Emmet O'Connor Knihy

In August 1922, at the height of the Civil War, when the Communist Party of Ireland could count on barely 50 activists, two agents of the Communist International held a secret meeting in Dublin with two IRA leaders. The four signed an agreement providing for the transformation of Sinn Fein into a socialist party. In return, Moscow was to assist with the supply of weapons to the IRA. The incident illustrates what made the Comintern a beacon of hope to beleaguered revolutionaries or an object of sometimes hysterical suspicion. From February 1918, when over 10,000 thronged central Dublin to acclaim the Bolshevik revolution, to July 1941, when the Party in Eire was dissolved by the votes of just 20 members, communists were involved with every radical movement, and demonised in every pulpit. Based on former Soviet archives, Reds and the Green shows why Irish Marxists and republicans turned repeatedly to Russia for support and inspiration, what Moscow wanted from Ireland, and how the Comintern was able to direct an Irish political party.

A work on Irish labour history, providing an introduction for the general reader and a synopsis for the specialist. Presenting a challenging overview of labour's past, it addresses industrial relations and political issues of contemporary relevance.

Focusing on influential figures in Irish radical history, this study examines both male and female leaders who shaped the left's evolution. It contextualizes their impact against the backdrop of the 2011 election, which saw a surge in leftist support, and the centenary of significant events in Irish left-wing history. This exploration highlights the pivotal roles these leaders played in the development of radical thought and activism in Ireland.

Set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War in 1922, the narrative explores a pivotal secret meeting between Communist agents and IRA leaders, leading to Sinn Fein's transformation into a socialist party with Moscow's promised military support. The book delves into the complex relationship between Irish Marxists and the Communist International, highlighting the hopes and fears surrounding communism in Ireland from the Bolshevik Revolution to the dissolution of the Irish Communist Party. Utilizing Soviet archives, it reveals the motivations and influences that shaped this alliance.