There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Greystones Cove THURS21AUG25

ith their Wednesday and Friday early morning gatherings growing by the week, it was hardly surprising that the Greystones For Palestine candlelit vigil drew such a large crowd this evening.

The vigil was described by one of GFP’s founders, Councillor Mark Barry, as a simple but powerful way for our community to come together in compassion, to remember those who have lost their lives, and to call for an end to the suffering in Gaza.

Just yesterday, the Deputy Ambassador to Palestine, Baker Hijiazi and his advisor, Tara Harrison, joined the Greystones protest, and they would have no doubt been heartened to see the size of the gathering of Greystonians this evening. Starting at Burnaby Park, the vigil made its way to the harbour and eventually to The Cove.

Which is where one of the main organisers of the event, Fionna Saintraint, delivered the following…

“I would like to thank you all for being here tonight. I hope you understand how powerful what we have just done is. I was hoping to read two short quotes to you from a book by Omar Al Akkad to remind ourselves of why we show up when we feel that nothing we do matters and the importance creating an inclusive community, a space for a more quiet form of resilience, one that brings everyone with it.

“The first quote I want to read to you: ‘It is not so hard to believe, even during the worst of things, that courage is the more potent contagion. That there are more invested in solidarity than annihilation. That just as it has always been possible to look away, it is always possible to stop looking away.’ [Omar El Akkad from One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This].

“So I would like to thank each and everyone of you who walk through your own streets tonight, those of you who have joined us every morning we have been down in the park, for choosing to stop looking away over and over.

“I will end with this last quote, which I hope you will carry with you always: ‘The moral component of history, the most necessary component, is simply a single question, asked over and over again: When it mattered, who sided with justice and who sided with power?’ [Omar El Akkad].

“I thank you all for siding with justice, in the face of seemingly unmovable power. You bring pride to our ancestors, those who fought their own oppression and reclaimed their land and rights, so that we today could proudly call ourselves irish.

‘You’ve brought that justice in the name of the Palestinians. Thank you…”

For Councillor Barry, this evening was clearly a highly emotional one.

“At a time when many feel helpless witnessing the atrocities unfolding in the world,” he told the Guide this evening, “I am honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Greystones in unwavering solidarity with the people of Palestine.

“Every action, no matter how small or great, makes a difference. We must keep the pressure on our governments to uphold human rights, not just in Gaza and Palestine, but here at home in Ireland, for the sake of all generations to come.

“I urge the Irish government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, ensuring that Ireland remains proud, strong, and willing to lead by example in the pursuit of justice.”

Thanks to John McGowan for capturing the vigil – full gallery of over 100 hi-res pics from the evening are here, free to download.

Greystones for Palestine meet every Wednesday and Friday morning for a peaceful gathering from 7.30am to 8am in the Burnaby Park, and you can follow them on Instagram here. The full gallery of John McGowan pics from tonight are here.  A second vigil is planning for September 18th.