Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams will be the featured speaker on April 28 at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union of New York. Friends of Sinn Fein USA is holding two back to back events in New York in the Great Hall of Cooper Union, dedicated to the men and women of 1916 and to the role of Irish America in the Rising. The event is being co-sponsored by the Cooper Union Office and Public Programs.

The first night, Wednesday, April 27, will focus on the legacy of James Connolly in the Irish and American labor movements. John Samuelsen, president of the Quill/ Connolly Local 100, Transport Workers Union of America will open the along with author Lorcan Collins who will speak to the cause of labor in Ireland. James Connolly Heron, great grandson of James Connolly, author and activist will also speak about Connolly and the true and still unrealized vision of the Proclamation.

Adams is the featured speaker on Thursday, April 28. The program will open with history Professor Christine Kinealy of Quinnipiac University, discussing the road to the Rising, setting the stage for Toireasa Ferris, former mayor of Kerry to discuss the desire for Irish unity of the young people of Ireland.

Adams, the final speaker, will outline Sinn Fein's vision of the future for Ireland for all the Irish people and the realization of the ideals of the Proclamation.

Both evenings will feature music and poetry of the time and a reading of the Proclamation. Larry Kirwan, formerly of Black 47 will perform on April 27. Billy Coleman and Jacinta O’ Mahoney will perform on both nights.

Both nights are free and open to the public. RSVP to Marty Glennon through Linda Ormsby at 631-777-6904 or [email protected] or Sean Downes at 212-248-3232 of [email protected].