James Connolly

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James Connolly Monument, Troy
Photo by Tonya Massey

“We had a wee team of people in the City of Troy” — James Devine

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TROY, N.Y. — In 1916, James Connolly led the Easter Rising in Dublin, which eventually resulted in the creation of the Irish Republic we know today. He was a freedom fighter, a husband, a father and a Socialist labor organizer. Connolly lived in Troy, N.Y. from 1903 to 1905, where he worked to promote socialist ideals in this city that once bustled with industry and inequality. He was executed by the British on May 12, 1916.

In 1986, Belfast native James Devine worked to create a monument to Connolly in Troy, to honor his years spent living here. Like Connolly, Devine was a labor organizer at the time. Host Duncan Crary speaks to Devine about Connolly, his monument and the Irish experience in America and in Northern Ireland.

The residue of James Connolly still remains in this small American city. Jon Flanders, a railroad machinist and labor organizer from Troy, works to continue the Connolly tradition through The James Connolly Forum. Crary speaks to Flanders about what it means to be a socialist during these modern times.

Also featured in this episode is an historical recording of labor leader William O’Brien, who recounts his memories of the executed 1916 leader James Connolly. Courtesy of the Bureau of Military History, with the cooperation of the Irish Folklore Commission.

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SAC_06.mp3
(46 MB | 58:47)

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MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

Traditional Music by The Broken String Band & Friends (feat. Michael Cooney), recorded by Duncan Crary, Feb. 2013 at The Ale House in Troy.

The Broken String Band & Friends

“James Connolly” by Black 47, from “Black 47” (1991).*

Black 47

“Big Fellah” by Black 47, from “Home of the Brave” (1994).*

Black 47

* Courtesy of Larry Kirwan.

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3 responses to “James Connolly”

  1. Nicely done interview, Duncan. Great stuff.

  2. Just listened to this Episode today at work; it was the first one I picked to listen to after downloading all your current episodes.

    Really good episode, and I’m working my way through the rest of your shows.

    I’m a long-time returning listener of the former KunstlerCast, which I’m glad to see is back up and running itself with JHK managing it solo now. I listened to a few of Jim’s solo shows today as well.

    It was nice hearing both your voices, felt like I was reuniting with two old friends I’d not been in touch with for some time. This episode in particular hooked my interest due to my own Leftist political leanings and interest in Irish & Scottish history and Labor history. I did not know about Connolly’s U.S.A. years until listening to this episode.

    This podcast feels very down to earth and generates a vibe similar to This American Life and Tales from Lake Wobegon, etc. Troy sounds like the kind of place I’ve been longing to live in since doing a year abroad in Germany when I was an undergrad. A true urban community with restaurants and pubs with live music within easy walking distance. I got a taste of that in Denton, TX but after I lost my job there I moved back to the car-dependent Houston suburbs. Still the kind of life I can only dream of for now…

  3. […] Look here for information on our fall 2014 ScheduleFor a discussion of James Connolly and Troy, New York, go here: […]

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