James Connolly and the Irish Left

James Connolly is a major figure not only in Irish history but also on the broader canvas of international socialism. A man of many parts - militant labour organiser, socialist leader, military commander, newspaper editor, writer, political theorist - his life’s work was dedicated to the establishment of an Irish republic as well as to socialist revolution, and as such provides a fascinating example, one might even say ‘model’, of a revolutionary life. This book examines Connolly’s political theory and practice as it developed over the quarter-century of his active commitment to socialist revolution, and then explores the extent to which his political legacy provided the Irish left with a practical and theoretical instrument.