A special memorial event will take place in Annagry this Saturday, September 12.
The event will remember the remarkable Peadar Ó Domhnaill.
Ó Domhnaill was a teacher, trade unionist, IRA leader during the Tan war, founding member of the Republican Congress and noted literary figure.
Born in Na Rosa, he was a brilliant student who upon graduating as a teacher taught in several gaeltacht areas before travelling to Scotland to help organise the Scottish Farm Servants’ Union.
On the outbreak of the war for independence, Peadar joined the IRA and led a flying column in west Donegal. An opponent of the Treaty, he found himself imprisoned by the Free State. After the civil war, Ó Domhnaill played a leading role in the formation of the Republican Congress.
In later years Peadar concentrated on writing a series of books among which was ‘The Islanders’ (translated into Gaeilge by Seosamh Mac Grianna as Rann na Feirste) telling of the many hardships endured by the inhabitants of the islands off the west coast of Ireland.
Now, forty years after Peadar Ó Domhnaill was laid to rest, an autumn school has been organised in his memory in his native county. The event will be held in Scioból an Phobail, Mín na Craoibhe.
The day will begin at noon with a ceremony at the International Brigade Monument at An Machaire. This is being organised in order to recognise the enormous support given by Ó Domhnaill to the besieged Spanish Republic on the ninetieth anniversary of the beginning of the Spanish civil war.
Marking the occasion, a solidarity address will be delivered by Comhairleoir Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig
After the opening ceremony, the school will move to Scioból an Phobail.
The first event will start at 2:00pm with an exploration of the situation in Cuba today.
This will be followed at 2:30pm by a panel discussion debating, ‘The Struggle for Sovereignty in an Imperialist World’.
After the debate, Darragh Power will provide some musical entertainment for all who attend.