Sinn Fein is to hold conferences in New York and San Francisco in June entitled, “United Ireland – How Do We Get There?”

The conferences will be hosted by Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, Rita O’Hare, the party’s representative to the U.S., told IrishCentral. 

At Sinn Fein’s Ard Fheis (annual convention) held in February, Adams said that building a united Ireland requires “more than a change of flags.” 

“We need to build this party everywhere. And we need to make political alliances.

“We also need to build support internationally. There are tens of millions of people across the world who can trace their lineage back to Ireland. 

“There is considerable good will in the USA for a United Ireland. We have to mobilize and organize with all of these friends and potential friends to advance our goals.” 

Rita O’Hare told IrishCentral that Sinn Fein “is looking for ideas, plans, and initiatives.” 

“This isn’t just for Sinn Fein supporters – but for all people who want to see an end to partition and a united Ireland. People in the U.S. see the possibility, and indeed the reality, of a united Ireland.” 

O’Hare expects between 700-800 people to attend the conference held in New York, which is to take place in the Hilton Hotel on June 13th. She expects a smaller crowd to attend the San Francisco conference, which will take place on June 27th. 

All of the main Irish-American organizations had been contacted, O’Hare added, such as the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and the Brehon Law Society, and asked to participate in the conference. 

“We’ve been very pleased with the level of interest we’ve gotten so far,” said O’Hare. “We want as many speakers as possible to be from Irish America, and we are looking for a range of views on how we achieve a united Ireland.” 

She added that more information will soon be available on who will be speaking at the conference.