Seán Kelly MEP calls for National “Daniel O’Connell Memorial Day

Ireland South MEP says state should honour O’Connell -The Great Liberator.

Seán Kelly MEP is endorsing a call for a National “Daniel O’Connell Memorial Day” – by (Cork) Irish History Professor – John A Murphy, Emeritus Professor at University College Cork – who was the key speaker at the recent Daniel O’Connell summer school in Cahersiveen.

Sean was attending the summer school to listen to Professor Murphy’s lecture tribute to O’Connell. Commenting afterwards on the inspiring Corkman’s speech, Sean Kelly MEP said:  “John A – mighty man, altogether, an absolute genius – great to have a Corkman come to Kerry to tell us how great a Kerryman was.”

Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly, also commented: “I believe that more should be done to honour O’Connell on the national stage, as there is currently only a very minor memorial to Daniel O’Connell in Leinster House, the seat of democracy in Ireland. This is an injustice to the man’s legacy, when you consider this Great Liberator’s incredible contribution to the development of Western Democracy, including; the Catholic Relief Act which ultimately led to the Great Reform Act of 1832 and started the slow march towards universal suffrage.

Apart from the £20 note, O’Connell has never been truly honoured at a national level, with the legacy being kept alive by local authorities naming “O’Connell Streets” all over the country. It is therefore time for the State to honour O’Connell’s deserved place in Irish history with an official “Daniel O’Connell -Liberator’s Day”.