The Irish People

Following on from the launch of the Workers’ Party nuclear energy policy https://workersparty.ie/nuclear-power-policy/ this week we discuss the state of current climate and energy policy in Ireland, and debate the best way forward for Ireland.This episode is chaired by Èilis Ryan, Workers’ Pary Ard Comhairle and former Dublin City councillor who speaks to Garrett Greene, Lecturer in Statistics at UCD, Workers’ Party Ard Comhairle and representative for Cabra-Glasnevin, Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy at University College Cork and columnist for the Irish Times, Adrian Kane, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser and author of Trade Unions, Síreacht: Longings for Another Ireland (https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/9781782055846/trade-unions/) and Lorna Bogue, Cork City Councillor for Green Left. 

In this episode of The Irish People podcast, we’re publishing a talk entitled The National Question in the Era of Imperial Decline by Alexander McKay of the Marx Engels Lenin Institute. The talk was recorded at a recent event organised by the Workers’ Party in Trinity College Dublin. You can find the Marx Engels Lenin Institute on YouTube, Twitter, Telegram and their website, marxengelsinstitute.org.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarxengelsleninstalinmaoTwitter: https://twitter.com/MarxEngelsLninTelegram: https://t.me/armc1870

The Irish People podcast hosted a public meeting entitled "The EU Directive on Minimum Wage: Opportunity or Threat?" on Tuesday, 5th December in Wynn's Hotel, Dublin.Jack O’Connor, former General Secretary of SIPTU, Adrian Kane, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser and Daryl D'Art, Lecturer in Labour Law and Employee Relations, all took part in a panel discussion.A new pamphlet, entitled "The EU Directive on Minimum Wage: Opportunity or Trap?" is also available. 

Over the past two weeks we have witnessed what can only be described as the ethnics cleansing of Palestinians in real time. Thousands murdered including children, women and medics, houses flattened and hospitals bombed, food, water and electricity cut off, while thousands more have been displaced. This situation did not begin on 7th October when Hamas attacked Israel. The oppression and occupation of Palestinians and Palestine has been taking place for decades and to its shame the International community of the EU, United States have remained silent and complicit in Israeli war crimes. In our millions across the world we have protested against this latest genocide against the people of Palestine and we must continue to do so. Today we speak to Fouad Baker from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Clare Daly MEP and political activist and commentator Phil Kelly. 

In July 1936 Spanish workers across the country took up arms in response to a right-wing coup led by General Francisco Franco. The Civil War pitted the working class against the Spanish capitalists, backed by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. Thousands came to defend the Republic from across the world, forming the International Brigades including many from Ireland, some of whom formed the Connolly Column. Western countries including Britain and France placed a blockade on Spain which meant no aid or weapons could reach the anti-fascists while Germany and Italy ignored the blockage and ensured the supply of weapons and oil to the fascists. Sadly after three years of bitter bloody war, and despite the courage and valour shown by those fighting in defence of the Republic against the evil of fascism, the nationalists with their superior weaponry and equipment, were victorious.We are delighted to welcome Aaron Kelly to the show today to discuss Ireland's involvement in the Spanish Civil war. Aaron is the coordinator of the Irish Chapter of the Network in Defence of Humanity, a member of La Plataforma de la Clase Obrera Antiimperialista and the CPI. He is an author and academic and his forthcoming publications include the edited collections Revolutionary Cuba Culture: A Reader and Cuban Revolutionary Thought: A Reader and a monograph of James Connolly. 

“Being the story of twelve months in Hell, told by one of the damned, and written down by Robert Tressell”So read the original title page, drawn by Tressell. For this episode we speak to Scarlett and Sophie Rickard, known professionally as the Rickard sisters. They have created several graphic novels one of which is the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and we are delighted to welcome them to the Irish People podcast. https://rickardsisters.com/

Ben Fletcher: The Life and Times of a Black Wobbly by Dr Peter Cole tells the story of one of the greatest heroes of the American working class.A brilliant union organiser and a humorous orator, Benjamin Fletcher was a tremendously important and well-loved African American member of the IWW during its heyday. Fletcher helped found and lead Local 8 of the IWW’s Marine Transport Workers Industrial Union, unquestionably the most powerful interracial union of its era, taking a principled stand against all forms of xenophobia and exclusion.The Irish people podcast spoke to Dr Peter Cole, professor of history at Western Illinois University in the United States and a Research Associate in the Society, Work and Development Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He is the author of Dockworker Power: Race and Activism in Durban and the San Francisco Bay Area, winner of the Philip Taft Labor History Book Prize, and Wobblies on the Waterfront: Interracial Unionism in Progressive-Era Philadelphia. He co-edited Wobblies of the World: A Global History of the IWW, and edited Ben Fletcher: The Life & Times of a Black Wobbly. He holds degrees from Georgetown University and Columbia University. He tweets from @ProfPeterCole

In the second episode of our two-part special, Eoghan Gardiner asks our guests just what exactly is leading to this situation on a national basis, and what our guests believe the solutions are in order to change it.

In the first episode of our two-part special, Eoghan Gardiner discusses the housing crisis in terms of the impact that it is having on the ground, asking a number of activists about the situations people are facing in their communities and the background behind it. 

