Catch up on our events so far!
From Kerry to New York: The Story of 'Red Mike' Quill
with Dr Brian Hanley
Mike Quill was one of America's best known trade union leaders. A native of Kilgarvan Co. Kerry, Quill had been a young IRA volunteer during the War of Independence and Civil War. Emigrating to New York he joined the heavily Irish workforce on the city's subways and buses.
In the face of ferocious opposition from employers, Quill helped build the Transport Workers Union, organising workers across ethnic, religious and racial boundaries, earning the nickname ‘Red Mike’ in the process. This talk examines Quill's career, the importance of Irish republicanism to his politics and his relationship with communists and other activists.
Dr Brian Hanley lectures in history at Trinity College Dublin.
In Proud and Loving Memory?
with senior Republican Activist, Seán Murray, prominent Loyalist, William Mitchell, and former Royal Irish Ranger, Glenn Bradley
This talk explores the perceptions of society towards remembrance and commemoration. The panel considers how we can create spaces to do so respectfully in a post-conflict society.
Behind the Wire: Internment in Ireland
with Danny Morrison, Liz Maskey and Martin Taylor
Britain’s policy of internment was used throughout her Empire to oppress native peoples from Africa to the Middle East to Ireland. A long-term strategy in attempting to suppress revolution, this talk will look at the impact of internment in Ireland. It will explore the historical roots of internment and hear first-hand accounts from internees of the most recent phase of conflict in the north.
Danny Morrison is an author, historian and former-internee. Liz Maskey was the first woman in the north to be interned by the British Government - a conviction which has since been quashed. Martin Taylor was interned on and escaped from the Maidstone prison ship in 1972.
Palestine: The Legal Way Forward
Pádraig Ó Muirigh in conversation with Michael Mansfield KC
Leading human rights Barrister Michael Mansfield KC, in conversation with local solicitor Pádraig Ó Muirigh, will explore the legal avenues available to Palestinians and the international human rights community challenging the genocide in Gaza, including in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The 32: An Anthology of Irish Working-Class Voices
with Michael Pierse, Kate Burns and Siobhán McCallin
The 32 is a celebration of working-class voices from across Ireland. This intimate and illuminating collection features memoir and essays from established and emerging Irish voices. Our panel discuss the challenges they have faced as working-class writers, the importance of representation and their journey to getting their voices heard in the literary world.
Leabharlann Uí Chonghaile Launch
with Frank Connolly
The official launch of Leabharlann Uí Chonghaile | The Connolly Library with distinguished investigative journalist, Frank Connolly, the current Head of Communications with Ireland's largest trade union, SIPTU.
'A Voice for the Voiceless': Mary Ann McCracken
with Dr Myrtle Hill & Deirdre Hargey
In celebration of International Women's Day 2022, feminist historian, Dr Myrtle Hill, discusses Mary Ann McCracken's incredible life and influence on modern day feminism. Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, explores the legacy of Mary Ann today and how her life and politics continue to inspire women across Ireland.
'Neither King nor Kaiser'
with Roger Cole
With rising international tensions, this talk explores the concept of neutrality in a new Ireland and the role of the Irish government in maintaining its sovereignty. Roger Cole is a founding member of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance, having been an activist in the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament since the 1980s, and a current member of the Irish Labour Party.
'Old Ireland in Colour' at Áras Uí Chonghaile
with John Breslin & Sarah-Anne Buckley
The 'Old Ireland in Colour' books are photo collections which bring to life the rich history of Ireland through the colour restoration of stunning images of all walks of Irish life throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In this talk, John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley, authors of the 'Old Ireland in Colour' books talk through a selection of these photos , the stories behind them and the process of bringing colour to them.
Capitalism and the Climate Crisis
with Sinéad Mercier
With climate change dominating our headlines and its impact clear to see across the globe, this discussion looks at the role of capitalism as a major contributor to the climate crisis and how we can begin to tackle this.
