Over the last few weeks, dubious questions and statements have been made by Fine Gael and its associates relating to Martin McGuinness and his past. The vast majority of the mud-slinging has come from the south of Ireland.

Martin McGuinness says he left the IRA in 1974. Many say he did, many that he didn’t, but most feel that it is irrelevant to the race for Áras an Uachtaráin. There is a single point though that has not been made. Pundits in the south who attack McGuinness are part of a state that has not fulfilled the layout of the Good Friday Agreement, and for that reason, full truths on all sides will never come out. It is worth noting that crimes on the order of Westminster will never come out, but thankfully we have a choice when it comes to the north.

Good Friday was about reconciliation between three parties. The first, between the nationalists and unionists of the north. Secondly, between the Irish and the British. Thirdly, the peoples of the north, and those in the south.

All are ongoing processes, with huge leaps taken – all but the latter. Reconciliation and understanding between north and south has not commenced outside of north-south bodies. The Oireachtas and Stormont have not been able to introduce both peoples to one another.

How can we possibly expect all truth to come out, on all sides, unless the south fulfills its duty?

The southern government needs to engage, and the south in totality needs to engage. This has never happened, for party-political reasons, or the laziness of the majority of Dáil parties. Only when they connect with the northern and London players, will a timeline, process and legal draft for a truth and reconciliation programme be possible. Will Fine Gael bring this landmark step forward? Will Labour, Fianna Fáil or the Greens do this?

In the south, the pain of many in the north is incomprehensible for the simple reason that there is no thought of it. I, as an Irish person from the north, feel somewhat unwanted, uncared for by the southern Irish. Do they really regard me as an Irishman? Most do, but the government certainly doesn’t. Like the undocumented Irish in America and the indigenous aborigine in Australia, I am largely unthought of, in my northern case, by the southern establishment.

The South needs to engage, there is no ‘but’ about it. While unionists here have a head of state, I have no ‘proper’ figurehead. McAleese brought us closer to having one, but we still stand in Phoenix Park gazing at Robinson’s candle, straining to figure out how we can keep it lit.

If people wish to attack McGuinness on his past, they should do so in an understanding and dignified fashion, in the spirit of respectful debate. Those who wish to unleash their sharp tongues though, they should start by telling their government, neighbours and friends to engage with us northerners.

Those who want the truth must do the same. There’s nothing odd about feeling a wee bit left out.

There is little understanding of the conflict here beyond the borders of Monaghan, Armagh, Down, Louth and Leitrim. It’s time to understand, a time to heal, and a time to turn the wheels towards a future of prospects, respect, sisterhood and brotherhood.

The Dáil is compelled to work with the north, and to understand us as we have done them. We are a hurt people, and the spiritual, emotional and historical anguish in many of us, even those like me who witnessed no horrific scene of war first hand, must be recognized. We have more pain and guilt in us than the south can understand, for now.

Let’s work towards understanding, and let’s educate each other and ourselves on ‘the northerners’ and our frustration at the despicable wall of mud held up against Marin McGuinness and my, our, people. Kenny, Gilmore, Martin, and yes, even Adams, you have a lot more to do.

Cupla mí ghnóthach anseo i mBéal Feirste agus amhráin úra á scríobh agam, chomh maith leis an obair: suíomh úr do mo ‘dheirfiúir thár-sáile’ Kathleen Deignan, suíomh idirlín agus dearadh albaim úr don oll-ghrúpa At First Light agus margaíocht úr d’Institiúd Spioradálta Choláiste Í in Nua Eabhrac.

Nuair a scríobhaim amhráin, tá orm dearmad a dhéanamh ar mo shaol féin agus mé féin a chur i gcorp scéala. Focail brónacha a dtig amach i ndúch go minic, an fadhb atá ag scríobhneoirí is dóighe ná go bhfuil deacracht acu dea-scéal a chruthu. Imeachtaí sa tír seo, ins an Phailistín, i mhór-roinn na hAifrice – rudaí a chímid níos minice na aisghar acht ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ agus a leithid, an dea-nuacht.

