CROMWELL COVER-UP

Members of the Connolly Association staged a sombre demonstration outside the Museum of London at the end of February in protest at the absence of any reference to Oliver Cromwell's bloody Irish campaigns in the museum's Cromwell, Warts and All exhibition, which marked the 400th anniversary of the English republican's birth.

The failure to consult Irish colleagues, community groups or staff from the Irish embassy over such a sensitive matter was "deplorable" said Connolly Association executive member Frank Small, who handed in a letter to museum staff on behalf of the Association complaining about the omission.

"It was inexcusable that there were no references to the slaughter of the inhabitants of Drogheda and Wexford or to Cromwell's Hell or Connaught policy which saw thousand of Irish landlords stripped of their lands and forced to live in barren areas west of the river Shannon, while those even less fortunate were transported to the Caribbean as slaves."

Such Actions were extreme, even in the context of the 17th century, he insisted.

Claims by the museum authorities that they had nothing which related to Cromwell's Ireland campaigns were dismissed by the Association.

"A catalogue of the museum's Tangye collection contained dozens of relevant books and documents and I only got half way through it," explained Fran Small, a librarian by profession.

It is understood that a draft commentary prepared for the exhibition originally contained references to Cromwell's Irish campaigns but these had been removed prior to its opening, despite opposition from some museum staff.

In addition to the offence caused by the omission, the museum had also missed a golden opportunity to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of Britain and Ireland, the Connolly Association stressed in its letter:

"Seventeenth century events in Ireland still resonate in both Britain and Ireland - the name of the town Drogheda and the expression "to hell or Connaught" evoke strong reactions to this day. Editing out a brief reference to Cromwell's actions in Ireland is unhelpful in the context of Anglo-Irish relations."

"This failure to provide information about what the Irish perceive as a great historical wrong is a missed opportunity to contribute towards the creation of a climate of understanding and mutual respect which the Belfast seeks to foster."

 The Association has urged the museum to establish a means of consulting relevant Irish bodies over the planning of future exhibitions which include an Irish dimension.

The Northampton Connolly Associations are the sponsors of the Irish Community Arts Project and between them they have put together an impressive display of Celtic art forms by a small group of Celtic artists in this middle England town of Northampton.

First impressions are the massive eight foot square fabric Celtic wall hangings. The are really impressive. You have to walk around they and those small Celtic designs you (have) seen in books are blown up to an impressive size. The colour and the design hits your eye. If there was a seat available I could have sat and stared th these designs. The middle and the corners all told a story.

The centre piece was the Irish dancing costumes from the traditional simple green with simple Celtic designs don by hand to the ultra modern, dare I say, psychedelic designs and colours.

Joy Daniels makes Celtic stencils and produces some really beautiful cards. Stencil work can allow some really subtle colours and blends and Joy even adds glitter to her designs which make them sparkle. A joy to see and something I would like to learn. I understand that she runs classes.

Tony Teevan is a quiet man with a great Celtic talent in leatherwork and glass. He presented some leather cases with fine workmanship and the shadings perfection. A four foot by six design in leather with a clock in the middle is great but his full sized glass door with a Celtic design etched into the glass was superb but he should have put black paper behind the glass to bring out the design.

Peter Mulligan is a screen printer by hobby. He prints designs on stones, slate, cards and fabric. His fabric strips with designs from the book of Lindisfarne was eye catching. His screen printed cards and envelopes are well known in Britain as he produces bi-lingual cards, some with greetings in all the Celtic languages. His prints on stones and tiles were especially pleasing. There is great potential in this area.

David Nochols is a freelance artist of some repute. His work is mainly in pencil with shading. His designs are all original, based of course on teh traditional Celtic manuscipts. You have to see this work to appreciate the new explorations on the basic inherited designs. His designs are on exploration of the variations in Celtic design. Budding Celtic artists could learn a lot here.

The blurb tells us that this exhibition is to enlighten and inform and the eight pages on the history of the Celts and their culture must be read. The Librarian is arranging school visits and children will be encouraged to make their own designs or colour in freely supplied pre-printed Celtic designs.

The Irish dancing costumes were presented courtesy of the Rhona Baldry Academy of Dancing and the Fiona McMahon School of Dancing.

Peter Mulligan who put this exhibition together tells me that the next one is already planned and he would like Celtic artists from around the world to submit designs via the internet. He can be contacted at: pmcelt@compuserve.com .

Q: What is the Northampton Connolly Association?
A: We are a branch of the national Connolly Association with a head office, a bookshop and a newspaper published in London.

Q: Is there a connection with any groups in Ireland?
A: No formal connection - but we do retain a fraternal connection with groups doing like minded work in Ireland and Britain.

Q: Who established this group and when?
A: The group was established in London on the 4th September 1938 from an amalgamations of the London Branch of the Republican Congress, the Anti-Imperial League and later some members of the Anti-Partition League.

Q: Is this group connected to any political party?
A: No. The group is a non party political and non sectarian. All members must live on this island. (Britain.) The Association is named after James Connolly the Irish Republican socialist who was shot after the 1916 revolution.

Members are urged to be active in the protection, defence and propagation of Irish culture and the civil rights of the Irish community. We work in Branches and in opposition to any laws which restrict a resolution to the Irish question and the rights of British taxpayers to voice such opposition. We do not advocate violence but we can understand how injustice can drive people to it. Our work is based on political campaigning, influencing events and decisions. We believe in a political, not a military resolution. It can be done and you can help.

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