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| 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 (Template:Lang-ga) evolved from the commemorative Directories which the IRA helped set up in 1963 to mark the bicentenary of the 1763 birth of Wolfe Tone. In 1964 the Directories were dissolved and replaced with the Wolfe Tone Society. It's chief objective is the establishment of an 'united Irish Republic.'
History
In 1963 to celebrate the bi-centenary of Wolfe Tone's birth, Irish republicans formed the Wolfe Tone Bi-centenary Directories. Due to the support shown at the commemoration, it was decided at a meeting of the Directories in Dublin, July 1964, to disband the Directories and replace it with the "Muintir Wolfe Tone", or Wolfe Tone Society.
This organization decided that it should focus on trying to "influence cultural and political trends in the country" and using democratic means to weaken the Unionist government of Northern Ireland. It's main bases of strength where in Belfast and Dublin.
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 support the nationalist cause.
In 1984, a Wolfe Tone Society was founded in London from the amalgamation of several London based Irish republican groups. It gives support to Sinn Fein policies. It holds major meetings and republican commemorations at the Camden Irish Centre in London, which are attended by Sinn Fein members such as Francie Molloy, and also stages protests.
The London society also has the support of Labour MP John McDonnell, who not long after being elected gave a speech at a Bobby Sands commemoration at the Camden Irish Centre in 1997.
Objectives
Upon its creation, the Wolfe Tone Society declared that it's aim was to further the creation of an all-Ireland republic as declared in the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. To achieve this it would focus on trying to convince the people of Ireland to support its creation, via meetings, publications and other means. To help promote it's message, the organisation published a newsletter called Tuairisc.
Involvement with NICRA
At a meeting which took place in Maghera, County Londonderry, over 13–14 August 1966, attended by all Wolfe Tone Societies and the IRA's chief of staff, Cathal Goulding, it was proposed that a civil rights campaign be started. From this meeting another was arranged in Belfast and on 29 January 1967 the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association was formed. The thirteen man committee which was formed included Fred Heatley and Jack Bennett from the Wolfe Tone Societies and Liam McMillan of the IRA.
Bibliography
- English, Richard. Armed Struggle;– A History of the IRA, MacMillan, London 2003, ISBN 1-4050-0108-9
- Coogan, TP. The Troubles: Ireland's Ordeal, 1969-96, and the Search for Peace, Arrow Books Ltd, 1996, ISBN 009946571X
References
- ^ National Archives Ireland - Tuairisc: The news-letter of the Wolfe Tone Society, Number One
- English p85
- http://www.iol.ie/~rjtechne/century130703/1960s/wtsconst.htm
- CAIN - Century of Endeavour
- ^ Abe Books - Wolfe Tone Annual 1994
- CAIN - "We Shall Overcome" .... The History of the Struggle for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland 1968 - 1978 by NICRA (1978)
- English pp85-86
- An Phoblacht - Wolfe Tone AGM rejects criminalisation
- ^ Friends Reunited - Wolfe Tone Society
- ^ English p91