B’fhéidir gur chóir dúinne dea-scéalta a chruthu, ach b’fhéidir nár chóir de dheasca an mhí-nadúr atá bainte le dul in éadan ár instinn chruthaiteach. Níl na freagraí agamsa! Ar scór ar bith, cupla líne (a n-athraim go minic!).

D’ísligh mé mo ghrá ‘san uaigh ar maidin,
Mo chroí ag réabadh le pian deich céasadh.
An mbeidh Samhradh linn nó bláth ar a h-uaighe?
Ná tréig ár n-aontas i ndeireadh mo laetha

Beir bua!
Robbi x

I just sent an email out to mailing list friends on holding governments to account. There is one song that reminds me of personal accountability. ‘Down To The River To Pray’ by the inspirational Alison Krauss. Be you Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Humanist, Atheist or Agnostic, we are all unfortunately political beings.

In politics though, we are rarely heard. I believe in an independent Palestinian state, and I view the UN voting against it as a crime against humanity. But many have different views. No matter what your view, let’s ask our political representatives, through social media, if they stand by the 1967 borders. They all claim to stand by international law through their press releases and political debates, but use Hamas as an excuse to avoid progressiveness.

Today (no matter what day you read this) is the day we should ask our political representatives to answer with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to those borders and laws. If they don’t say ‘yes -or- no’, they are simply liars and unelectable. If they do say ‘yes -or- no’, despite our own opinions, we will know if they can be truthful. Ask a yes or no question, don’t give them room for manoeuvre .

Sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts and uncles, let’s prove we care for humanity. Let’s ask for an honest answer – YES or NO, all through public social networks and medias. Let’s show our questions, answers and views to the world.

Only by asking, will we receive an answer. And each who asks will receive the stary crown – a true ‘political’ representative. We all deserve accountability…

I hope you’re all well and good. I haven’t been in touch since April!

Almost two years late and my website is finally online! I’ve been so busy with work and writing that I’ve neglected to update it in a very long time. I’m sure regular visitors in the past are tired of seeing a seldom updated holding page! I promise to be in touch much more from now on. Really, I’m not just saying that!

Content is still being added, including an exciting new ‘Words’ archive, which will include most songs I know, and translations to Gaelic songs. I’ve set myself a goal of 20 songs per week over the next month or two. After that I’ll gradually add songs as I learn them. It’ll be a great resource for me, and hopefully for you!

There is also a new ‘Friends’ section that I’ll be updating as much as possible in order to share links to the websites of friends, great organisations and resources. The ‘Music’ page isn’t live yet, I’m still deliberating whether putting my last three projects up would be of any help (those projects were deleted from the Roboplegic imprint a few years ago), but I’ve two or three tracks from a tour I guested on in October/November to share! (Courtesy of goddess Kathleen Deignan, CND)!

I hope you enjoy browsing through and get in touch very soon with any ideas. Míle buíochas, lots of love, and more news to come soon… seriously!

Robbi x

As part of Ireland’s National Music Day, Robbi will be performing two concerts with Riverdance and Anúna singer and harper Fionnuala Gill.

love:live music, Ireland’s National Music Day is an annual celebration of all forms of music in Ireland through free nationwide music events and aims to promote access to live music for all regardless of location or circumstance and to encourage active participation in music events.

See below dates for further information. Any queries about National Music Day can be found on their website.

Fionnuala Gill with Robbi McMillen  

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Here are some thoughts I had written down from my time in the US. It has been amazing to tour with Kathleen, Ann (fellow Katherine Lynch fan), Fionnuala and the many musicians I had the opportunity to meet. A huge thank you to those behind the scenes, lovely Monica, Ann (Dublin lass), Joe Madonna who took away the fear of getting up on stage.

6 November 2010: I’m very afraid. It’s the last evening concert tonight. It has been such a great journey. I had lunch with Kathleen, a true sister of mine. Kind of made me feel like staying in ‘the states’, but Ireland is only a few days away.

I never thought that I would be able to stand on stage and sing ‘Gaoth Barra na dTonn’ or ‘Caoineadh na dTrí Mhuire’ without being overcome with fear. In America though, the language, history and culture is so much more appreciated than at home, especially if you’re singing the raw stuff – the heart-breakers and joy-makers. I wasn’t expecting that. Maybe if us Irish musicians made fellow-musicians more welcome into our lives, experiences and work, we’d have a much more encouraging performing community…?