In this episode we talk to historian and writer Liz Gillis about Women in Irish Revolution. Liz is from the Liberties. She is the author of six books about the Irish Revolution  including, ‘The Fall of Dublin’, ‘The Hales Brothers and the Irish Revolution’ ‘May 25: The Burning of the Custom House 1921’ and the one we are going to focus on today, the excellent ‘Women of the Irish Revolution’. Liz has worked as a researcher on numerous publications, television and radio documentaries covering the period.In 2021, Liz was appointed Historian in Residence for Dublin South County Council for the Decade of Centenaries. She also works as a Researcher for the History Show on RTE Radio and lectures at Champlain College Dublin.  Liz was a Historical Consultant for the new Custom House Visitor Centre. She was a Curatorial Assistant in RTE, specialising in researching the Easter Rising and a tour guide for many years in Kilmainham Gaol.    In 2018 Liz was a recipient of the Lord Mayor’s Award for her contribution to history. She is also the co-organiser of the annual conference on the burning of the Custom House in May 1921.

In this episode we focus on one of Irelands greatest revolutionaries, Anne Devlin. Anne is best knows as the housekeeper of Robert Emmet when in fact she was so much more than this. We are delighted to be joined by Mícheál O’Doibhilín. Mícheál is an expert on Anne. He has written an excellent book titled “Anne Devlin: The Bravest of the Brave” and runs an annual commemoration for Anne in Glasnevin. Mícheál also runs Kilmainham Tales (link below) which focuses on lesser known historical Irish Stories. Mícheál has been key to brining Annes story to the fore. https://kilmainhamtales.ie/

In this episode we focus on a woman who doesn’t always get the coverage she deserves, Elizabeth Gurely Flynn - the rebel girl. EGF was a member of the IWW, a Labour leader, an activist, a communist and founder of the American Civil Liberties Union. She was instrumental in the campaigns to save Joe Hill and Sacco and Vanzetti and was a fierce opponent of fascism throughout her life. We are joined by Professor Mary Anne Trasciatti who teaches rhetoric and is Director of Labor Studies at Hofstra University in New York. She is currently completing a book on the civil liberties activism of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn.

In this episode, Claire O’Connor is joined by Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns at the Financial Services Union (FSU), and Dr Daryl D’Art, researcher and lecturer in Industrial Relations and member of the Workers’ Party, for a discussion about trade union recognition and collective bargaining in the Republic of Ireland.Daryl D’Art is the author of Workers’ Party pamphlet, A World still to Win: Union Recognition a Constitutional and Human Right: workersparty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A-World-Still-to-Win.pdfGareth Murphy is the co-author of the FSU’s recent discussion document on collective bargaining: fsunion.org/assets/files/pdf/fsu_unionising__collective_bargaining_final_version.pdf

In this episode we discuss the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, it’s formation, the introduction of internment and the events of Bloody Sunday. We are joined by Kevin McCorry. Kevin is originally from Belfast and was organiser of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association from 1969 until 1975. He was chief Stewart and on the lorry that fronted the civil rights march in Derry on “Bloody Sunday”, 30 January 1972, when the peaceful marchers were attacked by British paratroopers, leading to the deaths of 14 unarmed civilans.  A solicitor by profession, he has championed progressive causes in both parts of Ireland all his adult life. He is currently Director of the annual Desmond Greaves Weekend Summer School in Dublin. 

In this episode we discuss the Treaty and the Irish Civil War. We are joined by Dr Brian Hanley lectures in modern Irish history at Trinity College Dublin. He is the author of a number of books and articles on twentieth century Irish republicanism and is currently writing about the global impact of the Irish Revolution.

In a special episode of the Irish People podcast we discuss the recent and frankly shameful decision by the British courts to grant the United States extradition request for Julian Assange. We are joined by Chris Williamson, former Labour MP for Derby North, a close ally of Corbyn, one of the few MPs who fought against the fake anti semitism smears and who ultimately paid the price for opposing the right wing coup in Labour. Chris is a champion of Palestine, a committed internationalist and anti imperialist and passionate animal rights campaigner. Chris is helping build a left alternative across England. He has been central to the campaign to free Julian Assange and it’s fair to say a true champion of social justice. We are also joined by Phil Kelly activist and regular media commentator, Phil is a strong champion of Cuba  and a committed internationalist and anti-imperialist. 

In this episode we talk about the Behan family with particular focus on Brendan and Dominic, their upbringing, their writing and their politics. We are joined by actor and writer Paudge Behan, whose mother was Beatrice, artist, author and wife of Brendan and historian, writer and broadcaster Donal Fallen. There is plenty of discussion, chat and a few laughs. An episode not to be missed. 

In this episode we are focusing on a historical theme, ‘the life and times of Winfred Carney, Republican, Socialist, suffragette, trade unionist, revolutionary, close confidant of James Connolly and probably most famously ‘the typist with the Webley’. 

In the first episode of The Irish People Claire O'Connor is joined by Gavin Mendel-Gleason to discuss nuclear power, its role in power generation and its potential to save the planet from climate change.