Mike Skeahan to receive Michael Flannery Spirit of Freedom Award -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Tue, Jan 16 2007, 19:39:15 PST
Author: National Irish Freedom Committee
Subject: Mike Skeahan to receive Michael Flannery Spirit of Freedom Award

Mike Skeahan

Like "Mack the Knife" in the song from Berchtold Brecht's Three Penny Opera, Mike Skeahan has always been the strong, silent type, operating in the background. But unlike Brecht's character, Mike Skeahan was never in it for himself, but always served a higher cause.

One of many examples of this is found back when the recent troubles began, the Republican movement at home produced a book called Freedom Struggle, which was promptly banned on the other side of the pond. Having obtained a bootleg copy of same, Mike took it upon himself to produce an American edition of the same (typeset and all, from scratch). The distinguishing difference on the cover was a photograph of some IRA men armed with US Rifle, calibre .30, M-1. [Mike had a love affair with the M-1 Rifle that went back to the end of the Second World War, when he volunteered for the 82nd Airborne Division.] While maintaining his day-time job, Mike (with the occasional assistance of a friend or two) put in more nights than he would care to remember making Freedom Struggle happen -- much to the chagrin of Brits and Free Staters alike.

A native of New York City, Mike comes of good Fenian stock. His father, also named Michael, was an IRA man (and an Irish Volunteer before the Rising) from Kilkee, County Clare (a town once served by the famous West Clare Railroad). While on the run during the "Tan War", the senior Michael Skeahan met his future wife, Christina Barton (a member of Cumann na mBan) in a safe house in Limerick, operated by her father, Michael Barton - an IRB man.

Mike graduated from Saint Sebastian's school in Queens, and attended Power Memorial Academy under the gentle tutelage of the Irish Christian Brothers, where he majored in football and track. He graduated from St. Michael's High School and then, with two buddies, joined the US Army for World War II. A bricklayer by trade, he was an officer of Local 34 of the Bricklayer's Union, in Manhattan.

Whenever there was trouble at home, Mike was there, always behind the scenes, lending his own special support to the Cause of Irish Freedom. He worked very closely, and always very discretely, with the late Martin Madden, and others, during the recent Troubles.

After the parting of the ways in 1986, Mike Skeahan was one of seven men who met in Mike Flannery's parlor to found Cumann na Saoirse. It was Mike Skeahan who came up with the name "Cumann na Saoirse", and who insisted, to avoid being embarrassed by back-sliding politicians at home in Ireland, that Cumann na Saoirse would have no foreign principle, but rather would be an independent American organization devoted to furthering the bright dream of the men and women of 1916.

Mike could always be counted on to do the heavy lifting, all the while shunning publicity. The only thing that he couldn't be counted on to do was to stand still long enough to be photographed. There is, however, a rumor that Mike Skeahan might, that is just might, consent to being photographed at the testimonial on January 26th.....

Michael Skeahan will receive the The Michael Flannery Spirit of Freedom Award.

Ad Journal

Cumann Na Saoirse N��isi��nta is producing a commemorative ad Journal to mark the event.

Please support this year��s honorees, each of whom have done extraordinary work in the noble cause of Irish freedom, by placing an ad in the journal.
Full Page $100.00 �� Half Page $60.00 ��
Please check the appropriate box
Authorized Signature: ________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________ Email: ____________________________________

For assistance in placing an ad, please call 732-441-3679
Or email; nifcmem@optonline.net
For ticket information please call Bob at 845 354 2473
The closing date for ads is Jan 20th 2007
Please send your check or money order to:
P.O. Box 1396, Laurence Harbor, NJ 08897
Please make checks or M.O. payable to Cumann Na Saoirse
_________________
Cumann Na Saoirse N��is��unta
National Irish Freedom Committee
http://www.irishfreedom.net/

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Replies:

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