Today is Good Friday, the solemn day on which Jesus Christ gave his life to purchase forgiveness for the sins of humanity. On Good Friday of 1916 - that year, the 21st of April - Roger Casement's ill-fated attempt to bring more arms to the valiant Volunteers failed, as he was captured by the British and hanged in ignominy a few short months later.
At the time each of these events occurred, it would have been easy to see them as portents of total defeat. Yet in truth, these moments of great pain preceded moments of the greatest and most incredible victory: victories which even Death could not prevent. Victories which will live forever in history, despite the appearance of defeat.
Today, we are assaulted daily with propaganda, great campaigns of demoralisation - Ireland is finished! Ireland is over! Ireland has fallen! There are as many voices crying this from within the movement as without.
Indeed, Ireland faces a dire future, and it seems we have not seen the worst of it yet. However every Irish Nationalist must recall in his heart, in his soul, the lesson of these events: not even Death can stop men who strive for Greatness.
So, in the face of this assault, immerse yourself in this lesson and strive toward a greater Ireland; toward the Gaelstát. Struggle for the Lord. Struggle for Greatness. Struggle for Ireland!
