Bottom Dog - The Story of the Limerick Soviet 1919

In this season finale we  look at the lessons from the Limerick Soviet for today, what can we learn from how unions organised low paid and precarious workers rapidly, how left and socialist ideas became commonplace, but also why the struggle did not produce the revolution dreamt of and lessons for those who want to make change today. To find out more about the Limerick Soviet check out these books by Dominic Haugh (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Limerick-Soviet-1919-Revolt-Bottom/dp/1916090907/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=limerick+soviet&qid=1557055073&s=gateway&sr=8-1) and Liam Cahill (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Revolution-Centenary-Limerick-Soviet/dp/1912328410/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=limerick+soviet&qid=1557055073&s=gateway&sr=8-2) If you are interested in finding out more about socialism and getting involved in socialist activism in Ireland check out http://socialistparty.ie or internationally check ou http://socialistworld.net We are also looking for ideas for future seasons, possible collaborations or other directions to go with the podcast. If you have an idea, please reach out to us @cianplk on twitter or by emailing info@limericksoviet.ie Thanks for listening, and thanks again to all those who made this podcast possible. See you on the barricades :)

In this episode we  consider other similar revolts across Ireland at the time, including the forgotten story of ‘Take Back the City’-style housing occupations movement in Limerick in 1922, the alternative vision of a workers republic that inspired so many and how that path was shut off. Voices, in order, are: Aprille Scully (podcast co-host), Cian Prendiville (podcast host), Liam Cahill (author of 'Forgotten Revolution'), Thomas Keana (local historian), Dominic Haugh (historian and member of the Socialist Party) and Darren Maher (local actor). Music throughout the episode is by Post Punk Podge. More info on the podcast at: http://limericksoviet.ie/ or to find out more about the Limerick Soviet 100 Festival check-out: http://limericksoviet100.ie/  

In this episode we investigate the battles inside the Soviet, and in the trade unions and labour movement nationally, leading up to the ultimate betrayal of the revolution  Voices, in order, are: Darren Maher (local actor) Aprille Scully (podcast co-host), Cian Prendiville (podcast host),  Dominic Haugh (historian and member of the Socialist Party), Liam Cahill  (author of 'Forgotten revolution) and Conor Kostick (author of 'Revolution in Ireland). Music throughout the episode is by Post Punk Podge. More info on the podcast at: http://limericksoviet.ie/ or to find out more about the Limerick Soviet 100 Festival check-out: http://limericksoviet100.ie/

This episode look at how the Soviet ran the city, produced food, printed money, set up their own police force and even brought down the price of milk.  Voices, in order, are: Aprille Scully (podcast co-host), Cian Prendiville (podcast host),  Mike Finn (playwright of 'Bread Not Profits' play), and Liam Cahill  (author of 'Forgotten revolution) Song at the start of the episode is 'Limerick Soviet by Alun Parry. Music throughout the episode is by Post Punk Podge, and the song at the end is by David Blake from the play 'Bread Not Profits'. More info on the podcast at: http://limericksoviet.ie/ or to find out more about the Limerick Soviet 100 Festival check-out: http://limericksoviet100.ie/

This episode covers the rapid growth of radical trade unionism and socialism in Limerick leading up to 1919, the opposition and resistance to the British occupation, the untold story of the role of women workers in the soviet and what lead to the decision to call the strike . You can see the referenced photo of the mustachioed men of the Limerick Council of Trade Unions here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick_Soviet#/media/File:Limerick_Soviet_Members.jpg  Voices, in order, are: Cian Prendiville (podcast host),  Darren Maher (local actor), Aprille Scully (podcast co-host), Dominic Haugh (Socialist Party & author of 'Limerick Soviet 1919') and Mike McNamara (current president of the Limerick Council of Trade Unions). Music by Post Punk Podge https://www.facebook.com/PostPunkPodge/ More info on the podcast at: http://limericksoviet.ie/ or to find out more about the Limerick Soviet 100 Festival check-out: http://limericksoviet100.ie/

