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Revision as of 16:20, 12 August 2013

The Wolfe Tone Societies *(Irish, Muintir Wolfe Tone)*
Abbreviation	WTS
Formation	1964
Type	Irish political organisation
Purpose	Creation of an all Ireland republic
Headquarters	Dublin
Region served	Ireland
Membership	By invitation
Official language	English and Irish

The Wolfe Tone Societies (Irish, Muintir Wolfe Tone) evolved from the commemorative committees which the IRA helped set up in 1963 to mark the bicentenary of the 1793 birth of Wolfe Tone. These emerged as the Wolfe Tone Societies in 1964. Radical republican discussion groups which held debates across Ireland and which helped to "foster republicanism by educating the masses in their cultural and political heritage". One of their core objectives was to achieve a "united Irish republic".

One of the key intellectuals who joined the societies was Roy Johnston, a Protestant Irish nationalist who sought to encourage Protestants in Northern Ireland to join the Irish nationalist movement. In the spirit of Wolfe Tone he sought to unify all Irishmen. Another key member was Anthony Coughlan who, although not an IRA member, was a major influence on the thinking of republicans during the 1960's.

Objectives

(These are the list of objectives published in the 1970's)

1. To further the establishment of a united, independent, democratic, Irish Republic, in accordance with the 1916 Proclamation and the Democratic Programme of the First Dail. (See Appendix).

2. To show how our divided nation is kept wholly subject to British imperialism, though apparently free in part, by means of meetings, lectures, conferences, publications and any other means deemed suitable.

3. To win the support of the Irish people for the establishment of Ireland of the '70s as a united, independent nation, with control over its financial policy, ability to plan its own investment without recourse to bribery of foreigners, employing to the full the considerable skill and ability of its people irrespective of religion, trading in a diversified manner with many nations to mutual advantage, and playing its proper part among the nations, especially those at present emerging from the grip of imperialism.

4. To develop means of uniting the scattered, struggling sectional groupings so that their aims shall be aligned with the objective of a united Irish Republic.

The Society shall not put up candidates for election.

Wolfe Tone Society, London

A Wolfe Tone Society was formed in 1984 from the various smaller Irish republican groups working in London and is an Irish Republican support organization, known for its support to Sinn Fein.

The WTS have annual events in the form of parades and protests covering events such as Bloody Sunday memorial and St. Patrick's Day. It regularly invites members of the pro-United Ireland party, Sinn Féin, over to Britain for events. The WTS also has the support of some British politicians, including John McDonnell MP.

The WTS is primarily focused in London, with major meetings held at the Camden Irish Centre. This is in contrast to other support groups like Friends of Ireland, a Scottish organisation not to be confused with an American organisation of the same name, and the Troops Out Movement, who mainly operate in different parts of Britain.

Bibliography

English, Richard. Armed Struggle;– A History of the IRA, MacMillan, London 2003, ISBN 1-4050-0108-9

Sources

Wolfe Tone Society

References

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