Connolly first moved to the city in 1911 as an organiser for the Irish Transport and General Workers Union and while he divided his time between the city and Dublin his family remained here until 1916. Yet his association with the city goes back to at least 1897, writing articles and opinion pieces for the Belfast-based newspaper, Shan Van Vocht.
Belfast and the north also figures heavily in his writings, drawing upon the United Irishmen and the “men of no property” as well as his key debates with William Walker and the future of trade unionism and socialism on the island of Ireland.
The walk will last about one and a half hours and will include places where Connolly worked and spoke, as well as sites linked with the organisations and people that influenced his analysis.
It will start at Customs House Square and finish at the statues of Mary Ann McCracken and Winifred Carney at City Hall.
Participants should be in good physical condition and anyone with physical limitations should take this into consideration. The tour will operate in all weather conditions so guests should plan accordingly and wear warm, comfortable clothing and footwear.
Dr. Conor McCabe is a researcher and editor of The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889-1898, published by Iskra Books. His previous work includes Sins of the Father: the Decisions that Shaped the Irish Economy (2011), The Double Transition: The Economic and Political Transition of Peace (2013), and Money (2018). He works mainly with grassroots political, trade union, artist, and community groups, exploring the dynamics of theory and action for societal change.
Conor will also be giving a talk on The Lost Writings of James Connolly at 1:00pm in The Deer’s Head.
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