Jim Ward

Others remain scared by the horror of the conflict, by what was done to them and indeed what they did to others. That also is the legacy of our conflict

are Trade Union activists, trying to follow in the footsteps of James Connolly and Winifred Carney.

Others lead quiet contented lives simply dedicated to their families. Others remain scared by the horror of the conflict, by what was done to them and indeed what they did to others. That also is the legacy of our conflict.

However, it is wonderful to see so many former prisoners write and publish literature. Too many to actually name here. Isn’t that something?

Poets, historians, journalists, playwrights, film makers, actors, bloggers, seanachaíthe, ‘sleggers’, (a prison term for slagging), some of the world’s best ‘sleggers’ actually. Olympian sleggers!

I’m still on a journey that began in a quiet H-Block cell. Planning my next novel which will be set in occupied Palestine.

What an incredible journey. One that began with one young, terrified, but extremely brave prisoner, Kieran Nugent. Followed by years of gruelling protest and ten incredibly courageous hunger strikers. A truly inspiring journey that turned a hell hole into a university of freedom. •

Most people connected with An Phoblacht over the years have an experience of selling the paper, what we used to call ‘over the arm’ sales. It might have been on a trek of local pubs, at meetings or marches, in rain and sunshine. And though An Phoblacht is now mostly sold through subscriptions or accessible online, Jim Ward’s poem captures a sense of that experience of how republican papers were sold for decades.

Selling the Paper

BY JIM WARD

Attention-like standing, sellers exposed banner and headline chest out, like an extra vest Outside Dublin’s GPO, Woolworth’s, Galway, and along the Falls. Or in chosen drinking spots, where owners turned eyes blind for a second, As hands rifled pockets for some change. Eyes down, the walkthrough-path parting, like the

Dead Sea. Faces, pained, as if carrying the weight of history’s injustice, Passed on for generations from family hearths: Earnest men and women, as rare as scruples are in Dublin commerce. Calling out ‘An Phoblacht – Republican News!’ If France’s hour had Camus’s Combat, Then ours had: Mac Thomáis, Morrison, Timothy, O’Hare, Mac Donncha & more; Editors playing their part, ‘no matter how small’, Crafting it weekly in as lár an chogaidh, igcuimhne…, A glimpse of truth in the war of lies: That was, still is, ‘The Paper’…our paper…’An

Phoblacht’. Abú. • © JIM WARD, 2022