Draft:Henry McAlinden
 | This article, Draft:Henry McAlinden, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Preload talk Inform author |
| This article, Draft:Henry McAlinden, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Preload talk Inform author |
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: A number of WP:NPOV and WP:ATTRIBUTEPOV issues. See also WP:NOTMEMORIAL. (June 2024) |
Henry McAlinden (c.1920 – 2010)[1] was an Irish republican, political activist and Irish language advocate based in Ballymena, County Antrim. He stood for the Irish Independence Party in the 1978 Ballymena council by-election, being the first Irish republican candidate to do so in the town.[2]
His grandson, Bréanainn Lyness, who is an incumbent Sinn Féin councillor, would go on to be the first Irish republican elected in Ballymena town in 2023,[3][failed verification] and the first Irish republican Deputy Mayor in Mid & East Antrim Borough Council in 2024.[4][failed verification]
Early Life
Community work
Throughout the early 1950s, McAlinden dedicated his time to working for Gael Linn as the full-time County Antrim sales manager for more than 40 years.[tone] He travelled the county on his bicycle year after year, raising funds to support the Irish language and becoming widely recognized by a large group of people.[who?] He was awarded for his services to Gael Linn as the "top area collector" in Ireland.[5]
McAlinden played a role as a founding member of the All Saints GAA Club in Ballymena. He organized Scór events, and had a passion[tone] for traditional folk music and céilí dancing.[6]
Political activism
McAlinden was a committed Irish republican in terms of his political ideology. He ran for election in Ballymena representing the Irish Independence Party and had a close relationship with John Turnley, who died in Carnlough on 4 June 1980.[citation needed] During this period, McAlinden faced death threats from Loyalist paramilitaries. Both McAlinden and Turnley were heavily involved in the National H-Block/Armagh campaign. Additionally, McAlinden served as a committee member for North Antrim Green Cross, a group that provided support to the families of Irish republican prisoners, as well as the National Graves Association.[2]
References
- ^ "Tireless Irish-language activist in Ballymena and beyond". An Phoblacht. 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ 2.0 2.1 "Irish Independence Ballymena Election Poster Templates". National Treasures. 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ McLaughlin, Sophie (2023). "NI Council election results for Mid and East Antrim in full". BelfastLive. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Sinn Féin's deputy mayor strikes conciliatory tone as party holds office for first time in MEA". LoveBallymena. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ Ní Chinnéide, M (2013). Scéal Ghael-Linn (1st ed.). Galway: Gael Linn. ISBN 9781909367722.
- ^ Ó Baoighill, P. (2021). Gael Linn i gCúige Uladh: Slis den Saol 1953-1970. Dublin: Joneswood press. pp. 194–197.[ISBN missing]