I would very much appreciate it if you could make this information available to anyone who might be interested.

The Soldier's Song is hosted by