Obituary: Eoghan O’Néill – Blesslington, Co. Wicklow

From The 1916 Societies an obituary for Wicklow republican Eoghan O’Néill.



Eoghan O’Néill

It is with absolute sadness, devastation and shock that I mention the untimely passing of our dear friend and comrade, Eoghan O’Néill (59), of Blessington, Co. Wicklow, who sadly died last Thursday 16th March, we pass on our deepest sympathy to his family.

Eoghan was a leading light in the ever emerging Peadar O’Donnell Republican Socialist Forum, a key force in bringing together an alliance of various organisations from across the island of Ireland. Eoghan advocated for new and alternative ways of educating political activists. It is through the forum Eoghan that became acquainted with members of the 1916 Societies, his methodology has become an integral part of the Societies education program.

Eoghan was a highly valued member of the CPI, for whom he worked tirelessly.

In a statement from the CPI said Eoghan, “had given a lot—and had much more to give—to the cause of the Irish working class.”

Eoghan was an art tutor and an accomplished artist and sculptor as well as a working-class political thinker and educator. He had recently completed the pamphlet Trading Away Democracy: How TTIP and Other Trade Agreements Will Destroy People’s Rights. He made a major contribution to developing an important paper on a “transformative strategy” for socialism and had also just finished a fine piece of research on the housing crisis, entitled “The Right to a Secure Home.” He was also preparing an exhibition to mark the hundredth anniversary of the Russian Revolution. A true working-class leader and educator.

As one commentator put it:

In such a short period he had a profound impact on my political thinking. He was an Inspiration, Our struggle has suffered an immeasurable loss.

To simply think about the people, as the dominators do, without any self-giving in that thought, to fail to think with the people, is a sure way to cease being revolutionary leaders
― Paulo Freire



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