At Iona, I walked up to the mic, took a deep breath and started.. ‘Tá gealach na…’, and oddly, it seemed to flow. I could really connect with the song in a way that I had only previously done when alone, without company. Verse two came and went, and come verse three I felt like I wasn’t in my own body. I felt confident, but meek. In large company, but in solitude.

Experiences like those rarely happen. Every time I go up on stage from now on, I will remember the appreciation that listeners voiced, and my appreciation of their eagerness and care. From the woman who mixed me honey and hot lemon juice for my sore throat while at The Benedictine Grange, to Sr. Kathleen Masterson bringing me across the road to print setlists for a concert, each and every person has made this tour so worthwhile, so inspiring and so hopeful.

I should probably leave this empty room in New York Open Center now and walk across the hall to the concert room. Wish me luck! Robbi xx

‘A Celebration of Celtic Soul’ tour dates featuring Fionnuala Gill, Kathleen Deignan and guests including Robbi McMillen, Ann Deignan and Jerry O’Sullivan have been announced. Ticket and programme information can be found on the gigs section of this website, or below.

The first concert will be a celebration of the ancient Irish pagan festival of ‘Samhain’, the rest a feast of songs from the Irish, Scottish and Gaelic-American traditions. For blogs on each concert, please subscribe to Robbi’s mailing list at the top of each page.

Robbi McMillen  

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The tour begins in New Rochelle, New York on October 30th and ends in Fairfield, Connecticut November 7th with a lots of time for fun before, after and in between! I’ll keep you posted on updates…

Robbi x

I hope you all enjoy Christmas (or the holidays, depending!). Obviously it’s a hard time for a lot of people, so don’t forget a wee thought for them – there’s an amazing album called Wells for Zoë which you could buy for yourself, and it will really benefit others! As one man said “this life is hard, and this life is odd”, and he’s oh so right. Take a week or two to relax and forget about the worries of life. Don’t get too drunk! I’m off for some mince pies to nibble (scoff!) on…

Happy new year too! See y’all in 2010.
Grá agus beannacht,
Rob

Eddie Keenan died at his home yesterday afternoon in Twinbrook, West Belfast. He was a well-known seanchaí (story teller), singer and historian of the conflict in Ireland’s north eastern counties. By his friends, extended family and acquaintances, Eddie will be sadly missed.

Eddie was a man I had spent many hours with over the years, discussing history and politics, and indeed discussing the lives of my late grandfather Bob McMillen and late great-uncle Liam. Eddie was a true Irishman, a true rebel with an exceptional moral compass. Eddie Keenan’s wife, Mary died in October. Many countless hours I have spent with them at céilí’s in An Chultúrlann on Falls Road or at special events at Cumann Chluain Árd in Hawthorn Street, discussing history prior to my birth.

His daughter, Máire, I have known since I was two years old. She was my dinner lady in primary school, educator during that same period and one of the strongest women I have ever met. I was also related to Eddie’s wife Mary, and to Eddie through her. I suppose we have to keep in mind that people pass on in the end… but that they will be sadly missed. Eddie and Mary are priceless gems to this day, and will never cease to be.

My father told me just a few minutes ago of how, when he was seven years old, he first visited his dad, my grandfather, in prison in Crumlin Road Gaol. He got out early from school. His teacher would ask, “Why is your daddy in prison?”. He would simply reply, “Because he’s an Irishman miss,” and then he’d meet my grandmother Ena, my uncle Terry and auntie Maura, to go to the prison to visit my grandfather – four years later, my father and his siblings managed to come out of the situation strong people. Eddie was imprisoned illegally, as where many others, by Westminster, dominated by the Tories for much of this time, and Labour didn’t help much. ‘Internment without trial’, they called it. But those locked away came out with the Irish language, a priceless thread that binds so much soul together.

It was Eddie’s words that inspired the song ‘Banba’s Enemy’, which I recorded in 2004. Each time I as much as think about that song I will be reminded of that great man – the great seanchaí and singer, Eddie Keenan.

Thuas An Sciobairín!

Robert Óg Mac Maoláin