Sinn Fein

Knowing nothing about Irish history, I found out more about Sinn Fein, a political organization Bloom thinks about as he walks in Chapter 8, his thougts apparently jumping between Irish political movements (8. 458). Our annotated guide tells us that Bloom uses the term Sinn Fein to refer to an underground organization of the Irish Republican Brotherhood that "advocated that the Irish should. . . create their own [political and economic institutions]" and that although the creator of the organization (Arthur Griffith) did not have an underground military aim, many Irish republicans "rallied to Sinn Fein's cause" (170).

Sinn Fein, interestingly, is still a political force in Ireland today -- here's information I found on the official website:

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.

Specifically:
--- Its objective is to end British rule in Ireland. It seeks national self-determination, the unity and independence of Ireland as a sovereign state.

--- Sinn Féin has a vision that sees beyond the present conflict and beyond the present phase of Irish history. The party's vision foresees the unity of the people of this island. It is a vision for the redistribution of wealth, for the well-being of the aged, for the advancement of youth, for the liberation of women and for the protection of Irish children. It is a vision for a free Ireland and a free people.

--- Sinn Féin is committed to its peace strategy.

--- Sinn Féin maintains its goal of a just and lasting peace as part of its agenda for change.
Elections continue to produce further gains for the party. In the Six Counties, Sinn Féin is the leading nationalist party.


There's a lot more on the website; I just chose what I thought was interesting. (sinnfein.org)

--Erica