James Connolly was born in the Cowgate 150 years ago today

[The Harp Awakes]

The James Connolly stand has a certain ring to it

A hero and one of our own. Happy Birthday

[barcahibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I was pleasantly surprised to see Stanton's thread and his educated and incisive comments here, having assumed that the 150th anniversary of Connolly's birth would pass unnoticed on Hibs.net. Connolly was, indeed, one of the greatest and most influential thinkers that Edinburgh has produced and the lack of recognition of him by the city of his birth is both incredible and scandalous.
I would urge all those who know little about his life to do some reading - especially those such as Darlington, Barca and Keekaboo who are writing from a position of profound ignorance.
Connolly's position on the Great War was that it was a war of exploitation - to be fought by working people against each other for the benefit of their masters. He was proven to be absolutely correct on this. It was his very anti-sectarianism and internationalism which made him such a danger to the imperial British state. It isn't an accident that his legacy has been suppressed by the British Establishment. Had Connolly succeeded in 1916, there would have been no Irish civil war, no Partition, no Troubles, and no need for suffragettes to sacrifice themselves.
Re-naming a stand at Easter Road in his honour would reflect the origins of the club as a non-sectarian, working class institution founded to improve the lives the underprivileged - something of which every Hibs supporter today should be proud.
As a final note here, I have to confess that I myself knew absolutely nothing about James Connolly until I was thirty years old - despite having grown up in the city of his birth. My introduction to Connolly's writings came when I found, by accident, a pamphlet in a pub in Germany, of all places, and was astounded to learn that he had been born in the Cowgate. Is this not something which we should be putting right?

I'm not sure I've said anything on here that would reveal my personal feelings towards Connolly either for or against so I slightly resent being told I'm profoundly ignorant. As it happens I have skimmed around the issue in the past - Irish politics isn't something that particularly interests me - and I do have some personal opinions. But they've got nothing to do with Hibs or being a Hibs supporter so I'm not going to put them here.

But whether you're pro or against, it must be obvious there is a division. Any black and white, good and bad view on subjects like these are divisive.

Someone comes on here and alleges that General Sir John Maxwell was a Hibs Kid in his youth - do we name a stand after him too? Or maybe it comes out that Rudolf Hess actually flew over to Scotland because he had a season ticket in the East Stand (Hess purely chosen as an example of a prominent Nazi, so being an opposite to a prominent Marxist. See, even the fact that I'm having to caveat my attempts at humour shows the dangerous ground we're walking on.)

Note me saying divisive doesn't meant I don't agree with them - or even that I've got just one opinion on the whole grab bag of things that Connolly may or may not have believed in - just that there will certainly be some within the Hibs support who do disagree. I hate the idea of anyone being considered a 'lesser' Hibs supporter, or considered unwelcome because of political differences. Even worse that it's political differences from 100 years ago in another country. That's celtc/sevco behaviour.

[CathroMustStay]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There will be swathes of people living in Edinburgh who won't have heard of him.

Others who aren’t interested in socialism or Irish politics probably don’t care too much about / for him.

I’d imagine that these categories above account for the vast population of Edinburgh which might go some way to explain why there’s not more recognition of him?

Maybe the majority of the city over the years has just never shared the socialist views of Connolly then and Corbyn now?!

True, sadly Edinburgh does have far more individualist, right wing, unionist "I'm all right jack" cretins than it ought to have.

[ancient hibee]

And probably to many left wing,separist “I’m always right Jack”types as well.

[NAE NOOKIE]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I was pleasantly surprised to see Stanton's thread and his educated and incisive comments here, having assumed that the 150th anniversary of Connolly's birth would pass unnoticed on Hibs.net. Connolly was, indeed, one of the greatest and most influential thinkers that Edinburgh has produced and the lack of recognition of him by the city of his birth is both incredible and scandalous.
I would urge all those who know little about his life to do some reading - especially those such as Darlington, Barca and Keekaboo who are writing from a position of profound ignorance.
Connolly's position on the Great War was that it was a war of exploitation - to be fought by working people against each other for the benefit of their masters. He was proven to be absolutely correct on this. It was his very anti-sectarianism and internationalism which made him such a danger to the imperial British state. It isn't an accident that his legacy has been suppressed by the British Establishment. Had Connolly succeeded in 1916, there would have been no Irish civil war, no Partition, no Troubles, and no need for suffragettes to sacrifice themselves.
Re-naming a stand at Easter Road in his honour would reflect the origins of the club as a non-sectarian, working class institution founded to improve the lives the underprivileged - something of which every Hibs supporter today should be proud.
As a final note here, I have to confess that I myself knew absolutely nothing about James Connolly until I was thirty years old - despite having grown up in the city of his birth. My introduction to Connolly's writings came when I found, by accident, a pamphlet in a pub in Germany, of all places, and was astounded to learn that he had been born in the Cowgate. Is this not something which we should be putting right?

