Pic of poster for event by National Independent Republicans Committee
I would in the first instance, like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of this event, the National Independent Republicans Committee, for the warm welcome they gave to myself and my nephew who had travelled from Cymru to participate in this very important annual commemoration and for allowing me to place a wreath on behalf of Cofiwn and the patriots of Cymru at the Wolfe Tone memorial, it was a privilege and an honour to do so.
I do not know how many Irish - or Cymric patriots for that matter,, know this fact, that out of this important annual Wolfe Tone commemoration came the birth of Cofiwn, the Cymric Nationalist Remembrance movement which was founded in Cymru in 1972 by Gethin Ap Gruffydd.
Gethin had been charged and imprisoned for organising the Anti Investiture campaign and the Free Wales Army in 1969 and following his release, was living in exile in Dublin from 1970 - 1972. In 1971, he went to the Wolfe Tone Commemoration and was so impressed and inspired that he returned to Cymru in 1972 and established 'The Welsh National Commemoration Movement' that was soon to be renamed Cofiwn (we remember) on the suggestion of our Research Officer Eurig Ap Gwilym. Cofiwn's remit was to hold commemorations in the form of rallies and field trips that would serve to educate and re-unite the Cymry with their native history with the ultimate aim of suppressing the cerebral colonialism that had been used to destroy our national identity for centuries. The ivy leaf was adopted as Cofiwn's logo but this post is meant to be a report on this year's Wolfe Tone Commemorration and should not focus on Cofiwn, I will,however, place a link to our Cofiwn blog at the end of this report for anyone who wishes to read more about Cofiwn and its work.
I will also place an YouTube link to an interview I conducted with Gethin around 7 yrs ago, in which he answers questions about his childhood, his political awakening, his time in Ireland, the many movements he established here in Cymru etc, Quality of film is not the best but, well worth watching.
Now, on to reporting on the Wolfe Tone Commemoration June 7th 2026.
I have to note here for the benefit of those who do not know, Gethin had been diagnosed with IPF, a terminal lung illness, however in early 2016,, we had travelled to Dublin to participate in events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and we both really enjoyed but, his health deteriorated in the yrs following and he became less able to travel outside Cymru. He really did want to make one last trip to Ireland and to the Wolfe Tone Commemoration to lay a wreath and, three yrs ago, I had arranged all needed for the trip, booked travel and accommodation and had a driver all sorted for the trip but, sadly, Gethin's health deteriorated fast and despite his protests, it became pretty obvious that he could not make the trip.
Gethin passed over on the 18th Sept last year and I was determined to carry out his wishes and attend the Commemoration this year to lay a wreath on behalf of Cofiwn, Cymru and Gethin. I also made sure that a part of Gethin would be present by wearing his favourite sailor's cap which is adorned with all the badges that were always of importance to him until his dying breath.
I have to note here for the benefit of those who do not know, Gethin had been diagnosed with IPF, a terminal lung illness, however in early 2016,, we had travelled to Dublin to participate in events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and we both really enjoyed but, his health deteriorated in the yrs following and he became less able to travel outside Cymru. He really did want to make one last trip to Ireland and to the Wolfe Tone Commemoration to lay a wreath and, three yrs ago, I had arranged all needed for the trip, booked travel and accommodation and had a driver all sorted for the trip but, sadly, Gethin's health deteriorated fast and despite his protests, it became pretty obvious that he could not make the trip.
Gethin passed over on the 18th Sept last year and I was determined to carry out his wishes and attend the Commemoration this year to lay a wreath on behalf of Cofiwn, Cymru and Gethin. I also made sure that a part of Gethin would be present by wearing his favourite sailor's cap which is adorned with all the badges that were always of importance to him until his dying breath.
Despite the cold and miserable weather, I was truly glad to have made the trip and felt honoured and proud to participate in such a great well attended and well organised event.
The report from here onwards, is what I have lifted from the report displayed on the National Independent Republican fb page. I hope they will not mind me doing so, as by doing so, I am able to pass on a bit of what was said in the excellent speeches.
The large parade, led by a number of bands from all over Ireland, started off from the small village of Sallins to make its way to the Bodenstown Cemetery and Wolfe Tone's grave. It was an impressive sight, seek out videos of the march on the National Independent website to really see how impressive the parade was.
Noted historian Ruan O'Donnell spoke on Wolfe Tone and the demands of the United Irishmen
The main speaker was Brian Arthurs who described himself as a proud republican from Tyrone, he is also a veteran Republican and a former P.O.W.
Brian paid tribute to all the Republican activists who rose against the tyranny of British Occupation. He equally paid tribute to the 'silent army', those who provided support and logistics throughout our revolutions.
Brian went on to offer our support to the on-going anti imperialist fighters in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and Cuba. International solidarity is a bedrock of Irish Republicanism.
A powerful part of Brian's oration was that Britain had bought genocide, starvation, murder, imprisonment, torture, exile and discrimination against our identity, language, our heritage, our sport and our music, all had been attacked, demonized and criminalized but Irish people have fought back, rebelled and have demanded their freedom.
