Guestbook

Big Joe McCann a soldier of the people .badly missed now

Honour to be named after you Joe. You’re name will live on in history.

Gone but not forgotten, courage will live on, least we forget

May God bless you and keep you mo chara, and God bless your family.

My brother Brian mchugh was a friend of Joe’s. He and Joe spent many a time in our house 11 Catherine St in the markets

My particular McCann branch has been in the US since before 1776 — somehow Joe and I have a strong facial similarity. Also a strong social/political similarity. Thanks for the web page and the chance to put my name in.

I can remember when I was young I heard that they were going to shoot Joe; it was common knowledge and sure enough he was shot on sight.

Good news that the murderers of Joe McCann are finally being held accountable for their cowardly deed.

This is a good news day. Hope his murderers face justice

I remember my parents telling me about Joe visiting our house in Newington off the Antrim Road when I was very young, and Joe commented that I would grow up to be a very good person. That meant a lot.

Glory days! Former prisoner.

I remember Joe when I was a boy in the Falls at my Granny Rosie (nee Maguire) Hughes house in Jude St in the 1960’s. Joe would come around from Baker St with his Grandad Dennis Maguire, my Grannies brother, and visit. Joe was always smiling and joking and even then had a presence when he walked into the room. His Grandad Dennis Maguire was a former Commander in the IRA and again had that Maguire presence. Not many people know Dennis’ other grandson and Joe’s 1st cousin was another Belfast Hero, World Champion Boxer Johnny Caldwell! My Mum Bridget (Joe’s deceased Mum’s cousin) passed away in March 2015, and she gave me old photos of Joe before she died, which my family treasured. We are so proud to be related to the Brave Joe McCann. RIP cousin!

Tipperary remembers a true Irish hero murdered by cowards. R.I.P Joe

A true son of Ireland and an inspiration to all that follow. RIP JOE.

Loving the new site.x

A true son of Ireland

A brave and principled Revolutionary, an inspiration for all who follow in your footsteps. R.I.P. Joe

R.i.p Joe never forgotten

R.I.P what a brave man

Big Joe is a real working-class hero and was a very sad loss to his cause. Very few have touched me over the years the way your story has. RIP Joe

Sounds like a brave and proud man. Many should follow his enthusiasm for what is right! I live in England but support the Irish all the way!

I was not aware of the arrangements for the 40th Anniversary of Joe’s killing and sadly missed it, but I met Fergal today here in Galway. He kindly gave me his badge, which he was wearing himself, and I was really touched by this lovely gesture. Go raibh míle maith agat, a cara

Hi just to let you know my mummy passed away on the 26th of April. My mummy was Joe’s best friend; her name was Betty Corrigan.

The trials of the Irish people over so long make me sad indeed! I am here in Australia because my great-great-grandmother fled abuse by the British. Fight on!

Hi Ferg, I like the new site, great job.

Another great McCann for the record books. RIP.

As we sold out the first 50 badges within a week (which are a magnificent design), we have ordered 100 more from Feargal. The demand from Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and U.S.A has been phenomenal as the memory of Joe McCann, Staff Captain, Official IRA, lives on in the hearts of many people, as it does in mine. I remain proud to have known him. Badges can be ordered from me, Brian Lynch, at the Turf Lodge Social Club and Jim Quinn at the Lower Falls Social Club and other outlets (Feargal has posted details elsewhere on this site). See you all at the Anniversary Ceremony on the 15th of April.

RIP Joe.

Any photos of the commemoration? My da did the color party at it, and I never managed to get there.

Found your website on the net and saw the photo of your Da and loved it. Got to say he had more hair and was better looking than us put together! Lost your number once again but will catch up again one day when back over. Hope the family is doing well, mate. Many blessings to you all! Sam xxx

Will the details of the planned commemorative event for Joe’s 40th anniversary be put up on the site at some point? I think it’s due to take place on Saturday 14th or Sunday 15th of April this year.

I am a big admirer of Joe McCann, and I loved everything he had done for the Irish people. I will always look up to Big Joe because he is my true hero of Ireland. RIP Joe, I will never forget about you.

Lived beside Joe growing up in Baker St. Glad to see there is a site in his honor. I am looking for items to buy with Joe on them. Anyone with info, please post.

Well done on the site, cous. Looking well. R.I.P Uncle Joe! X

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Congratulations on establishing a fine tribute to Joe. I’m proud to have written some music in his memory in June 1972 and only now to have made contact with his family after 38 years, though the efforts of Feargal. The only other such memorial piece I have written was in fact for ‘Che’ Guevara in 1969, and it is splendid that he is also marked on this site. Joe and Che are two pillars always linked in my mind from that period.

Good to see the tribute to Che.. second to none was Che..second to none.

Just happen to be listening to Joe McCann performed by The Davitts and stumbled upon this site. Great Man Joe McCann… if only Eire had more like him.

Nuala, Well done on all your hard work so far, keep it going your dad will be proud. Great site!!

Would it be possible to post Cathal Goulding’s oration at Joe McCann’s funeral?

Great site, and I can’t wait for a biography to be written about Joe.

Great to see Joe being remembered as what he was, a great man and powerful leader at such a young age. I have fond memories of Joe, like the time on the Glen Road when my friends snickered at the sight of a Monk in all his garb strolling by on the opposite side. This kid was bursting to put them right but kept his lip buttoned. I can’t believe it’s nearly 40 years. I can still see the barricade city bus-style at the bottom of Norfolk, hear the gun battles, as if it were yesterday, and I can’t believe at 48 I’m twice the age of that big gentleman I used to look up to. Keep up the good work.

In life, we all look for inspiration to stand up and be the best we can in life, holding to our honor. Looking for something or someone that makes us fight for what’s right in our hearts. I see that Joe did this, and I hope I too make him proud as he has made me proud to be named JOE MCCANN.

Nuala & Feargal, I envy your courage and I ask that God will strengthen you all the way. I will keep up with you too. Love, Uche

I don’t know how to contact you. Pastryman

What happened to your dad was wrong – wrong then, wrong now. I wish I had the privilege to meet him. From what I know, he was an exceptional young man. Even though we were on opposing sides, I can envisage a man of character, integrity to his cause, and outstanding courage.

Great to see a site for Joe. My dad knew Joe as my dad was from the Short Strand. He told me a couple of things about Joe. A nice site for a great man. PS, I think the picture of Joe at Inglis Bakery with his M1 and his starry plough is one of the most iconic pictures to come out of Ireland’s fight.

Sorry for my spelling mistakes. It was meant to say my dad was from the Short Strand.

I was a good friend of Joe’s Brother-in-Law Anthony Dornan and often visited him and Colette when they lived in Cork. I would also know Denis, Pat, and Bru.

Congratulations on the production of the website. Joe McCann remains an inspiration to all socialist republicans and freedom-loving people everywhere.

Joe was a personal friend of my family, and I remember him years ago when I was young. The big bright smile he had!!

Excellent website! I wish you the best with your project, mo chairde. “We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times.” James Connolly, from The Workers Republic, December 4th, 1915.

My late father, Martin Meehan, held Oglach Joe McCann in the highest esteem.

One person can make a difference: Che