An interview between Johnny Flynn and Ciarán O Rourke, author of a new collection of essays on art and politics JOHNNY FLYNN: Will we start with that quote from your essay on Martín Chambi? You say that what most attracted you to artists in particular, and their techniques, is that they “draw on their chosen […]
Irish writers show solidarity with jailed Indian poet Varavara Rao
The Indian poet Varavara Rao was arrested and jailed in the aftermath of a violent protest at Bhima Koregan on 1 January 2018. Alongside ten other defendants, Varavara Rao denies all the charges raised against him. The elderly poet contracted COVID-19 while in prison and has been over two years in jail under appalling conditions […]
Socialism and Sinn Féin
“Sinn Fein has won the election,” declared party leader Mary Lou McDonald (with some justice) in early February, as results confirmed that for the first time in the history of the Irish State, neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael had achieved a clear majority or path to forming the next government, while “Ireland’s left-wing nationalist […]
Independent Left Reply to People Before Profit
Socialists and left unity in Ireland 2020 To members of People Before Profit, We commend your initiative, ‘let’s bring the left together to fight this government’. Although the formation of a conservative government is a threat to working class communities, it is a threat that we can meet. The fact that Fianna Fáil and Fine […]
Pulling down Statues in Ireland
By Shane McNally On 7 June 2020 the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol was toppled and then thrown in the harbour by Black Lives Matter Protestors Black Lives Matter. A call for something so simple such as the basic right to live should not need to be the cry of a movement in the […]