Friends of Charlie Donnelly Benefit Night: Friday January 29, Teachers’ Club, Parnell Square Dublin 8pm
Jan 22nd, 2010 by Conor McCabe
There’s a Valley in Spain called Jarama,
It’s a place that we all know so well,
It is there that we gave of our manhood,
And so many of our brave comrades fell.”
Among the heavy casualties taken by the poorly-equipped Republicans in the bloody battle at Jarama to save Madrid from Franco’s fascist army in February 1937 was Charlie Donnelly, the young poet whose remains lie in an unmarked grave near where he died.
On February 27 – 73 years to the day after he fell shortly after uttering the immortal line “Even the olives are bleeding”, the Friends of Charlie Donnelly will gather at the site of the battle to erect a cairn to his memory and to the memory of all those from the famed ‘Connolly Column’ who gave so much to defend the rights of the Spanish people.
The cairn, which will be built by The Friends of Charlie Donnelly, will consist of stones taken from the 32 counties of Ireland to symbolise the unity of purpose of those who died in common cause in the fight against tyranny.
Despite battling seemingly insuperable odds, at Jarama the Republicans fought the fascists to a stalemate – a victory in itself considering the forces stacked against them.
To help defray the cost of the memorial cairn, a benefit night will take place on Friday January 29 at 8pm in the Teachers’ Club, Parnell Square, Dublin. Tickets are priced at €8 at the door and can also be reserved in advance.
The night will comprise music, poetry and song but, more importantly, it will give like-minded people who appreciate the continuing significance of the Spanish War of 1936-9, an opportunity to meet up, have the craic and celebrate the spirit and legacy of people such as Charlie Donnelly.
For further details or to reserve tickets beforehand, contact:
Eddie O’Neill
087 271 2864 (m)
eddietyrone@gmail.com (e)
A memorial to three members of the International Brigade was unveiled in Blantyre, just outside of Glasgow. The three anti-fascists who died were of Irish stock; Thomas Brannan, William Fox and Thomas Fleck.
The monument is placed outside of Blantyre Miners Welfare Club. The men gave there lives fighting against fascism in Spain and were very well remembered by republicans and socialists in Blantyre. One of theier grandsons remains a committed Irish republican and it was fitting that the music at the commemoration was provided by the Glasgow Irish folk band, ‘The Wakes’.
‘The Wakes’ new CD is on sale at present, ‘No Irish Need Apply’.
The Glasgow and Lanarkshire Irish of Scotland salute the working class volunteers who gave their lives in Spain.
I especially have a great regard for Charlie Donnelly from Dungannon as my own family come from Clonoe, just outside Coalisland in the Rebel County of Tyrone.
It is right and proper that all the International Brigaders should be remembered. This monument is a further step in that direction. You may be pleased to know that one of the base stones of the monument is from Clonoe
I’m very interested comrade - could you tell me more about this? My Uncle John Pat Herron from Drummurrer in the parish of Clonoe did six years in the Crum during the ‘Border Campaign’, and was released in 1962. Could you tell me more about this please?
Hi. A message for Frank. Thank you very much for mentioning the 3 Blantyre men who gave their lives to fight for their ideals. Amazing people. I am particularly proud to say that Thomas Fleck was my grand mother’s brother.I visited the monument in Blantyre and was pleased to see it. There’s one surprise for me though and it is the claim that Thomas was of Irish decent. This would be nice news but I very much doubt that he was of Irish decent. I would be very interested and grateful to know if Frank has any evidence of this. Thanks.