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Martin McGuinness
134quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Martin McGuinness was a Northern Irish politician who served as a senior member of the Sinn Féin party and was also known by his alias "The Ghost".
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 21, 1942, in Derry, Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness passed away on March 21, 2017.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Martin McGuinness was a Northern Irish politician who was part of the Sinn Féin party. He served as the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 until his resignation in 2017 due to health reasons.
Early Life
Growing up in Derry, Martin McGuinness was born into an Irish-speaking family and was educated at St Columb's College. During this period, he became involved with the republican movement and joined the Fianna Éireann youth organization, which was a precursor to the Provisional IRA.
Major Accomplishments
As a member of Sinn Féin, McGuinness played a significant role in the peace process that led to the Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement) in 1998. This historic agreement aimed to bring an end to decades of sectarian violence and established power-sharing institutions for Northern Ireland.
Notable Works or Actions
McGuinness' involvement with the Provisional IRA was well-documented, although he always maintained that his role within the organization was as a politician rather than a military leader. He was also accused of being involved in the 1981 Irish hunger strike, where ten republican prisoners died after refusing food for up to 70 days.
Impact and Legacy
Martin McGuinness' legacy is complex and multifaceted. While some view him as a hero who fought for Irish unity and an end to British rule, others see him as responsible for violence and the deaths of numerous innocent people during his time with the IRA. His decision to renounce violence and work towards peace through the Good Friday Agreement was seen by many as a crucial step towards lasting change in Northern Ireland.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Martin McGuinness is widely quoted due to his involvement in the peace process and his position as Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. His quotes often reflect on the complexities of the conflict, the importance of compromise, and the need for unity among different factions.
Quotes by Martin McGuinness
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My ultimate dream would be for Derry City to become champions of an all-Ireland league in a united Ireland.
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I remember vividly as a 15-year-old, in 1964, seeing Derry play Glentoran in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park in Belfast. Glentoran were one of the two big Belfast teams, along with Linfield. Any rural team playing them was up against the odds.
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As a lad growing up in the Fifties and Sixties, I played both Gaelic football and soccer and loved them both.
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The position is clear - there is no ambiguity in Sinn Fein's position. We, along with all the other parties, have signed up to a reduced rate of corporation tax of 12.5 % by 2018.
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It is Cameron's cabinet of millionaires who are the real spongers given free rein to live out their Thatcherite fantasies at the expense of ordinary, decent communities throughout these islands.
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Unlike the Tory millionaires, I live in the heart of the proud working-class community of the Bogside in Derry.
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World War One is an important part of Ireland's multi-layered history during which tens of thousands Irish people lost their lives.
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As a former member of the IRA, I accept all the responsibilities that are due to me. But in terms of the individual circumstances, I don't comment on that.
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