On Saturday 3 February at 2.30pm, historian and author Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh come to Galway City Museum to discuss the politics and political writings of Pádraic Ó Conaire, with particular reference to the Russian Revolution of 1917.
One hundred years ago, the Russian revolution sparked interest around the world, and Ireland was no exception. Ten thousand people packed out Dublin's Mansion House to express their solidarity with the Bolsheviks in February 1918, many of them hoping for as fundamental a change in Irish society and politics. Workers' struggles in the following years often echoed those of the soviets in Russia.
One of the earliest to proclaim his support for the revolution was the writer Pádraic Ó Conaire (1882-1928). His articles welcomed the change in Russia, seeing it as the beginning of a wave of revolution sweeping west. He commented sympathetically on revolutionary movements across the world, as well as the growing labour movement at home. He advocated a change which would sweep away capitalism and make way for a new world based on political, economic and individual freedom – and this in rich, evocative Irish.
On Saturday 3 February at 2.30pm, historian and author Aindrias Ó Cathasaigh come to Galway City Museum to discuss the politics and political writings of Pádraic Ó Conaire, with particular reference to the Russian Revolution of 1917. Aindrias has written and spoken extensively on Ó Conaire. His groundbreaking political biography Réabhlóid Phádraic Uí Chonaire has been critically acclaimed, along with An tAthrú Mór, his collection of Ó Conaire's socialist writings. His most recent work, Réabhlóid na Rúise, is the only history of the Russian revolution published in Ireland. His talk in Galway City Museum will discuss that revolution's influence on one of Ireland's most enduring writers.
For further details, or to make a booking, please contact the museum on (091) 532460. This is a free event, but places are limited so booking is essential.