Patrick Loughran 1916 Society - Cookstown

11/05/2026

17/04/2026

The 1916 Societies in Béal Feirste are organising across the city, and we are asking you to play your part in building unity within our communities through Republican activism and community engagement, in the tradition of Wolfe Tone, James Connolly, and Winifred Carney.

“Ní neart go cur le chéile” - there is no strength without unity.

The 1916 Societies are an Irish separatist movement founded in 2009, and our organisation continues to grow throughout Ireland.

WE BELIEVE

Constitutional authority resides with the Irish people alone.

The British Government veto on Irish unity is without legitimacy.

Dáil Éireann should be restored as the national parliament of an all-Ireland Republic.

We contend that the will of the people is for real change in this country for a National Republic in line with our democratic rights.

Through our “One Ireland, One Vote” initiative, we demand a single-constituency, all-Ireland referendum on Irish unity.

Our strategy is to reach the masses to get feet on the streets for real change both North and South bringing people together through events and rallies.

These gatherings aim to educate, build awareness, and remind people that Ireland’s future belongs to the Irish people.

Together, we can organise, strengthen our communities, and build towards a free and united Ireland for future generations.

Join today.

Send our page a message or email us, or learn more at

https://www.1916societies.ie/

Tiocfaidh ár lá. 🇮🇪

31/01/2026

No.110 in our series on forgotten Revolutionary Irishwomen
Brigid Ryan (née Brophy)
Cumann na mBan, Carlow Brigade.

Brigid Ryan (née Brophy) was a fearless Irish republican woman whose life was devoted to the cause of national freedom. Born in Ardattin, Tullow, Co. Carlow, she inherited a proud revolutionary tradition. Her family’s sacrifice in 1798, when three great-grand-uncles were murdered by Crown forces and buried in the Croppies’ Hole, was not forgotten. That history lived on in her, shaping a spirit that would not bend to empire, coercion, or compromise.
From the founding of Cumann na mBan in Carlow in 1917, Brigid stood to the fore. As 1st Lieutenant of the Carlow Town Branch and later Officer Commanding of the Carlow Brigade, she helped forge a disciplined, determined women’s organisation that stood shoulder to shoulder with the I.R.A. By the Truce, Cumann na mBan in Carlow had grown into a powerful force, rooted in almost every parish, bound together by republican purpose and solidarity.
Her home and café became centres of resistance, meeting places for Volunteer officers, depots for arms and ammunition, and safe houses for dispatches and intelligence. She carried weapons to ambush parties, concealed arms after attacks, raised funds for the Dáil Loan and ensured that prisoners and their families were never forgotten. Constantly raided, threatened with death, and marked by the enemy, she never wavered.
During the Civil War, Brigid Ryan remained true to the Republic proclaimed in 1916 and ratified by the First Dáil. She supported active service units, procured arms, organised funerals for fallen comrades, endured arrest, imprisonment and hunger strike. Even when her home was wrecked and looted, her resolve was unbroken.
Brigid Ryan’s witness statement stands as a testament to the uncompromising courage of republican women. Her life was lived in service to Ireland’s right to full independence, and her name deserves honour among those who held the Republic alive in its darkest hours.

13/12/2025

08/11/2025

Exposing ‘Stakeknife’

Join us for an evening with Séamus Kearney as he shares a hard-hitting account of his pursuit to uncover the truth behind the ex*****on of his brother, Michael Kearney, and the complex network that surrounded the treacherous figure known as ‘Stakeknife’.

🗓 Date: Friday 21st of November
⏰ Time: 7.30pm
📍 Location: The Scoring End bar, 33-35 Main St, Maghera, BT46 5AA
🎙 Hosted by: Patrick Loughran 1916 Society - Cookstown, Sean Larkin 1916 Society South Derry & Thomas Ashe 1916 Society Dūngiven

This event will dig deep into the depths of state sponsored murder and corruption, offering unique insights into the dual roles played by key figures at the time. Kearney’s story is one of determination, as he navigates through layers of secrecy to seek the truth and uncover ‘Stakeknife’

✨ What to Expect:

* An in-depth look at the counter-insurgency war and the murky role of ‘Stakeknife’.

* A personal and moving narrative of brotherhood and betrayal, vividly brought to life through Kearney’s experiences, as chronicled in his book, “No Greater Love.”

* Insights into Kearney’s journey from a young volunteer to an IRA staff officer and his harrowing time on the blanket protest in the H-Blocks, and his firsthand account of the 1981 hunger strike.

* An open Q&A session where Séamus will discuss the broader themes of the war.

We look forward to hosting an event that promises to challenge perceptions and reveal the extreme measures the British state and their agents were prepared to take to infiltrate, disrupt, and destroy the IRA. Exposing how they turned a blind eye to torture and murder to protect the identity of Stakeknife.

Kearney’s book “No Greater Love” serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression and is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the epic struggle of the Blanket Protest and Hunger Strike of 1981. Signed copies will be available on the evening.

📣 Spread the Word:

31/10/2025

🇮🇪Join Your Local 1916 Society🇮🇪

How do I join?
Contact our page or any of our members privately and we will go through the process with you🇮🇪

31/10/2025

In memory of our dear comrade Paul Kelly, Liam Mellows 1916 Society - An Port Mór are running our annual Ryandale Rebel Takeover night in the Ryandale Inn, Moy, on Friday, 7th November.
To mark his anniversary, Spirit of Freedom will be performing on the night and doors open from 8.30pm onwards. Contact any 1916 Societies member for tickets or pay on the door that evening.
A portion of the proceeds from our ticket sales will also be donated to Palestine Aid Ireland - a cause close to Paul’s heart. 🇮🇪💚🇵🇸

29/07/2025

We are proud to be holding a commemoration for Vol. Jim McAleer on his 25th anniversary. Everyone is welcome to this, especially all his former Republican friends, who knew Jim and valued his friendship. Help us remember another true son of Ireland.