Writer and journalist with Longford connections is on the flotilla to Gaza

Naoise Dolan, 33, who has Longford roots through her grandparents, is part of the Flotilla sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

The journalist and writer, who is granddaughter of John, a proprietor of Mc Nally and Whelan Ltd. Furniture Manufacturers, Richmond Street, will be leaving with the boat shortly to help those suffering in the war.

Known for her works ‘Exciting Times’ (2017) and ‘The Happy Couple’ (2023), the Dublin-born author acquired her English degree in 2016 from Trinity College Dublin.

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Having a fulfilling and successful career as a writer, Naoise has decided to not just use words as a means of activism, but to actively participate in helping where she can.

Naoise has joined the second wave of the mission which departed from Catania, Italy on Saturday, September 20. She joined her like-minded Irish and international participants, including writers, artists, activists, and elected representatives, in Italy.

The Global Sumud Flotilla contains dozens of small vessels carrying activists from 44 countries and provisions for the people of Gaza, a record number, all leaving from various Mediterranean ports.

Much of her week has been final arrangements before disembarking on the humanitarian journey to deliver aid.

Preparing to set sail, Naoise took a moment to speak to the ‘Longford Leader’ before going on this humanitarian mission to deliver necessities to the Gaza people the day before the boat was scheduled to leave.

With encouragement and support from her mother, Miriam, Naoise told about why she decided to be a part of this mission.

“I’ve been involved in Palestine activism for quite a while,” she explained when asked about how she got into it. “To be an activist, the media portrays that as someone who is in a protest or in action. For me, to be an activist, you need to be organising things and being involved. In my frustrations with the limits, I was trying everything I could to stand with Palestine. I wanted to be more invested.

I applied and invested. I’m not dead set on being on a boat but being part of the movement. They’ve put me on the boat and here I am.”

Despite the Flotilla having plenty of members involved in the operation, Naoise discussed the difficulties involved in reaching their destination, which has been discussed during preparations. Naoise discussed her thoughts:

“We’re also dealing with an entity that has shown itself to be becoming more and more extreme to Palestinians or stopping us from trying to break the siege. We have to keep trying or else we’d lose our humanity if we stopped.”

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For those who want to show support back home, Naoise advised to reach out to their public representatives to get their voices heard about the situation in Gaza.