City café Myo declares Cork ‘independence’ on July 5

The owner of a popular city café has penned a ‘Proclamation of Cork Independence’ as part of a fund-raising appeal to businesses across the Rebel County and a protest as what he has described as the “deeply inhumane policies” being promoted by US President, Donald Trump.

Liam Mullaney founded the Pope’s Quay based Myo Café which will be hosting a series of events on July 5, the day after the US celebrate their independence, with the aim of raising funds for Shine A Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness as well as Edel House.

“We want to show the importance of community spirit, protest and real independence,” said the café owner, who is appealing to businesses across the county to host their own fundraising events on July 5.

“We want to see local businesses think outside the box with us, to promote the arts and raise funds for a charity of their choosing.” 

As well as the events which will be hosted at the Pope’s Quay café, where the Cork independence proclamation will be launched, the Place of Peace collaborative art project created by city-based artist Davey Dummigan, along with members of the city’s international community impacted by war, will be relaunched at 5pm.

“The Cork Proclamation of the People of Cork to the Nations of the World” beings with a declaration of a new bond establishing Cork as a ‘county of inclusion, of welcome, of warmth – where no tongue, creed, colour or custom shall be stranger, but all may find harbour’.

“Having drawn strength from the long tide of our history, from the river Lee to the Béara cliffs, we declare that the soul of Cork shall belong not to one people, but to all peoples.

“In our past were rebels, in our present we are makers, dreamers, migrants and native born alike – each voice part of the great chorus of Cork.” 

The proclamation calls on the people of Cork “of all origins and none to stand as equals, to rise as neighbours, to build together the next chapter of our county’s story” and concludes by proclaiming a “county of all nations, for all people” in the name of “humanity, community, and the fierce pride of Cork”.

Cork city bars, restaurants and other businesses can contact Myo at corkmyo@gmail.com if they are interested in hosting their own Cork Independence Day event on July 5. 

“Myo Cafe will be delighted to support the promotion of events across the city,” said Mr Mullaney.