Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein is the oldest political movement in Ireland. It takes its name from the Irish Gaelic expression for ``We Ourselves. Since being founded in 1905, Irish Republicans have worked for the right of Irish people as a whole to attain national self-determination. The movement founded almost 100 years ago by Arthur Griffith evolved into a number of organizations which carried the name.

Provisional Sinn Fein

The party once led by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, now by Mary Lou McDonald, is the largest of the modern parties which emerged from Sinn Féin. It says it seeks the establishment of a new Ireland based on sustainable social and economic development; genuine democracy, participation, equality and justice at all levels of the economy and society; and a lasting and meaningful peace with unity of purpose and action. Specifically, it says:

Sinn Féin is an Irish Republican party. Its objective is to end British rule in Ireland. It seeks national self-determination, the unity and independence of Ireland as a sovereign state.

``Everyone, Republican or otherwise has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something. 'Bobby Sands (1954-1981), on hunger strike in 1981