Fintan Lane Knihy

Focusing on the political landscape of Cork in the 1820s and 1830s, the book delves into Thomas Sheahan's radical activism, highlighting his unique commitment to combating economic destitution over traditional liberal or middle-class aspirations. As a key figure in the Catholic emancipation and Repeal movements, he founded the Cork Trades Association, challenging the dominance of the middle-class Chamber of Commerce within O'Connell's movement. This analysis reveals the complexities and class divisions within O'Connellism, countering the notion of it as a unified front.

It is commonly believed that James Connolly initiated modern Irish socialism when he founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party in May 1896. This book challenges that myth by making available for the first time a detailed history of the beginnings of modern Irish socialism. Based on original sources, this study traces the development of socialism in Ireland from the influence of William Thompson, Marx and the First International through to the arrival of Connolly and the struggle for independence. The author explores the radicalizing element of the land war, the impact of British socialism in Ireland, and the emergence of socialist organizations in Dublin. He also examines the leading role played by socialists in the politicization of the labour movement and charts their changing position in relation to Irish independence.