A few years ago, H and I were in Dublin where we stayed with our friend Gideon who at the time was a journalist with Reuters. Gideon's granddad was Sam Wilde. Sam was a hero who fought in the International Brigade against Franco's fascists in the Spanish civil war in 1936.
While we were in Dublin, Gid took us to a party to raise funds for a memorial in Limerick for the Irish who fought alongside Sam for the republican side against the rise of fascism. At the party we met Michael O'Riordan, one of the last surviving people who fought against Franco. In the Republic's final offensive of July 25 1938, O'Riordan carried the flag of Catalunya across the River Ebro.
In Ireland many of the teachers, trade unionists, poets and artists who went and fought, came back to a very difficult time. The catholic church in Rome supported Franco and Mussolini, and so in Ireland the church rallied behind the cause of fascism to an extent where some Irishman left to fight on Franco's side in the Spanish war.
When the heroes of the International Brigade returned they were given a difficult time because of the church's stance. Many couldn't get jobs, and had to leave their home towns, even change their names in some cases in order to work.
Last night I arrived in Cape Clear, the most southerly point of Ireland, and a very beautiful and welcoming place it is. This is the view from my tent at about 8am this morning, not a bad thing to wake up to.
While we were in Dublin, Gid took us to a party to raise funds for a memorial in Limerick for the Irish who fought alongside Sam for the republican side against the rise of fascism. At the party we met Michael O'Riordan, one of the last surviving people who fought against Franco. In the Republic's final offensive of July 25 1938, O'Riordan carried the flag of Catalunya across the River Ebro.
In Ireland many of the teachers, trade unionists, poets and artists who went and fought, came back to a very difficult time. The catholic church in Rome supported Franco and Mussolini, and so in Ireland the church rallied behind the cause of fascism to an extent where some Irishman left to fight on Franco's side in the Spanish war.
When the heroes of the International Brigade returned they were given a difficult time because of the church's stance. Many couldn't get jobs, and had to leave their home towns, even change their names in some cases in order to work.
Of course, history has painted a different picture and no doubt the church of Rome will hide behind some excuse or other. But the men of the International Brigade are now seen as heroes both at home and in Spain, where many of the families have received the country's highest honours for their the bravery of their fathers and grandfathers.
My friend David, says never write about politics or religion, and I seemed to have done both here, but I believe that the efforts of others is what shapes our life, certainly it has for me anyway.
And so I ride through the lanes of Ireland thinking about them and listening to the songs that remind us of them. Like Christy's Viva la Quenta Brigada.
Last night I arrived in Cape Clear, the most southerly point of Ireland, and a very beautiful and welcoming place it is. This is the view from my tent at about 8am this morning, not a bad thing to wake up to.