Welcome to the website of the Burns and Moley Sinn Féin Cumann.  The Cumann was formed in 1997 and covers the areas of Silverbridge and Dorsey in the heart of South Armagh. The Cumann was named for Brendan Burns and Brendan Moley, two Volunteers who died on Active Service on 29th February, 1988.

The very first Cumann meeting took place in Donnelly's loft, Silverbridge. Throughout the years since, the Cumann has being going from strength to strength. The Cumann meets every two weeks.

In 2001 on the 20th anniversary of the Hunger Strike, the Cumann erected a new monument at Fords Cross, Silverbridge; making a permanent feature of a landmark which was already widely known. Thousands of people gathered from all corners of the country to participate in this commeration . Attending this massive event were bands from north and south. All local Cumann displayed their banners, with the local people joining in behind the banner that represented their area. A member of each of the Hunger Strikers' families laid a wreath, the onlookers reliving their emotions at what had happened to the Volunteers who died on this inhumane hunger strike. The main speaker for this event was Pat Doherty, MP for South Tyrone. Lawrence McKeown and Paddy Quinn, who were former hunger strikers, unveiled the monument. Father McCreesh, Raymond McCreesh's brother, said a decade of the rosary. This added a personal touch to this commemoration

'H-Block Is The Rock That British Monsters Shall Perish Upon, For We In H-Block Stand Upon The Unconquerable Rock Of The Irish Socialist Republic ' Bobby Sands

In 1998 the 10th anniversary of the two Brendan's occurred and for this anniversary the Burns Moley banner was unveiled. This was the first sighting of the banner. It took a full year of thoughts, ideas from both families and members of the Cumann to get the banner to its current state. Again, hundreds of people gathered for the 10th anniversary. Each year, more and more people are attending the Commerations . Even though both men are gone, their memories are still alive within the hearts of the people who were close to them and especially the families and people of the wider Republican community.

We think of you in silence ,
No eye may see us weep,
But ever in our aching hearts,
Your memory we will keep.
(Brendan Moley)

Annual commemorations are organised for the Two Brendan's, in February each leap year or the first Sunday in March the other years.

You left behind some aching hearts,
That loved you most sincere,
We never shall and never will,
Forget you, Brendan dear.
(Brendan Burns)

We lend as much support to the neighbouring Cumainn as we can, because at the end of the day, we are all on the same team.

Sinn Féin is the oldest political party in Ireland. We take our name from the Irish Gaelic expression for "We Ourselves." Since the party was founded in 1905, we have worked for the right of Irish people as a whole to attain national self-determination and have elected representatives in every major Irish town and city. In South Armagh, we have 4 out of a possible 5 members of the local council. Sinn Féin 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.

Through our local Sinn Féin Councillors, we are constantly raising local issues such as state of the roads, street lighting, bus shelters, local funding, education, vandalisim , recycling etc. We are constantly updating the electoral register for the forth-coming elections. The Cumann would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if they know of someone who is not on the register due to any the following, please do not hesitate in contacting your local Sinn Féin councillor, or any member of your local Cumann:

-  If you know of someone who has moved into the area.
-  If you know of someone who has moved address; i.e. moved in to a house a few doors up from their original address.
-  If you know of someone who has now reached the voting age.

Overall, the Burns and Moley Cumann has succeeded in the organisation and participation in a wide variety of commemorations, locally and nationally, fundraising for Sinn Féin and other local charities in the strategy for the elections for north and south; Sinn Féin's campaign to succeed as an all Ireland 32 county party.

When you stop and think of what Brendan Moley and Brendan Burns dedicated their lives to, metoriphorically you should understand the caption on their banner:

'Whether on the scaffold high, or on the battlefield he die, the noblest place for man to die, is when he dies for man.

25th Anniversary Events Begin

The weekend of events to commemorate Volunteers Brendan Burns and Brendan Moley, 25 years after they gave their lives for Irish freedom, began with a packed book launch on 1st March 2013. South Armagh remembers the Two Brendans with pride.

Cllr. Colman Burns condemns arson attack

Premises used by the Burns and Moley Sinn F?in Cumann have been destroyed in an arson attack.
Read more >>

22nd Anniversary Wreath Laying Ceremony

Volunteers Burns and Moley were remembered at a wreath laying ceremony at Creggan on Sunday 28th February 2010. The Two Brendans will be commemorated at a march for all Volunteers on the South Armagh Roll of Honour later this year.

Articles section updated July 2010

Above is an extract from our DVD, which was made to mark the 20th anniversary of the deaths of the Two Brendans.