Brian concluded by stating, Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, the Manchester Martyrs, Thomas Clarke, Kevin Barry, Mairead Farrell, Martin Hurson, Dessie Grew and, his own brother, to name but a few, did not want war, Britain bought War to their country, the people resisted and rebelled. "I am proud of all the people who did not shy away from the cause - we salute the heroes of the Republic"
Brian concluded by calling for a Republic of the people and for the people...Tiocfaidh ar la.
Brian concluded by stating, Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, the Manchester Martyrs, Thomas Clarke, Kevin Barry, Mairead Farrell, Martin Hurson, Dessie Grew and, his own brother, to name but a few, did not want war, Britain bought War to their country, the people resisted and rebelled. "I am proud of all the people who did not shy away from the cause - we salute the heroes of the Republic"
Brian concluded by calling for a Republic of the people and for the people...Tiocfaidh ar la.
16 wreaths were laid in all by representatives of the Republican groups present and myself on behalf of Cofiwn, Cymru and Gethin.
The day's events concluded with the National anthem followed by a volley of shots by the historical society.
Conclusion: As I have already noted, this event was a great occasion and I'm honored to have been a participant in it and I would encourage all true Cymric Republicans who are serious about being pro active in campaigning for Cymru and our people to make the time and effort to go to Ireland to support the event next year.
We have much in common with our compatriots in Ireland, we have been 'occupied' since 1283 although, our greatest warrior leader, Owain Glyndwr, re-installed most of Cymru for a number of years at the beginning of the 15th century. Today in Cymru, what's left of our land is being sold off to Global capitalists right under our noses and with the assistance of our "so called" Senedd in Bae Caerdydd. Much of this land is earmarked for building houses that the majority of unemployed Cymry can never dream of living in! The "Senedd"s policies to deal with climate change is to finance the planting of gigantic wind turbines all over Cymru (see our other blogs and YouTube films for more info on this issue) The "Senedd"s other plans towards combating climate change is to force farmers to cut down trees on their farms and give up fields that are in use to feed their animal stock and grow food, to make room for solar farms!
Plaid Cymru MP's have started tweeting the occasional sound bite in Westminster 'asking' for our 'Crown Lands' back! They have never been 'Crown lands' , they are Cymric stolen lands and the Brit's will 'never' give them back unless we actively campaign to have them back!
So, I would say to true Cymric Republicans (if there are any active ones left) If you go to the Wolfe Tone Commemoration next year, that would be good because you can learn a lot from our Irish compatriots if only in regards to discipline but, if you are not prepared to give the same commitment to the Cymric cause and to Cymru - which is on the fast road to genocide then, you should not go because it would be an insult to the memory of Wolfe Tone and all the Irish and Cymry who have gone before you and suffered executions, transportations, torture, prison sentences and exile for the sake of Irish and Cymric freedom.
Marching is all very well but, without cast iron principals and action, we will certainly have nothing left and please don't believe for a moment that we have a Plaid Cymru led Cymric Parliament in Bae Caerdydd, we have nothing of the sort! We have a 'puppet' body of people contented with implementing British rule in Cymru. Just like all the other political parties in Westminster, they have to swear allegiance to the English king and the Sovereignty of England.
Plaid Cymru MP's have started tweeting the occasional sound bite in Westminster 'asking' for our 'Crown Lands' back! They have never been 'Crown lands' , they are Cymric stolen lands and the Brit's will 'never' give them back unless we actively campaign to have them back!
So, I would say to true Cymric Republicans (if there are any active ones left) If you go to the Wolfe Tone Commemoration next year, that would be good because you can learn a lot from our Irish compatriots if only in regards to discipline but, if you are not prepared to give the same commitment to the Cymric cause and to Cymru - which is on the fast road to genocide then, you should not go because it would be an insult to the memory of Wolfe Tone and all the Irish and Cymry who have gone before you and suffered executions, transportations, torture, prison sentences and exile for the sake of Irish and Cymric freedom.
Marching is all very well but, without cast iron principals and action, we will certainly have nothing left and please don't believe for a moment that we have a Plaid Cymru led Cymric Parliament in Bae Caerdydd, we have nothing of the sort! We have a 'puppet' body of people contented with implementing British rule in Cymru. Just like all the other political parties in Westminster, they have to swear allegiance to the English king and the Sovereignty of England.
There is a massive wind farm to be built on the site of Owain Glyndwr's first major battle site on Mynydd Hyddgen in the Pumlumon Mountains with the Senedd's blessing! its an extremely important part of our history and needs protecting, are you up for it - this time?
Memorial to the Owain Glyndwr victory at Hyddgen erected by Cofiwn in 1977
click link below
YSBRYD COFIWN 1986 - 2016: 2006
and this below
More pics and video footage of the Wolfe Tone event will be posted on a further separate blog post tommorrow.
Sian
