I still remember the morning I heard Martin McGuinness had passed away. It came as a shock, and I do mean a complete shock, to the point I literally had to sit down. I didn’t even know Martin was ill. I’d never got the ‘I think you should sit down’ thing until that day, thinking it was just a way to signal the coming of bad news. Martin was a hero for me, I’d met him a few times, and having transitioned from freedom fighter to politician and indeed diplomat he was what I wanted our politicians to be. I wanted them to love Ireland and work for all our people, not just one side and Martin was that person, he was human, a family man, warm-hearted yet he didn’t ever let go of his nationalism and republicanism…and he was a fierce republican, berating those who dared to challenge our fragile peace with gun and bomb and defending it with everything he was.
I noticed early on how everywhere he went people warmed to him, even the British, and was proud of the fact he and the late Ian Paisley became friends. It was pride not shared by everyone but in my eyes, their friendship was a glimmer of hope for this wee country of ours after a decade and more of conflict. Both men were brave enough to look over the fence into their neighbour’s yard and say the first words of friendship to their enemy and that was good enough for me for a start. They showed that one could still be who they are while being friends with someone of a different political disposition. It was ultimately Martin’s and Ian’s friendship which led to Ian paisley’s removal as First Minister and Leader of the DUP. Can’t be getting too pally with the Taigs.
You see, Martin was born into a state that didn’t want him, nor did they want a Catholic about the place. It was a state born of sectarian and political hatred with a fake democracy gerrymandered by a population of Unionist bigots. Martin was always outspoken about issues, not always constitutional but was always willing to speak his mind and articulate what his point was, and for Catholics and nationalists, talking had no effect. Martin grew into an Ireland where freedom fighters were labeled as terrorists and terrorists labeled freedom fighters, even by the Irish government. Martin talked until he realised talking made no difference then fought until it did. The man became a giant in politics around the world, his name spoken in the biggest political powerhouses and admired by peacebuilders the world over. He led a divided country and negotiated peace with those he once viewed as enemies and while he had moved on from that mindset, others hadn’t.
Martin is missed today more than he ever has been. I personally still think of him, often with a smile, and remember with fondness the freedom fighter from Derry who fought for a free Ireland, who became the leader of the North of Ireland, who became a peacebuilder. My thoughts go out to his wife Bernie, his daughters Fionnuala and Grainne, and his sons Fiachra and Emmet and the extended family.
Our Chieftain, Martin McGuinness.
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