The Irish National Congress is an

Irish republican Irish republicanism ( ga, poblachtánachas Éireannach) is the political movement for the unity and independence of Ireland under a republic. Irish republicans view British rule in any part of Ireland as inherently illegitimate. The develop ...

organisation formed in December 1989 to prepare for commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the

1916 Rising The Easter Rising ( ga, Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the a ...

. Its members work on a non-party political, non-sectarian basis for a united Ireland, and human rights. They campaign on various other issues such as justice and peace, investigations into political deaths of nationalists and civilians in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, and Irish neutrality. Its first public meeting was held in

Liberty Hall Liberty Hall ( ga, Halla na Saoirse), in Dublin, Ireland, is the headquarters of the Services, Industrial, Professional, and Technical Union (SIPTU). Designed by Desmond Rea O'Kelly, it was completed in 1965. It was for a time the tallest b ...

in January 1990. The leading national artist

Robert Ballagh Robert Ballagh (born 22 September 1943) is an Irish artist, painter and designer. He was born in Dublin and studied architecture at the Bolton Street College of Technology. His painting style was strongly influenced by pop art. He is particular ...

chaired the organisation for ten years and spoke on its behalf in the media. It has made various submissions to Irish government bodies on such matters as Seanad Éireann reform and other constitutional issues. The future TDs

Mary Lou McDonald Mary Louise McDonald (born 1 May 1969) is an Irish politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition in Ireland since June 2020 and President of Sinn Féin since February 2018. She has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Central const ...

(currently, 2022, President of Sinn Féin) and

Finian McGrath Finian McGrath (born 9 April 1953) is an Irish former Independent politician who served as Minister of State for Disability Issues from 2016 to 2020. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 2002 to 2020. Early and personal life Born in Tuam, C ...

(was, 2019, a Government junior Minister) both served as Leas-Chathaoirleach (Vice-Chair) in the organisation in the mid-90s. Mary Lou McDonald also chaired the organisation from 2000 to 2001. The economist and journalist

Damien Kiberd Damien Kiberd is an Irish journalist and commentator. He is one of the four founders of, and was formerly editor of, ''The Sunday Business Post''. He is also a former business editor of ''The Irish Press'', and of the ''Sunday Tribune''. Kiberd ha ...

and former minister Kevin Boland were also involved. The current (2023) officers are: Chair, Paul McGuill; Vice Chair, Paddy Maguire; Secretary, Daltún Ó Ceallaigh; Treasurer, Angela O'Mahony; and Communications Officer, Tom Cooper. The INC has also campaigned against measures such as Ireland reentering the

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

and joining NATO.Now is not the time for royal visit
''

Irish Examiner The ''Irish Examiner'', formerly ''The Cork Examiner'' and then ''The Examiner'', is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country. ...

'', Tuesday, March 08, 2011 The INC is affiliated to the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA). The bulletin of the INC is INC News, both published in hard copy and accessible through its website. Its online periodical is The Irish Nation.

References

External links

Irish National Congress website
{{Authority control Political advocacy groups in Ireland 1989 establishments in Ireland Irish republican organisations