James Connolly was born in the Cowgate 150 years ago today

[Stanton]

Son of Irish immigrants
Childhood Hibs fan
Socialist
trade union organiser
writer and thinker
leader of the Irish Citizen Army raised to resist the police brutality aimed at the workers during the Dublin lockout of 1913
Signatory of the proclamation of Irish Independence
revolutionary and soldier
executed tied to a chair in 1916 for his role in the Easter Rising

Irish National Hero
Hero of the Working Class
largely ignored in his home city

[Canon Hannan]

James Connolly Stand surely instead of the South Stand?
Sevco fans would love sitting there 😁

[Stanton]

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James Connolly Stand surely instead of the South Stand?
Sevco fans would love sitting there 😁

[One Day]

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James Connolly Stand surely instead of the South Stand?
Sevco fans would love sitting there 😁

Might not need to cut their allocation they'll do it themselves

[DarlingtonHibee]

Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

[Elephant Stone]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

What has that got to do with anything that has been said so far?

[Keith_M]

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What has that got to do with anything that has been said so far?

I realise Connolly is a hero to many but I think we should stick to celebrating those that mean something to Hibs for purely football reasons, not trying to associate ourselves with a long gone, potentially divisive political figure.

Let's leave arguments about Irish Political figures to Rantic, irrespective of where they were born or which team they supported as a kid.

[Elephant Stone]

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I realise Connolly is a hero to many but I think we should stick to celebrating those that mean something to Hibs for purely football reasons, not trying to associate ourselves with a long gone, potentially divisive political figure.

Let's leave arguments about Irish Political figures to Rantic, irrespective of where they were born or which team they supported as a kid.

The person I quoted said something about wanting us to be open to anyone of any race or colour. I don't see how that has anything to do with what's being discussed and I think that - as well as using the phrase 'mini Celtic' - is pretty reductive and insulting.

[superbam]

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The person I quoted said something about wanting us to be open to anyone of any race or colour. I don't see how that has anything to do with what's being discussed and I think that - as well as using the phrase 'mini Celtic' - is pretty reductive and insulting.

Indeed and anyone even vaguely familiar with Connolly's life and works would be aware that he embodied those very principles.

I find it genuinely sad that some folks can only view Connolly through the prism of old firm jingoism and therefore get all jumpy about celebrating or even being interested in one of Edinburgh's greatest sons, whose entire manifesto was the very antithesis of sectarian nonsense. **** celtic and the huns, they dont get to cast a shadow on the history of our city like that.

[The Harp]

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I realise Connolly is a hero to many but I think we should stick to celebrating those that mean something to Hibs for purely football reasons, not trying to associate ourselves with a long gone, potentially divisive political figure.

Let's leave arguments about Irish Political figures to Rantic, irrespective of where they were born or which team they supported as a kid.

Surely this thread is a recognition of a socialist who is held in high esteem by many at home and abroad, on his 150th anniversary. Connolly, even in his later years maintained his interest in, and his love of, the Hibs.
Can't see the harm in honouring his memory by having a thread on Hibs.net.

[BullsCloseHibs]

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What has that got to do with anything that has been said so far?

Darlington hibs will hopefully be embarrassed when /if he ever chooses to read up on JC and all he did. Bandwagon central!!

[Stanton]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

Agreed and something Connolly was a great advocate of ......not a sectarian bone in his body
A staunch supporter of the working class whether they be Belfast Protestants or Dublin Catholics
Dont fall for the monstrous untruth that ties people like Connolly to sectarianism , that is one of the main things Connolly fought against ....because he saw Britain dividing the Irish along religious lines in order to divide and rule ....he was fighting for the working class and against imperialism

[Stanton]

Darlington Hibee here is James Connolly featuring on the Durham Miners Banner

IMG_4316.jpg

IMG_4316.jpg

[crash]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

Despite providing us with your background to give your comments some credence, you clearly do not know what you are talking about. This has nothing to do with Celtic, who you have introduced into the conversation to have a sideways swipe at. They are also an all inclusive club, just like us.

[superbam]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

Can you explain what exactly James Connolly has to do with celtic, or religion please? Genuinely curious about where you are coming from....!

[The Baldmans Comb]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

What does any of this this have to do with the 150th birthday of James Connolly or Celtic or religion.?

A truly great man who died for his beliefs but his legacy now lives on through the rich and hugely respected country of Ireland.

Being a Hibs ball boy and Hibs supporter is the very least of his achievements but nonetheless worth a footnote in his historical relevance.

[CMurdoch]

This thread should be on the Holy Ground forum rather than the main football forum.

[The Tubs]

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This thread should be on the Holy Ground forum rather than the main football forum.

I dunno. It’s a wee bit like talking about the proclaimers or Andy Murray.

[CMurdoch]

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I dunno. It’s a wee bit like talking about the proclaimers or Andy Murray.

The difference is that both are relevant now and linked to Hibs.
The Proclaimers are inextricably linked to Hibs through "Sunshine on Leith" & Andy Murray is our countries greatest ever sportsman.

[The Tubs]

I would love to see a film telling his story, especially if they could involve the foundation of Hibs in his childhood.

