A Clifden man, who was one of the founding-members of the San Patricio Brigade of the Mexican army, is to have a Sinn Féin cumann named after him.
The launch of the new John O’Reilly Cumann takes place in Vaughan’s Pub, Clifden, tomorrow at 7pm, and will be attended by Connemara SF councillor Tom Healy and Sen Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. There will also be a short talk on the Batallón de San Patricio
The San Patricios were formed by Irish soldiers who defected from the US Army in protest at the US’s war of aggression against Mexico in order to extend its territory. In the Mexican-American War of 1846-48 Mexico lost around 50 per cent of its territory. The San Patricios memory remains widely respected and celebrated in Mexico.
Admission is free. There will also be music and finger food. All are welcome.