There is more chance of Hibs naming a stand at Easter Road after Billy Connolly than James Connolly ... in fact probably more of a chance.

James Connolly was a great man, a true socialist and social hero who upheld many of the values I subscribe to myself .... there is no doubt whatsoever that if it wasn't for his involvement in the Irish revolution he would be honoured and publicly recognised in his home city far more than he is ... as many have said, if it had been the American revolution and not the Irish one there would probably be a ten foot high statue of him in Princes street.

The absolute truth, like it or not, is that James Connolly is seen as a central figure in what the vast majority of the British population see as a sectarian conflict .... they see no difference between what happened in the south over 100 years ago and what was happening in Northern Ireland all through the latter half of the 20th century. If Hibs were to make any move to officially publicly associate the club with him, to 90% of the population ( even those with no interest in football ) the club would be perceived as nailing its colours to the mast on one side of the Irish sectarian issue .... it would be an absolute public relations disaster, no matter how well or how hard the club or independent historians tried to explain the true story of who and what James Connolly was.

As a free thinking, clean living, socially responsible resident of Edinburgh any Hibs fan who wants to cajole the local authorities into affording Mr Connolly the recognition which as an important Edinburgh born historical figure he certainly deserves then by all means knock yourself out ..... If you want to drag the football club you support into a world of hurt it doesn't need then by all means use them as a vehicle for your campaign.

[Kato]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'm not sure I've said anything on here that would reveal my personal feelings towards Connolly either for or against so I slightly resent being told I'm profoundly ignorant. As it happens I have skimmed around the issue in the past - Irish politics isn't something that particularly interests me - and I do have some personal opinions. But they've got nothing to do with Hibs or being a Hibs supporter so I'm not going to put them here.

But whether you're pro or against, it must be obvious there is a division. Any black and white, good and bad view on subjects like these are divisive.

Someone comes on here and alleges that General Sir John Maxwell was a Hibs Kid in his youth - do we name a stand after him too? Or maybe it comes out that Rudolf Hess actually flew over to Scotland because he had a season ticket in the East Stand (Hess purely chosen as an example of a prominent Nazi, so being an opposite to a prominent Marxist. See, even the fact that I'm having to caveat my attempts at humour shows the dangerous ground we're walking on.)

Note me saying divisive doesn't meant I don't agree with them - or even that I've got just one opinion on the whole grab bag of things that Connolly may or may not have believed in - just that there will certainly be some within the Hibs support who do disagree. I hate the idea of anyone being considered a 'lesser' Hibs supporter, or considered unwelcome because of political differences. Even worse that it's political differences from 100 years ago in another country. That's celtc/sevco behaviour.

The west stand could be named after Sir Tom Farmer and then you'd have a good balance. One named after a fine socialist and great communicator alongside a community minded capitalist, both erstwhile supporters of the club. It would represent that Hibs fans are a broad church.

[Kato]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Socialism - Stealing from the cans to give to the cants.

I think I'll pass.

Goodoh.

[NAE NOOKIE]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The west stand could be named after Sir Tom Farmer and then you'd have a good balance. One named after a fine socialist and great communicator alongside a community minded capitalist, both erstwhile supporters of the club. It would represent that Hibs fans are a broad church.

See, bringing bloody religion into it already !!!

[One Day Soon]

At our wedding my best man toasted us with a James Connolly quote to end his truly excellent speech. I loved it.

