People on Arranmore Island are to pay a unique tribute to Peadar O’Donnell.
The event will involve the unveiling of a photograph and plaque followed by flag raising and reading of the proclamation.
Refreshments and music provided and all musicians are welcome to Killeens on the island from 9pm on September 24th next form 1pm.
Speakers will inlcude Des Geraghty; Donal Donnelly; Anton McCabe; Seán Bonner; John Boyle; Seamus Rodgers.
Born in 1893 in Meenmore, outside Dungloe, Irish Republican, Peadar O’Donnell was a prominent social activist, a human rights campaigner, and a prolific writer.
Peadar trained as a teacher in St Patrick’s College, Dublin and from 1916 to 1918 he was headmaster of No. 1 National School on Arranmore Island. It was during this time that he developed his appetite for socialism.
Setting aside one hour per day to his writing and becoming actively involved in the trade union movement, O’Donnell soon developed his public persona that would see him become one of the foremost political thinkers of the twentieth century.
These roots in social activism soon saw him elected as county secretary for the Donegal branch of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) in July 1917. Among the educational issues he campaigned for were funding, policies, pay and conditions. O’Donnell was increasingly influenced by the socialist world-view of Big Jim Larkin and James Connolly and consequently he established a resilient connection with the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU).
Moreover, he witnessed first hand the hardship of Arranmore islanders who emigrated to Scotland to work as tattie hokers, which spurred him to advocate on their behalf. In June 1918 the progressively public social activist chaired a meeting on Arranmore and with the islanders he established the Arranmore Migratory Labourers’ Union.
Peadar also formed strong connections with the Donegal islands of Inis Fraoch and Inis Caorach, the latter being the setting of his well-received novel Islanders (1927). In this year, the centenary of the 1916 Rising, the centenary of Peadar’s appointment as headmaster on Arranmore, and the 30th anniversary of his death, we, as islanders, pay him tribute for advocating for our social and industrial rights.
“Therefore, we are hosting a dedication ceremony to remember the work of Peadar O’Donnell and the everlasting connection he made with the people of Arranmore. This event will take place on Saturday 24th September 2016, at 1pm in An Chultúrlann, Oileán Árainn Mhóir. Music and refreshments will be provided and all musicians are warmly welcomed. The dedication event will be followed by a night of music Killeens, Árainn Mhór from 9pm. We invite all those interested to join us on this special occasion,” said a spokesman.
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