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'Written by activists, this book tells stories of Irish movements and left groups as a key resource for struggles elsewhere' Laurence Cox, author of
We Make Our Own History'The authors' sympathies sharpen their critical analysis of the left's victories and defeats. There is much to learn here' Paul Murphy TD, People Before Profit
'Captures the sheer energy and diversity of the Irish left at grassroot level and in key campaigns' Conor McCabe, researcher and editor of
The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly 1889-1898There is much to learn from modern leftwing activism in Ireland. A rich tapestry of movements, including republicans, social democrats, trade unions, Trotskyists and anarchists, have battled neoliberalism and austerity with vigour, frustration, success and failure.
Fragments of Victory charts these political currents, from the difficult early years of anti-austerity campaigning to the seismic victory of 'Repeal' - the campaign for women's reproductive rights. Each chapter covers a different campaign or group, written by leading activists who provide insiders' perspectives on how history was made, and share valuable insights that can be applied to international movements everywhere.
Oisín Gilmore is Senior Economist at TASC (Thinktank for Action on Social Change) in Dublin, Ireland. He has participated in various social movements in Ireland, Britain and continental Europe.
David Landy is Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin. He is the author of
Jewish Identity and Palestinian Rights, and co-editor of
Enforcing Silence: Academic Freedom and Criticism of Israel.
List of contents
1. Introduction - Oisín Gilmore and David Landy
Part I: Campaigns
2. Anti-Austerity Struggles 2008-13 - by David Landy
3. Water Charges - by Dave Gibney
4. Abortion - by Aileen O'Carroll and Máire Ni Chuagáin
5. Housing - by Juliana Sassi, Seamus Farrell, Rosi Leonard and Aisling Hedderman
Part II: Organisations
6. Trade Unions - by Mary Muldowney
7. The Centre Left - by Paul Dillon
8. Anarchism - by Kevin Doyle
9. Trotskyism - by David Landy
10. Republicanism - by Dan Finn, Stewart Reddin and Damian Lawlor
11. Conclusion - by Oisín Gilmore
About the author
Oisín Gilmore is Senior Economist at TASC (Thinktank for Action on Social Change) in Dublin, Ireland. He has participated in various social movements in Ireland, Britain and continental Europe.
David Landy is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology in Trinity College Dublin and Director of the MPhil in Race, Ethnicity, Conflict. He has written for Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies, and Social Movement Studies on the water charges movement, Irish anti-racism and Palestinian solidarity. He is the author of Jewish Identity and Palestinian Rights, and co-editor of Enforcing Silence: Academic Freedom and Criticism of Israel.
Summary
Inspiring insiders’ accounts of modern Irish activism under austerity and beyond
