Sleep Easy, Shane
With humour, warmth and delicate beauty, Shane MacGowan’s lyricism profoundly shaped the culture of England’s Irish diaspora — and was never afraid to denounce injustice, no matter how unpopular this made him with the powerful.
16 Articles by:
Donal Fallon
Donal Fallon is a historian and author of Three Castles Burning: A History of Dublin in Twelve Streets (New Island, 2022).
Remembering Kevin Barry
On this day in 1920, Irish revolutionary Kevin Barry was hanged at just eighteen years of age. Immortalised in song, his execution became an international cause — and fanned the flames of rebellion.
How the Paris Commune Influenced the 1916 Rising
The Paris Commune of 1871 was still fresh in the memory by the time of Ireland’s Easter Rising – and, for 1916 leader James Connolly, its radical politics and urban warfare offered an example to follow.
Man and Showman
Dubliner Brendan Behan was born one hundred years ago. Despite his demons, he became one of the twentieth century’s great working-class writers.
Brendan Behan at 100
Dublin writer Brendan Behan was born 100 years ago today. From his earliest days, his radical politics combined with a literary flair to make him one of the great working-class storytellers.
Remembering the Dublin Lockout
On this day in 1913, police attacked a crowd that had gathered to hear James Larkin speak during the Dublin Lockout – a pivotal moment of the war declared by employers on 20,000 workers and their right to unionise.
How the Paris Commune Influenced the 1916 Rising
The Paris Commune of 1871 was still fresh in the memory by the time of Ireland’s Easter Rising – and, for 1916 leader James Connolly, its radical politics and urban warfare offered an example to follow.
The Radical Politics of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is known today for his satirical wit, but he maintained a lifelong interest in political affairs – one which would lead him to Irish nationalism, women’s suffrage and the fight against capitalism.
The Political James Joyce
Today marks the 80th anniversary of James Joyce’s death. His writing was impacted by the great political intrigues of his time — from nationalism to religion, and his own sympathies for socialism.
The Political James Joyce
Today marks the 80th anniversary of James Joyce’s death. His writing was impacted by the great political intrigues of his time – from nationalism to religion, and his own sympathies for socialism.
Remembering Kevin Barry
101 years ago today, Irish revolutionary Kevin Barry was hanged at just eighteen years of age. Immortalised in song, his execution became an international cause – and fanned the flames of rebellion.
Up Went Nelson
Post-independence Ireland saw a wave of monuments to the British empire being removed, but none more dramatically than Nelson’s Pillar in Dublin – blown up on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Ireland’s Greatest Strike
In April 1920 a general strike demanding the release of prisoners rocked Ireland and brought the country to a standstill — one hundred years later, it remains the pinnacle of Irish labour history.
Ireland’s Greatest Strike
In April 1920 a general strike demanding the release of prisoners rocked Ireland and brought the country to a standstill – one hundred years later, it remains the pinnacle of Irish labour history.
Ireland’s Other Proclamation
On this day in 1867, a radical uprising in Ireland led by a follower of Marx’s First International sought common cause with republicans and workers of the world.
The Typist with the Webley
This week Belfast City Council blocked plans for a statue to Winnie Carney, a pioneering socialist, feminist and trade unionist. We remember her extraordinary life.