Connolly was an incredible figure, remarkable for his time and of significant historical importance and influence. His association with Hibernian is fascinating and it is absolutely legitimate to discuss him on .net

This thread should be moved to the Holy Ground however.

[Kato]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

See, bringing bloody religion into it already !!!

That's what Connolly always said.

https://mobile.twitter.com/b_mcgeeve...3456171008?p=v

[SideBurns]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I knew nothing of James Connolly until I happened across a "James Connolly" march in the early 90's.
I'm 43 now so was probably about 18 then. At the East end of Princes Street (what is now the Apple Store) the march came across a small hostile crowd, the hostile crowd had more than a few folk wearing Rangers tops and in the procession there was a few Hibs & Celtic tops.
In my naivety I thought this was like a role reversal of what you might find on the streets of Larkhall throughout the second week of July.
After a small skirmish during what was a traditionally busy Saturday afternoon up town I walked away, sightly glad of my ignorance.
The man himself might have been a great person but if 100+ years later folk are still scrapping over his birth then I'd like to be excused from the celebrations,,,,

The Connolly march used to face attacks from Huns of both the full-fat and diet variety. Ironic, really, given the amount of marches the Orange Order think they should be allowed to undertake in this country in homage to their weird so-called celebration of freedom of expression/ religious belief.

The only justification for keeping this on here rather than the HG, imo, is the argument over whether he should be honoured as a Hibs supporter. There are only 4 stands, and one is already named; given the people who have contributed massively to this club since 1875, to suggest naming a stand after a man who was a fan & ball boy seems ridiculous. Of course, Connolly should be more prominently honoured in his home city than a small plaque under a bridge. His role as a leader in the Easter Rising means that one of Edinburgh's greatest citizens will never receive the accolades he deserves here.

[The Tubs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There will be swathes of people living in Edinburgh who won't have heard of him.

Others who aren’t interested in socialism or Irish politics probably don’t care too much about / for him.

I’d imagine that these categories above account for the vast population of Edinburgh which might go some way to explain why there’s not more recognition of him?

Maybe the majority of the city over the years has just never shared the socialist views of Connolly then and Corbyn now?!

And there were probably many who hadn't heard of James Clerk Maxwell or Patrick Geddes until their statues were erected.

Whilst I don't think there should be a statue of him in Edinburgh at the moment - our society hasn't developed beyond associating such figures with Scottish sectarianism - I think that knowledge of illustrious former residents can only be a good thing.

[DR1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

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.

[Squirrel 1875]

James Connolly is remembered here in Dublin as a hero and a martyr. He is a man that stood against British imperialism that disproportionately subjugated a certain group of working class Irish citizens.

The brutal manner of his death captured the attention of the Irish working classes, the majority of whom were catholic and (surprisingly) against independence. The treatment of the leaders of the Easter Rising soon saw to that.

His ties to hibs should be celebrated and promoted, particularly in Ireland, so that people realize who were truly the club that represented the downtrodden Irish in the UK. It certainly wasn’t the canny businessmen that set up Glasgow Celtic.

[gillythehibby]

God Bless Connolly. A truley great Edinburgh born Socialist and Irish freedom fighter 🇳🇬🇳🇬

[Vini1875]

His name is already on the East Stand - in the stone plaques. A hero and one of our own as has already been said.

[monktonharp]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

And probably to many left wing,separist “I’m always right Jack”types as well.

oh my god

[The Modfather]

If folk wanted to do something independently to upgrade his plaque at the Cowgate or build a statue etc no problem with that. Wouldn’t be in favour of naming a stand after him though.

Someone mentioned he has a stone at one of the stands. I think that is fitting, alongside his fellow Hibs fans. There are hundreds of people more deserving of a stand being named after them for their contributions to Hibs the football club than James Connelly IMO.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

If folk wanted to do something independently to upgrade his plaque at the Cowgate or build a statue etc no problem with that. Wouldn’t be in favour of naming a stand after him though.

Someone mentioned he has a stone at one of the stands. I think that is fitting, alongside his fellow Hibs fans. There are hundreds of people more deserving of a stand being named after them for their contributions to Hibs the football club than James Connelly IMO.

Exactly. Big leap to calling for a stand to be named after him.

[blackpoolhibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I have no problem with those who want to celebrate Connolly, but this thread belongs on the Holy Ground because he was a political figure who happened to be a Hibs fan.

His actual involvement with our club was very small compared to many, many others who do not get the same level of recognition because they didn't have the same high profile political activism.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Which makes Connolly a political figure and not a football figure.

This is Holy Ground stuff.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

So what was his contribution to our club that was so special it deserves a mention on the football forum?

Keep the politics on the Holy Ground please.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There is more chance of Hibs naming a stand at Easter Road after Billy Connolly than James Connolly ... in fact probably more of a chance.

James Connolly was a great man, a true socialist and social hero who upheld many of the values I subscribe to myself .... there is no doubt whatsoever that if it wasn't for his involvement in the Irish revolution he would be honoured and publicly recognised in his home city far more than he is ... as many have said, if it had been the American revolution and not the Irish one there would probably be a ten foot high statue of him in Princes street.

The absolute truth, like it or not, is that James Connolly is seen as a central figure in what the vast majority of the British population see as a sectarian conflict .... they see no difference between what happened in the south over 100 years ago and what was happening in Northern Ireland all through the latter half of the 20th century. If Hibs were to make any move to officially publicly associate the club with him, to 90% of the population ( even those with no interest in football ) the club would be perceived as nailing its colours to the mast on one side of the Irish sectarian issue .... it would be an absolute public relations disaster, no matter how well or how hard the club or independent historians tried to explain the true story of who and what James Connolly was.

As a free thinking, clean living, socially responsible resident of Edinburgh any Hibs fan who wants to cajole the local authorities into affording Mr Connolly the recognition which as an important Edinburgh born historical figure he certainly deserves then by all means knock yourself out ..... If you want to drag the football club you support into a world of hurt it doesn't need then by all means use them as a vehicle for your campaign.

A stand named after him, FFS

I could name a hundred fans of the club who'd not deserve a stand named after them, but would deserve it more than him.

And that is ignoring our legendary players, who are too numerous to mention.

[Brizo]

A Coogate lad and Hibbie, Connolly truly is a local hero to many in the Hibs family and its quite right that his 150th anniversary should be acknowledged on here.

Connollys role in furthering workers rights both in his own city of birth, Ireland and the USA was a truly influential achievement. His central belief that the working class of all religions had more in common with each other than their masters and should work together to improve their conditions is the absolute opposite of sectarianism. He also had a healthy cynicism for organised religion, most notably when standing against his local parish priest in the Edinburgh council elections for the St Giles ward.

So when people come on here and knee jerk spout about "mini Celtic", "religion" and "sectarianism" it just shows the level of ignorance there is about him in his own city. For them id suggest having a read of "The Life and Times of James Connolly" by Desmond C Greaves which not only details his political achievements but also the abject poverty and hardship faced by the community which founded our club.

I don't think he should have a stand named after him but i do think he deserves more mainstream recognition in his own city than the plaque in the Cowgate.

[heretoday]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Well said, keep religion out.

Hear Hear.

[One Day Soon]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

oh my god

Oh my God.

[Pretty Boy]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

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?

[offshorehibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

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

The Life and Times of James Connolly: Charles Desmond Greaves

Although they're usually pretty pricey

[DR1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

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]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

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'.

[gillythehibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

A Coogate lad and Hibbie, Connolly truly is a local hero to many in the Hibs family and its quite right that his 150th anniversary should be acknowledged on here.

Connollys role in furthering workers rights both in his own city of birth, Ireland and the USA was a truly influential achievement. His central belief that the working class of all religions had more in common with each other than their masters and should work together to improve their conditions is the absolute opposite of sectarianism. He also had a healthy cynicism for organised religion, most notably when standing against his local parish priest in the Edinburgh council elections for the St Giles ward.

So when people come on here and knee jerk spout about "mini Celtic", "religion" and "sectarianism" it just shows the level of ignorance there is about him in his own city. For them id suggest having a read of "The Life and Times of James Connolly" by Desmond C Greaves which not only details his political achievements but also the abject poverty and hardship faced by the community which founded our club.

I don't think he should have a stand named after him but i do think he deserves more mainstream recognition in his own city than the plaque in the Cowgate.

This. Excellent post 👍🇳🇬