The part which American friendship played in helping us to win

Ah, listen closely, young ones, for a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and freedom is to be told, one that echoes through the very heart of the land. It is a tale as old as time itself—the tale of how we, the proud and determined people of Ireland, came to stand on the shores of liberty, with our heads held high and our hearts beating with the sweet rhythm of independence. But the path to this freedom was not ours alone to tread. No, it was through the selfless friendship of distant shores that we found the strength to rise.

The words of Eamon de Valera, that noble statesman, resonate with deep wisdom, for he knew well the struggle that forged our nation's destiny. "The part which American friendship played in helping us to win the freedom we enjoy in this part of Ireland has been gratefully recognized and acknowledged by our people." These words are not simply a testament to gratitude but a call to remember the sacred bond that once bridged two distant lands, brought together not by blood, but by a shared dream of liberty. America, though an ocean away, became the beacon of hope for our struggle, a light shining across the vast sea to guide us when darkness threatened to swallow us whole.

Let me tell you a tale, then, of a time when the winds of war howled across the land, when we were but a shadow under the heel of foreign rule. It was the early 20th century, a time of great strife for the Irish people, who, for centuries, had suffered under the oppression of the British crown. Yet, amid this despair, hope stirred. From across the ocean, in America, a land that was born of rebellion and freedom, the cries of the Irish found a willing ear. Irish-Americans, whose hearts still beat with the blood of their forefathers, understood the plight of their brothers and sisters across the seas. They reached out to us with funds, resources, and, most importantly, moral support. This was not mere charity—it was the act of a friend who understood the value of freedom, for America itself had fought for its own independence from the British empire.

The Irish War of Independence was not won by the bravery of our own alone. The men and women who fought in the trenches, who marched in the face of bullets and iron, were bolstered by the knowledge that their kin in America were not merely watching from afar but were actively fighting in their own way. America provided us with more than just material aid—it was their spirit of freedom, their belief that a people, when united by a cause just and true, could overthrow tyranny, that inspired us to continue the struggle. A famous moment that echoes this spirit was the assistance provided by John Devoy, an Irish-American who, through the Fenian dynamite campaign and his influence with prominent American politicians, played a key role in arming and training Irish revolutionaries. His deeds were not written into the history books of the victors, yet they are etched deeply in the hearts of the Irish.

And so, it was that the seeds of freedom planted by American hands grew into a mighty oak that sheltered the Irish people from the storm of tyranny. Their commitment, their sacrifice, their unyielding belief in our cause, was the wind that helped our sails catch the breeze and carry us to victory. In truth, the American contribution was not simply political—it was personal. It was the fathers, mothers, and children of America who, through their hard-earned coins, sent what little they could spare to help fund the fight for Ireland’s freedom. It was their letters of encouragement, sent across the waters, that lifted the spirits of the weary, that stoked the fire of resolve in those who had begun to doubt.

In those dark days, when the British Empire seemed like an insurmountable mountain, America's friendship was the hand that pulled us up from the precipice. It was a reminder that we were not alone, that there were kindred spirits across the ocean who stood with us, shoulder to shoulder. As de Valera said, this gratitude was not a mere courtesy, but a deep and unbreakable bond, one that formed the foundation of the Irish-American alliance that persists to this very day.

Now, the lesson here, my young ones, is not just about recognizing the gifts given to us by America, nor about the friendship between nations. It is a call to understand the power of unity in the face of adversity. When we stand together, when we come to each other's aid, there is no force—no tyranny—that can break us. And so, we must not forget that our own struggles are often shared by others. Look to those who may be weaker, to those who may be suffering, and ask yourself: What can I offer to help my brothers and sisters? Perhaps it is a kind word, a helping hand, or the simple act of listening.

The story of Ireland’s fight for freedom, with America's friendship lighting the way, is a story not only of nations but of the people who, when called upon, answer with courage and generosity. Let this story be a flame that burns in your hearts, a reminder that we, the children of the earth, are bound together by a common thread of humanity. When we join forces, we move mountains. And so, when you find yourself facing a struggle—whether personal or on behalf of a greater cause—remember the friendship of America and Ireland and know that together, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way.