Lenihan welcomed to Béal na Bláth

THE decision to invite Finance Minister Brian Lenihan to address the annual commemoration of Michael Collins’ death at Béal na Bláth stirred some controversy, with Young Fine Gael opting to boycott the event.
However, the invitation of the most popular Fianna Fáil politician of the hour was welcomed in many quarters, with the view being voiced that it’s time for Civil War differences to be set aside.
Clare TD Pat Breen was among the crowd at Béal na Bláth and he said that the Finance Minister, who is battling cancer, had been made welcome.
“Brian Lenihan received a very warm welcome from the crowd, which included a large number of Fine Gael members from Clare and several Fianna Fáil supporters from the county. One of Michael Collins’ life principles was fortitude in the face of adversity and there is an acknowledgement among the general public of how Brian Lenihan is dealing with his illness with such dignity and courage.”
He said that former Clare TD Síle De Valera had been asked to address the event some time ago, so it wasn’t the first time an invitation had been extended to a Fianna Fáil member.
Deputy Breen said that Lenihan had been asked to come to Béal na Bláth for good reasons.
“As Helen Collins, (Michael Collins’ grandniece) has said on a number of occasions, the Collins family have always worked in every way for reconciliation and inclusivity.
“Fine Gael members and supporters have a strong devotion and loyalty to Michael Collins and quite rightly so and, while I do not expect to see a Fine Gael speaker invited to deliver the oration at Bodenstown in the near future, I believe that Brian Lenihan was invited to deliver the oration by the Collins family in a spirit of reconciliation, particularly given the peace process and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
“Another reason of course was because his grandfather Paddy Lenihan, who was a Clareman, fought on the pro-Treaty side and was a big supporter of Michael Collins. Also, both men served as Finance Minister at very difficult times,” Deputy Breen concluded.
The decision to invite Lenihan was also welcomed by Clare TD Timmy Dooley. “Historically it has been a Fine Gael event and the fact that the invitation was first of all made and then accepted shows that society and the political scene has matured.”
He said that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should recognise the contributions made by people other than their own icons. “It’s right that we should share history and recognise each other’s senior figures and heroes.”
In recent days certain commentators have been critical of Collins, but Deputy Dooley said that their motivation needs to be looked at.
“Some people seek to rewrite history as a way to further their own interests and there have been efforts by film makers and authors to do that.”
He also said that changing political and social contexts must be borne in mind. “It’s often very difficult to impose today’s standards and thinking on events that took place a long time ago.”