The centenary of James Connolly's execution for his role in the 1916 Rising will be marked in Galway with a public lecture on the history of socialism and republicanism, including Connolly's contribution to both.
Republicanism and Socialism in Ireland: from Wolfe Tone to James Connolly is the title of the lecture which will be given by Dr Priscilla Metscher, on Monday May 16 at 8pm in Richardson’s, Eyre Square.
Dr Metscher’s lecture will be on the theme of her new book, of the same title, in which she examines the history of radical ideas from the 1790s to the 1916 Rising. She argues that Connolly’s socialism cannot be isolated from republicanism and its tradition, and indeed that his life and work are the culminating point in the history of republicanism and socialism in Ireland.
Dr Metscher studied at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to Germany where she lectured in Irish Studies at Oldenburg University from 1974 to 1999. "I come from near Saintfield and Ballynahinch, good United Irishmen country," she says, "and, as people should know, most of the leadership of the United Irishmen were of good Ulster Protestant stock."
The event is being jointly organised by the Irish Centre for the Histories of Labour and Class, NUI Galway, and the Connolly Forum. All are welcome and admission is free.
