The Re-Conquest of Ireland

by James Connolly

When England deprived Ireland of all rights to the soil and to universal livelihood, the Irish people lost control of their economic independence. This work by James Connolly who founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party designs a revolutionary plan for workers to reclaim every industry from the jurisdiction of the master class. The subjugation of Ireland rests on a financial reliance of the oppressed on the oppressor. Connolly outlines how the Irish Nation and the working class can combine their concerns into a policy which allows free intermingling of activities and goals. When this happens self determination will quicken the ambition of Irish people, and a new freedom will rise up to furnish true optimism and rugged purpose.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Irish Literature, Politics

100 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2004

About the author

James Connolly (Irish: Séamas Ó Conghaile) was an Irish socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day. Though proud of his Irish background, he also took a role in Scottish and American politics. He was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Reviews

[Aoife · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Connolly does it again. I found this even more readable and informative than Labour in Irish History. Again it is hard to not feel bitter for the fact we were robbed of this education by Irish capitalists. The chapter on Irish Women deeply struck a chord with me - it is quite emotive to think of how the long lineage of Irish Women before me suffered not just because of colonialism and capitalism, but the system of patriarchy that came along with it and left them particularly vulnerable.

Again really urge all Irish people to pick up some Connolly!

[Natú · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and fantastic read. Connolly traces the general contours of the conquest of Ireland and its structural results, but cleverly chooses to focus less on the fault lines one would expect (Ireland/England, Catholic/Protestant) and focuses his analysis on those social iniquities which highlight the essential class nature of Ireland's domination. He does this by showing the betrayal of the settler Protestant working class by the Protestant bourgeoisie, presenting an ahead-of-its-time material analysis of the role of women in Irish society, and more. He periodically contrasts the material realities with the narratives and arguments bolstering the conquest and the weak home-rule movement alike. In so doing, Connolly gives a compelling rallying call for collective ownership of the means of production that rejects any chauvinism and instead takes root in the mutual benefit of all working people in Ireland.

[Ryan McGonagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far my favourite of James Connolly's works.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I doubt you can read James Connolly and not come away inspired and enraged. In 90 pages Connolly lays bare the intentional creation of the miserable conditions of the average Irishmen, Catholic and Protestant, to profit a select few foreign conquerors. He then not only exposes the horrors of their rule in minute detail but does something very few writers do, provide real world examples and practical strategies of a different world and how to achieve it. He died living his beliefs in the Easter Rising but his legacy and insights are immortal. A must read

[Josh Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in capitalist Ireland in the early 1900’s isn’t so different from today. Still we fight for democratic rule of our industries. Still we fight for the right to healthcare, housing, and the deeply entrenched capitalist rule over our government, who chooses profits over people to this day.

“The fate of you, the aristocracy of industry, will be as the fate of the aristocracy of land, if you do not show that you have some humanity still among you. Humanity abhors, above all things, a vacuum in itself, and your class will be cut off from humanity as the surgeon cuts the cancer and the alien growth from the body, Be warned ere it is too late.”

“There was autocracy in political life, and it was superseded by democracy. So surely will democratic power wrest from you the control of industry.”

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read in the context of the current landlord government Ireland exists under - insane to see how aware Connolly was of problems that existed in Ireland at the time; that would come to exist in Ireland under the 'Rural Fundamentalism' of the post-independence government (particularly shocking to see how well his chapter titled 'Women' has aged; given the Magdalene Laundries); and the contemporary problems we continue to face today.

Some aspects read like they were indeed written in the 1910s (second wave feminism hadn't even happened; I don't think Connolly can be blamed for this); but the need for workers to recognise our shared struggles couldn't be more apparent.

[Oliver Greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why but I wasn’t expecting so much history, but it was very necessary for the point needed. James Connolly is goated, and a lot of passages in these chapters were too. Particularly enjoyed the section on women- communist feminism is always brilliantly written about, how women are doubly oppressed. Reminded me a lot of sankara. I do feel a lot of it was Chomsky-it in a way, describing a lot but not actually saying what is to be done for most of it. But Connolly did in fact do what needed to be done with his actions, so I’ll let it slide. Very good book to show the degradation of Ireland and its people, and how it is not Protestant v catholic, but workers v capitalists.

[Karolis Boop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked chapters 8 and 9 especially.

[Chlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless speaking of truth and potential. Would be a significant educational text if not for the imposition of capitalist systems and thought processes in schools. Rats!

[Stanzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly great, so informative and readable. I learned so much about Irish history throughout those pages. 10/10

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Amazing how much can still be applied today in Scotland