Centenary Connolly celebration in Derry
A special event is to be held in Derry to examine James Connolly‘s impact on Irish politics – exactly 100 years to the day the revolutionary leader landed in the city.
Organised by the Free Derry Collective (FDC) as part of this year’s Gasyard Feile, A Celebration of Resistance: James Connolly: 1910 – 2010, will take place at the Gasyard on July 26.
Among those taken part in this unique event are veteran civil rights activist Bernadette McAliskey, Labour historian Dr. Emmet O’Connor and former republican prisoner and IWU organiser, Tommy Mc Kearney.
A FDC spokesman says the event will examine the impact Connolly, executed by the British following the 1916 Easter Rising, has had on life in Ireland.
“One hundred years to the day, on 26 July 1910 amidst increasing social and industrial unrest, one of Ireland’s foremost revolutionary figures James Connolly returned to Ireland, heralding what was to be one of the most historic periods for our class and subsequently for Irish history.
“It was during this time Connolly once again, took part in workplace agitation, through his role within the Irish Transport and General Workers Union.
“With this upsurge in trade unionism activity across the country, to the Dublin Lock Out, and the creation of one of the first workers militia, the Irish Citizens Army and to his untimely death following his role played during the Easter Rising of 1916, this centenary event will both celebrate and examine further the life and radical politics of Connolly. ”
The spokesman says celebrating Connolly a celebration of working class resistance to both imperialism and capitalism.
The event gets underway at 7pm.
