SÓP, Baile Átha Cliath This speech was originally given at the annual Dublin branch commemoration of James Connolly’s execution on 14 May. Dia daoibh a chairde. Thank you for being here this morning to honour the life, and remember the execution of our organisation’s namesake: James Connolly. Why Connolly? Of all the Irish republican revolutionaries why…
The best way to remember the Fenians – and every other republican – is to make their ambitions a reality. Fight against the apathy that is so prevalent; agitate for a better future. Educate people on what the cause of societies problems are and what can be done about them. Organise in your workplace, in your community, and in your college to make the Republican ideal a reality.
The lesson to be learned is that the story of Aidan is only one of many victims of North-South collusion that continues to this day. As well as the victims of lies perpetrated by Crown Forces and supported by the lackeys of the Free State.
The crisis of 2020 can be a rupture in the status-quo of capitalism as much as the First World War and the 1916 Rising was. We must look at his contributions to applying Marxism to the Irish context, and his unique ability to recognise the political moment he was living in. For Connolly, Marxism was not an abstract theoretical position to be talked about in universities, nor a dogma to be appealed to as an authority. Marxism was simply a key to be used to unlock Irish History.
Liam Mellows, organiser, republican and revolutionary. He is remembered for is role as a Fianna Éireann organiser and for his rejection of the Treaty, occupation of the Four Courts and subsequent execution by the Free State. Excerpts of his speeches portray the true relationship between America and Ireland.