2022: Beyond Brexit
with Colin Harvey, Véronique Altglas, Paul Gosling & Amanda Ferguson
As the full consequences of Britain withdrawing from the European Union continue to play out, the inability of the British government to come to an agreement continues to cause widespread instability in local politics. Our panellists discuss the ongoing impact of Brexit on the north of Ireland and articulate their thoughts on what the year ahead will bring.
Bernadette Morris in Concert
at Áras Uí Chonghaile
One of Ireland's leading female artists, Bernadette Morris, performed in Áras Uí Chonghaile in December 2021, accompanied by Emma Robinson and Gerard Thompson with support from Jack Warnock. A powerful night of music and song!
International Human Rights: A Tool in the Struggle for Progress
with St Mary's University College Belfast
Since the end of World War Two, the world has witnessed a mushrooming of human rights frameworks with a corresponding global acceptance of concepts of universal human rights. In this discussion, Daniel Holder (CAJ), Andrée Murphy (RFJ), Gerard McCann (SMUCB), Tawassul Mohammed (Anaka Women's Collective) & Marissa McMahon (PPR), discuss how their organisations have used human-rights based approaches to promote the rights of those they represent.
The Treaty
with Dr Ruan O'Donnell
This talk will re-evaluate the concept of the 1921 Treaty; not least in terms of the dire impact of Westminster’s imposition of partition and the Civil War. Account will be taken of Irish Republican, Unionist and British Imperialist perspectives, as well as the drastic and violent short term consequences of such high and low politics. Dr. Ruan O’Donnell is a Senior Lecturer in the History Department, University of Limerick.
'A Fight to the Finish': 1920 Hunger Strike of Michael Fitzgerald
with Gerard Shannon
Michael Fitzgerald, the Cork IRA leader, who was the first republican to die on hunger striker during the Tan War in October 1920. His death was eclipsed by that of Terence MacSwiney not long after. At the end of the Irish Civil War, Liam Lynch, the IRA Chief-of-Staff, made a final request to be buried with his late comrade. Both are buried together in Kilkrumper Cemetery in Fermoy, Co. Cork.
The Future of Unionism
with Susan McKay and Sarah Creighton
Chaired by Eilish Rooney
Author and journalist, Susan McKay, and Sarah Creighton, lawyer, writer and political commentator, discuss the future of Unionism and the changing nature of the unionist identity in Ireland in the 21st century.
Annual James Connolly Lecture 2021
with Roz Foyer, General Secretary of Scottish TUC
In this fourth annual James Connolly Lecture, Roz Foyer, who has been active in trade unionism for more than twenty-five years, addresses our need to build a strong trade union movement to address the attacks on workers rights and the actions we need to be demanding from governments to deliver a true People's Recovery.
'Where Grieving Begins' by Pat Magee - Book Launch
with Pat Magee & Tim O'Grady
In this event, Pat Magee discusses his book, 'Where Grieving Begins', with Tim O'Grady. Pat Magee was a committed member of the IRA for 27 years, fighting against British rule in Ireland. He was responsible for planting the Brighton Bomb in 1984. This memoir is an attempt to build a common understanding of the past.
Read a review of 'Where Grieving Begins' here
Constance Markievicz: Aristocrat, Artist, Suffragist, Revolutionary
with Prof. Lauren Arrington
Learn about the life of Constance Markievicz with Prof. Lauren Arrington, Professor of English at Maynooth University and author of Revolutionary Lives: Constance and Casimir Markievicz, who explores the four periods of her life that shaped her legacy, from her aristocratic roots in Sligo, to her revolutionary activities in the 1910s and 20s and her role in the Easter Rising.
Pauline Scanlon
with Fabien Joyce
Immersed in tradition yet completely aware of the edgier developments within the folk and world music realms, singer Pauline Scanlon is a creative and curious collaborator from Dingle in West Kerry and viewers can expect a selection of folk songs impeccably sung with accompanist Fabien Joyce on guitar. Pauline is known for her broad a varied repertoire which will include some folk classics as well as lesser known gems.
