03/26/2026
The Legacy of St. Patrick’s Day - A letter from Ireland
a Chara,
What unites seven diverse Irish American groups, President Trump, New York Mayor Mandami and Governor Hochul? All raised the prospect of Irish Unity and self-determination.
To mark St. Patrick’s Day, seven Irish American groups signed on to advertisements calling on the Irish and British Governments to plan, prepare, and set a date for the Irish Unity Referendums.
It was a diverse group with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians representing the largest Irish American groups, alongside the Brehon Law Society, an umbrella group for Irish American lawyers across New York and the James Connolly Irish American Labour Coalition, the Irish American Unity Committee, the Knights of the Red Branch, and Friends of Sinn Féin.
The advertisement was carried across Irish American Media and on St. Patrick’s Day, placed in The New York Times. On the same day, New York Governor Kathy Hochul restated her support for Irish Unity, and Mayor Mamdani recognised the resistance and solidarity of the Irish and their right to self-determination.
In Washington D.C., speaking at a lunch in Congress attended by members, the Taoiseach and the DUP’s Deputy First Minister, President Trump floated the idea of a merger between the North and South.
That must have been uncomfortable listening for a Taoiseach who refuses to plan, prepare or advocate for Irish Unity.
Across the US and Canada, the Irish Unity message was shared at parades and functions.
This reflects the growing support for unity that we are witnessing across North America. The call for unity has been made in state houses, Irish Centres, Congressional Offices, across dinner tables, and in conference centres.
Friends of Sinn Féin USA has an online activist group that meets monthly and has produced a series of online video interviews, is producing study guides, and is issuing calls to action.
It is the classic approach of educate, activate and organise, brought up to date for the online generation. This month, the Cleveland Mayor issued a proclamation, and the City Council recognised both the right to self-determination enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement and the motion agreed by the Dáil on the need to plan and prepare for unity.
An Taoiseach Martin recently said the calls for unity were “not much substance” and “premature.” It would appear that he is not listening to Irish America, the New York Mayor and Governor, or getting reports from various St. Patrick’s Day parades, such as Toronto, where Irish Unity was front and centre.
The work across the US and Canada continues to build and manage a coalition for unity and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. At present, the only group opposing this is the Irish Government of Micheal Martin.
Your voice can and must be heard across the US and in Dublin.
Have a great weekend, and remember that Irish Unity is not just for St. Patrick’s Day, but forever.
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.
