The Republican plot holds the graves of IRA hunger strikers, what Mary Lou McDonald called the “holy ground,” a place of worship, and so it was no coincidence that the party held its annual Easter commemoration before one of the most important elections in decades. All eyes are on Sinn Fein this weekend, with political opponents wanting to take advantage of any IRA “glorification” so close to polling day. With the party well on its way to taking over as First Minister, any perceived blunder would take advantage of the opposition. Mrs. McDonald made sure to give a nod to the Republican faithful who gathered for the first time in three years, as the annual event had been canceled due to the pandemic. “We stand by the families of our dead patriots. We are always inspired by your dignity and resilience. “We will never forget the sacrifices and contributions of your loved ones,” he said. Addressing the crowd in Irish, she spoke of the “Spirit of Freedom,” a phrase related to Bobby Sands, and quoted witness Padraig Pearse of 1916, but other than that, the speech looked more to the future than to the past. “Friends, there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. This moment is now. We live the final game of partition. “Now is the time to plan, to prepare for the Irish unity of our time,” he said. Unsurprisingly, a Sinn Fein leader is talking about unification at a commemoration of the Easter Uprising, but the framework will no doubt further upset unionism in a time of turmoil, with the Republican goal now having power on both sides. of borders. In a direct message to the political union, he said: “If Sinn Fein emerges as the largest party, we will nominate Michelle O’Neill for the post. “There is no office on this land that is out of bounds or the exclusive property of a group. Those days are gone – and goodbye. “ Mrs O’Neill also looked back at the history and significance of the Easter season for Republicans. But he referred to the trade unionists and the trade union tradition, though how they would be treated in a New Ireland. “All identities can and will be integrated into an agreed, united Ireland because this Ireland will be democratically shaped by the will of the people,” he said. A citizens’ assembly is now clearly on the political agenda, with the two women referring to the establishment of such a forum. “Citizens’ assemblies have played a positive role in preparing the ground for previous important referendums,” Ms O’Neill added. A Citizens’ Assembly can also be the key to setting a clear path for a new, united Ireland before any referendum. The party wants to return to Stormont after the election, with Ms O’Neill pointing to legislation passed in recent weeks by the institutions, despite the fact that the DUP ousted the executive branch. Sinn Fein is in a more careful way than it was in previous years. Easter speeches used to have a more militant tone, more connected to the recent past and the faces of that time, but this was largely a case of examining the impact of each word. While the Republicans were being commemorated, no woman uttered the word “IRA.” These were carefully written speeches. The party feels confident, and this can be seen in the words and performance of its top team, which consists exclusively of women. It will certainly excite Sinn Fein voters – but it scared the DUP even further, desperate to retain the post of First Minister.
