Dr Emmet O'Connor is one of Ireland's most eminent historians of labour, and author of the new biography Big Jim Larkin: Hero or Wrecker?, published by UCD Press. He lectures in the School of English and History at the University of Ulster. Emmet's previous works include A Labour History of Ireland 1824-2000.
On 23 April 1918, the Irish Trades Union Congress and Labour Party staged a general strike against conscription. The strike contributed to a big increase in trade union membership and gave Labour a leading role in the national movement over the coming months. But did it lead to the subordination of class to nation? This paper will examine Labour’s response to the conscription question from the outbreak of World War I to its decision in the final days of the war to withdraw from the 1918 general election.
The talk, which is organised by Maynooth University History Department, is open to staff, students and members of the public.
Prof. Marian Lyons, Department of History marian.lyons@mu.ie