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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

1 & 2. Atocha Massacre Monument

3. Harry in full flow - Tom, Gerry, Marie, Marty & Joe - all spellbound!

4 & 5. In AABI office - presentation of George Brown Plaque. I'll find out secretary's name from Harry.

6 & 7. Scars of battle - Faculty buildings in University City.

8. Monument to International Brigade Volunteers on University City Campus.

11. Displaying the flag of the Spanish Republic outside the municipal building in Villanueva de la Cañada - Joined by Amanda and Aidan

12. Municipal Building

13.Plaza Maior in the centre of old Madrid.

Visit to Madrid &

Villanueva de la Cañada

 3 – 6 April 2019 by the

Inistioge George Brown

Memorial Committee

 

Members and friends of the Inistioge George Brown Memorial Committee on a recent visit to Spain went on a tour of areas of Madrid closely associated with the Spanish Civil War (1936-9) and the town of Villanueva de la Cañada where Inistioge-born George Brown was killed during the course of the Battle of Brunete on 7 July 1937. Harry Owens, Spanish Civil War historian, led the group on the tour of Madrid, the highlight of which was the visit to the campus of the University City of Madrid where some of the fiercest fighting between the Republican Forces of the Government of Spain and Nationalists under Franco took place. One is forcibly reminded of the intensity of this particular battle by the bullet and grenade-scarred exterior walls of many of the university faculty buildings. Nor is the sacrifice of the international Brigadistas forgotten. Fittingly, a monument to their commitment to the Second Spanish Republic, unveiled in October 2011, is prominently displayed on the campus.

 

In city-centre Madrid the group visited the monument to the Atocha massacre, occurring in 1977 during the Spanish transition to democracy, when five left-wing activists were killed in a neo-fascist terrorist attack on a trade union office on Atocha Street. On Gran Via the Telefónica building  got the most attention. Construction started in 1926, and until 1940 it was the tallest sky-scraper in Europe. It figures in all accounts of the Battle for Madrid as it was used as an observation post by Republican forces and consequently was the target of regular bombing attacks. It was also the Office of the Foreign Press, with Ernest Hemingway sending his regular newspaper reports from here.

 

This part of the trip also included a visit to the head-quarters of the Friends of the International Brigades (Asociación de Amigos de las Brigadas Internacionales) where the members presented a plaque to the AABI Secretary commemorating the sacrifice of George Brown and highlighting his Inistioge roots.

 

The most poignant and moving element of the trip was the visit to Villanueva de la Cañada, a town less than  an hour’s drive north-west of Madrid. In this area the Battle of Brunete was fought in July 1937, and on the journey the group had the opportunity to appreciate the rolling hilly terrain of the area where Republican and Nationalist forces engaged in one of the major conflicts of the war. George Brown was killed on the second day of the battle while lying wounded by the roadside. A photograph of the group outside the municipal offices in the town, not far from where George Brown died, provided a treasured memento of the visit.

17th Annual George Brown Memorial Event 2024.

Celebrating Resilience and Solidarity.

 

Inistioge, June 2024 – Despite the rain, the 17th Annual Inistioge George Brown Memorial Event was a remarkable success, drawing attendees to honour the legacy of George Brown and reflect on current global issues.

 

Special guest, Palestinian Ambassador H.E. Dr. Jilan Abdalmajid, planted a Cedar of Lebanon in Woodstock Gardens on Friday evening, continuing the tradition of commemorative tree planting. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the George Brown Memorial Plaque in St. Colmcille Graveyard with Cllr Sean Ó hArgáin.

 

Dr. Abdalmajid delivered a heartfelt address at St. Mary's Church of Ireland, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank. She expressed profound gratitude to the Irish people and government for their ongoing support and recent recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing how these actions inspire hope among Palestinians.

 

Cllr Ó hArgáin and former Senator Mick Lanigan also addressed the assembly. Lanigan, founder of Friends of Palestine in the Oireachtas and recipient of the Order of Bethlehem, spoke passionately about justice for Palestinians.

 

The most poignant moment came from Maram Salah, a young woman from Gaza, now a Masters's student at SETU (Carlow Campus), who shared her harrowing experiences and the ongoing struggles of her family back home. 

 

Following a standing ovation for Dr. Abdalmajid, Amanda Richards presented her with a bouquet adorned with Palestinian colours. Former UNITE leader Jimmy Kelly gifted her a copy of his autobiography, "At the end of the day."

 

Saturday's outdoor events were moved indoors due to rain, but the spirit of the event remained undiminished. Attendees gathered at the Conservatory Tearoom in Woodstock to hear Spanish Civil War historian Harry Owens discuss the historical parallels and current issues. He urged support for both Palestinians, and Israelis opposing the Netanyahu administration, and highlighted the contributions of the Irish Jewish community to civic and political society here.

 

A tribute was paid to the late Nuala Prendergast, a dedicated local SIPTU trade union activist, commemorating her significant involvement in the event over the years.

 

The event concluded with a wreath-laying at the Olive Grove in Woodstock's Walled Garden by former UNITE official Sean Kelly, honouring the Kilkenny men of the International Brigades. A lively music session by local duo Michael and Eamon Holden at the Woodstock Arms capped off the memorable weekend.

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