Na Fianna Éireann commemoration night

One hundred years ago Countess Markiewicz, later to became a Sinn Féin MP and first woman elected to the British House of Parliament, and John Bulmer Hobson, founded ‘Na Fianna Éireann’.
Pádraig Pearse said of Na Fianna Éireann: ‘They were as important as the creation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913’.
Fianna Éireann went on to play an important and significant role during Easter week of 1916. It is reported that the first shots of the rising were fired by Fianna officers who attacked and captured ‘Magazine Fort’ in the Phoenix Park.
Many Fians were shot dead during the rising. Na Fianna Éireann were represented at all the garrisons where Irish republicans fought the British and after the Provisional Government abandoned the GPO, and set up their HQ at Moore Street, James Connolly gave command of the GPO to Seán McLaughlin, a Fianna officer.
During the course of the recent conflict, from the late 1960s, Na Fianna Éireann were once again to come to the fore.
Hundreds of young men volunteered their services to the Republican Movement as the political crisis in the North deepened and the situation militarised.
In total 21 Fians were to die throughout the North, four of those causalities came from Ardoyne.
Thirty-seven years ago in 1972, four courageous young men; Fian's David McAuley, Joseph Campbell, Josie McComiskey and Bernard Fox; lost their lives as a direct result of the political conflict.
They were bright intelligent young men, motivated by the political circumstances they found themselves in, they made conscious well-thought out decisions to volunteer to become active in the armed struggle against the forces of the British Government.
They were continuing the proud tradition of Na Fianna Éireann involvement in the fight for Irish freedom and they had witnessed first hand, injustice and discrimination and committed themselves to do something about it.
For republicans today the form of the struggle they died for has changed but the objectives remain the same - a Ireland united, free from injustice, discrimination and sectarianism and in control of its own destiny.
On Friday 27th November the ex-POW's from Ardoyne, Ligoniel and the Bone are holding an event in the Crumlin Star to honour the memory of these brave young men.
A play about the Fianna, entitled 'Young guard of Erin', will be performed and a fitting tribute will be conducted to commemorate their loss.
Doors open at 8pm and the play will begin at 8.15pm sharp. Admission fee £5.
People should attend this event not only to remember the Four Fians who died but also as a mark of respect to their families who will be in attendance. We remember our patriot dead with pride.