Does Irvine Welsh not fancy calling some of his Hollywood buddies and getting them on the case?

[BullsCloseHibs]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

Yip, tin hat a good idea because what you've said is guff. JC has nothing to do with the team from the west. Keep it Hibs, please. Why DO people turn these stories on their heads!!

[DR1875]

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Tin hat on hear, I have read a great deal about Ireland from 1916 through to the troubles and the peace process, have worked in various cities both North and south, and my grandparents were from dublin.

As a Hibs fan we should always respect our heritage, but I don't want us to be a mini Celtc.

We are an all inclusive club no matter race, creed or religion.

Well said, keep religion out.

[heretoday]

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Well said, keep religion out.

Hear Hear.

[Pretty Boy]

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Well said, keep religion out.

Has anyone actually brought religion 'in'? Apart from the 2 or 3 people demanding it be kept 'out' that is?

[hibbyboy1]

James connelly was a freedom fighter like many before and after him. Hibs fan and folk singer Kevin gore mentions him other's in this song. https://youtu.be/YnMsX5GZKoo

[green leaves]

anybody recommend a decent book about him and/or the events leading to Irish independence?

[DR1875]

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Has anyone actually brought religion 'in'? Apart from the 2 or 3 people demanding it be kept 'out' that is?

Although his lifes work was to defend the poor and gain humanitarian and working rights for people in so much poverty his legacy will always be aligned with the Irish Catholic struggle against the British government. When they now March around with Irish flags in Edinburgh in his honour these days, people who see this only think that it the opposite of the Orange mob doing the same unfortunately and the religious connotations that it has. That's why I mentioned religion and to remove it from the clubs forward thinking attitudes.

[Pretty Boy]

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Although his lifes work was to defend the poor and gain humanitarian and working rights for people in so much poverty his legacy will always be aligned with the Irish Catholic struggle against the British government. When they now March around with Irish flags in Edinburgh in his honour these days, people who see this only think that it the opposite of the Orange mob doing the same unfortunately and the religious connotations that it has. That's why I mentioned religion and to remove it from the clubs forward thinking attitudes.

Do the JCS still march? Genuine question as I was under the impression they had decided to stop marching a few years back and now have a small gathering each year in the Cowgate.

I know there are a few Republican flute bands still try to get out and annoy people around this time but I don't think they are 'official'.

[Stanton]

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Although his lifes work was to defend the poor and gain humanitarian and working rights for people in so much poverty his legacy will always be aligned with the Irish Catholic struggle against the British government. When they now March around with Irish flags in Edinburgh in his honour these days, people who see this only think that it the opposite of the Orange mob doing the same unfortunately and the religious connotations that it has. That's why I mentioned religion and to remove it from the clubs forward thinking attitudes.

Not having a go at you personally here my friend but once again here lies the myth and ignorance of Irelands desire for self determination. It is not and never has been an Irish Catholic struggle. There was a struggle forcatholic emancipation and the discontinuation of the catholic penal laws in Ireland but that was a generally peaceful mass movement under Daniel O'Connell and not geared towards independence , purely geared towards law change and equality for Catholics.

Irelands struggle for independence has NEVER been linked to Catholicism. Prominent Protestants have featured and played most important roles throughout. In fact the RC church was often at odds and in dispute with physical force Republicans.
Prominent Protestants fighting for Ireland against Britain included, Theobald Wolfe-Tone , Robert Emmet , Bulmer Hobson , Countess Markievicz , Jack White ( Deputy to Connolly in the Irish citizen Army ) , Roger Casement ( executed 1916 ) , Robert erskine Childers , Robert Barton , Ernest Blythe , Sam Maguire ( the GAA play each year for the Sam Maguire cup ) , Douglas Hyde ( first president of the Irish Republic ) .....even up to the more recent conflict , Protestants killed fighting on the Irish Republican side include David Russell , John Turnley , Ronnie Bunting , Noel Lyttle and Tom Berry.

Highlighting this fact doesn't fit in with the " sectarian narrative " we are fed by our media.

[superfurryhibby]

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Son of Irish immigrants
Childhood Hibs fan
Socialist
trade union organiser
writer and thinker
leader of the Irish Citizen Army raised to resist the police brutality aimed at the workers during the Dublin lockout of 1913
Signatory of the proclamation of Irish Independence
revolutionary and soldier
executed tied to a chair in 1916 for his role in the Easter Rising

Irish National Hero
Hero of the Working Class
largely ignored in his home city

He has a plaque commemorating where he was born.

the fact that he was the leader of an attempted revolution against the British State during WW1 may preclude the city fathers of Edinburgh ever raising a statue to him though?

I also suppose that he is best known for his contribution to the development of trade unions in the USA and for his role in the Easter uprising, rather than his contribution to Edinburgh life might be a factor too.

Edit: having just been reading more about Connolly, it’s fair to say he contributed on Scottish basis and as a true internationalist.

I’ll raise a glass to him. His book “Socialism made Easy” certainly help focus my adolescent beliefs on the certainty that equality and social justice were worthy causes.