A Woman's Role is in the Revolution
with Women in Media Belfast & Dr Margaret Ward
Amanda Ferguson, Allison Morris, and Patricia MacBride will be joined by academic and author Dr Margaret Ward to discuss the women who have inspired them in their careers. They will also explore the achievements of a variety of campaigning women, local and international, who have changed all our lives for the better.
The Blind Bard of Belfast: The Story of Carl Hardebeck
with Eugene Dunphy
Carl Hardebeck became blind at three months old. Pitch-perfect and extremely skilled at reading and writing music through the medium of Braille, he collected music all over Ireland bringing him to Belfast in 1893. Music teacher, Eugene Dunphy, tells the story of this remarkable man who has largely been forgotten in Irish history.
Revolutionary Daughters: Nora and Ina Connolly
with Liz Gillis
Historian and author, Liz Gillis, discusses the lives of James Connolly’s daughters Nora and Ina. Inspired by their father’s work and activism and their mother, Lillie’s determination, these two women went on to blaze a trail in their own right.
Sectarianism, Workers and the Role of Trade Unions
with Dr Stephen Baker, Avila Kilmurray, Paddy Mackel & Dr Robbie McVeigh
In association with Trademark and Belfast Trades Council, our panellists discuss the damage that has been done to our community and to the interests of working-class people over the decades and consider how we might combat sectarianism to enable society to move beyond the barricades of a previous century.The Life of Liam Mellows: Lost Soul of Irish Republican Socialism
with Dr Conor McNamara
A vocal opponent of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Liam Mellows was one of the few figures to articulate a republican socialist vision for the IRA during the height of the Civil War. Following the Free State attack on republican headquarters in the Four Courts, he was executed without trial by the Free State regime in December 1922.
Virtual Spring Programme Launch
We have a wide-range of engaging and interesting events which explore key political thinkers of the 20th century, forgotten cultural giants and revolutionary women. We also launch a series of additional offerings which will serve to enhance the Áras Uí Chonghaile experience when we are able to reopen to the public.
The Man I Knew As Uncle George
with Bill Morrison
Dr George Mahony was captured by the rebels during the 1916 Rising. Despite being an officer in the British Army, he cared for many of those wounded in the GPO. His great nephew, Bill Morrison, tells his story.
The Rededication of the James Connolly Statue
The iconic statue of James Connolly, originally erected in 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising is relocated to Áras Uí Chonghaile. To mark this momentous event, there was a virtual rededication on Good Friday 2021 to coincide with the 2nd anniversary of the James Connolly Visitor Centre.
The Lisburn Pogrom 1920
with Pearse Lawlor
Pearse Lawlor, author of ‘The Burnings 1920’, explains how the murder of Tomás MacCurtain, Lord Mayor of Cork, was the catalyst for a series of events that resulted in Catholic-owned homes and businesses in Lisburn being torched in an orgy of sectarian violence.
The Future of Partition: Women's Perspectives
with Andrée Murphy, Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston, Sarah Creighton, Clíodhna NicBhranair & Claire Hackett
100 years on from partition in Ireland, our panel of female leaders discuss their contrasting views on the issue and explore what they see as the future of this island.
Songs of Struggle and Revolution
Well known on the folk scene in Belfast, Fergus Ó hÍr is joined by Gerry Jones, Bríd Keenan, Rút Ní Bhléine, Bill Rolston, Mary Durkan & Fergus Woods for this evening of songs of struggle and revolution. Hear the tales of ordinary men and women as we listen to the stories behind the songs and how the words and music evoke memories from throughout the decades.
On the Frontline: Nurses in the Pandemic
with Pat Cullen
Pat Cullen, Director of the Royal College of Nursing in the north, the trade union that represents our nurses, discusses with us the experiences of nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the vital role of trade unions and how the development of a vaccine is a light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel.