This episode is a small preview of things to come. Starting on April 6th, this podcast will bring you the story of the Limerick Soviet of 1919 over five weekly episodes, every Saturday.  The podcast name pays homage to 'The Bottom Dog'  - Limerick's first ever workers' newspaper. It was launched in October 1917 as a socialist paper pledging to fight for what it called the 'bottom dog', or underdog, which it explained was all those oppressed whether on the basis of class, race or gender. It said that 'every dog has it's day' and that it's goal was to "hasten the day of the Bottom Dog". The episodes will be: 1) The Worker's Rising. This episode will cover the rapid growth of radical trade unionism and socialism in Limerick leading up to 1919, the opposition and resistance to the British occupation, the untold story of the role of women workers in the soviet and what lead to the decision to call the strike 2) A New 'Boss' in Town. This episode will look at how the Soviet ran the city, produced food, printed money, set up their own police force and even brought down the price of milk. 3) Revolution Betrayed. In the third episode we will investigate the battles inside the Soviet, and in the trade unions and labour movement nationally, leading up to the ultimate betrayal of the revolution 4) The Road Not Taken. Our second last episode will consider other similar revolts across Ireland at the time, including the forgotten story of ‘Take Back the City’-style housing occupations movement in Limerick in 1921, the alternative vision of a workers republic that inspired so many and how that path was shut off 5) Limerick Soviet 2.0? Finally we will look at the lessons from the struggle for today, what can we learn from how unions organised low paid and precarious workers rapidly, how left and socialist ideas became commonplace, but also why the struggle did not produce the revolution dreamt of and lessons for those who want to make change today - - - -  Voices, in order, are: Cian Prendiville (podcast host), Mike Finn (playwright, author of 'Bread Not Profits), Dominic Haugh (Socialist Party, author of 'Limerick Soviet 1919"), Mary O'Donnell (chairperson of the Limerick Soviet Commemoration Committee), Liam Cahill (author of "Forgotten Revolution) & Darren Maher (actor reading a quote from James Connolly).  Music is 'Swan' by Post Punk Podge https://www.facebook.com/PostPunkPodge/ More info on the podcast at: http://limericksoviet.ie/ or to find out more about the Limerick Soviet 100 Festival check-out: http://limericksoviet100.ie/

Bottom Dog host Cian was interviewed on the Left Inside podcast this week, about a recent article he wrote in which he argues Covid-19 will be an era-defining moment. He discusses the long-term impacts and that article's call for the socialist left to rally around the call for a left government, with socialist policies and what such a government would mean. During the Covid-19 crisis I’ve been working with a group of other left and socialist activists in Ireland to produce a new podcast, Left Inside which offers a weekly critical look at news, politics and culture from the left. It’s a relaxed and funny panel discussion, including socialist member of the Irish parliament Paul Murphy. If you like the episode, please make sure to subscribe to Left Inside. Check it out online:: https://anchor.fm/leftinside Or subscribe in: ️Google Podcasts on android https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xZGVlZTVmNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw ️Apple podcasts for iPhones https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/left-inside/id1511921759

During the Covid-19 crisis I’ve been working with a group of other left and socialist activists in Ireland to produce a new podcast, Left Inside which offers a weekly critical look at news, politics and culture from the left. It’s a relaxed and funny panel discussion, including socialist member of the Irish parliament Paul Murphy. This week we have an interview with Lenny Abrahamson, director of the hit TV show Normal People and outspoken critic of inequality and oppression. Lenny & Paul talk about creating Normal People, plans for a possible sequel, the underfunding of the arts and how his politics influence his works. Following the interview Cian, Aprille & Jessy discuss why they love the show and the book, and how the arts and capitalism clash. If you like the episode, please make sure to subscribe to Left Inside. Check it out online:: https://anchor.fm/leftinside Or subscribe in: ️Google Podcasts on android https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xZGVlZTVmNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw ️Apple podcasts for iPhones https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/left-inside/id1511921759

During the Covid-19 crisis I’ve been working with a group of other left and socialist activists in Ireland to produce a new podcast, Left Inside which offers a weekly critical look at news, politics and culture from the left.  It’s a relaxed and funny panel discussion, including socialist member of the Irish parliament Paul Murphy. Anyway, I thought some of you who subscribed to Bottom Dog may be interested in this too, so here is a recent episode I was on, if you like it please do make sure to subscribe to Left Inside in whatever podcast app you use. Check it out online:: https://anchor.fm/leftinside Or subscribe in: ️Google Podcasts on android https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xZGVlZTVmNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw ️Apple podcasts for iPhones https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/left-inside/id1511921759