Jim Sheridan in conversation with Seán Murray
Born and raised in inner city Dublin, Jim Sheridan is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter and playwright, speaks to director, Seán Murray, about the ups and downs of working in the film industry, about the evolution of film and culture in the 21st century and what his plans are for the future.
Connolly and the struggle for women's emancipation
with Dr Sinéad McCoole
Sinéad McCoole, author, historian and curator, looks at James Connolly’s life and the women in it. She examines his relationships with his wife Lillie, his daughters and his colleagues and how he impacted on their thinking and their approach to politics.
The Biden Years
with John Samuelsen
John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union in the US and major advocate for Irish unity, speaks to us about the recent American Presidential election, the impact of COVID-19 on workers and the opportunities a Biden administration presents for the American Trade Union movement.
'A day of black murder': Bloody Sunday 1920
with Dr Marie Coleman
Marie Coleman, a Reader in Irish history at Queen’s University Belfast, explores the events of Bloody Sunday 1920. She discusses the context of the incident, the background of Collins’s intelligences services and the impact that day had, not only on those involved, but on subsequent generations of Irish people, right up to the present day.
'A Carnival of Reaction': Partition in Ireland
In March 1914, James Connolly wrote that 'the partition of Ireland would lead to a carnival of reaction'. As we approach 100 years since partition, we explore what Connolly forewarned and the ongoing impact of partition today.
Barry Kerr & Gráinne Holland
at Áras Uí Chonghaile
We were thrilled to welcome Gráinne Holland & Barry Kerr, two accomplished and well-renowned Irish artists, to perform at Áras Uí Chonghaile. This is a compilation of the best of both those incredible concerts.
Nellie Gordon: Mill Girl Turned Militant
with Lisa Rea Currie & Emily Lea
Lisa Rea Currie & Emily Lea of Eastside Arts, look at the life and legacy of Nellie Gordon, an East Belfast child mill worker who, encouraged by James Connolly, grew to be a staunch advocate for the rights of women and children in industry in Belfast.
Hans Litten: The lawyer who put Hitler on the stand
with Pádraig Ó Muirigh
Leading human rights lawyer, Pádraig Ó Muirigh, explores the remarkable life of Hans Litten, a left-wing lawyer who defended workers’ rights in the turbulent years of the Weimar Republic and exposed Hitler’s role at the heart of the Nazis as early as 1931.
The Poppy & the Lily
with Philip Orr & Joe Austin
Historian, writer and playwright Phillip Orr, alongside Chairperson of the Belfast National Graves Association, Joe Austin, introduce the history of the two most iconic political symbols on the island of Ireland and trace their journey from emergence at the turn of the last century to how they continue to resonate across modern society today.
Terry George in conversation with Seán Murray
Terry George, Academy Award winning and Oscar nominated director and screenwriter was born and raised in Belfast before moving to New York in the 1980s. Speaking to award-winning film maker, Seán Murray, he discusses his career in the film industry, the motivation behind his films and how his beginnings in Belfast has influenced his work.
Margaret Skinnider: Radical Politics, Radical Life
with Dr Mary McAuliffe
Mary McAuliffe author of ‘Margaret Skinnider (Life and Times Series)’, explores the life of Margaret Skinnider, a radical republican, feminist, trade union activist and Cumann na mBan member, badly wounded during the 1916 Easter Rising. Skinnider lived until 1971 and devoted her the rest of her life to the causes of Ireland, women and workers.
James Connolly: A Revolutionary Life
with Lorcán Collins
Lorcán Collins, author of ‘James Connolly (16 Lives Series)’, founder of the 1916 Walking Tour of Dublin and host of the Revolutionary Ireland podcast, traces the life of James Connolly, Ireland’s greatest Socialist Republican, from his birth in Edinburgh to his life in New York, Belfast and Dublin.