The 96th anniversary of Irish revolutionary James Connolly’s execution will be commemorated at an event at his former Falls Road home this weekend. On Saturday, members of the James Connolly Society will gather at the house where the 1916 patriot lived during his stay in Belfast.
Jim McVeigh, Chairperson of the Belfast branch of the James Connolly Society, told the Andersonstown News what exactly will take place on Saturday.
“The event is to mark the death of James Connolly,” he said. “The main speaker will be Jimmy Kelly, the leader of the Unite union in Ireland. There will also be some street theatre and music and we will be unveiling a new mural by Danny Devenny nearby to commemorate the anniversary of Connolly’s death.”
Anyone with an interest in James Connolly’s life is welcome to attend, added Jim.
“We are calling on trade unionists and socialists, republicans and anyone else with an interest in James Connolly, his politics or workers’ rights, or people who want to know more about the time he spent in Belfast to come along to the event,” he said. “This house is a very important historical site in West Belfast and we want people to know that someone of such importance lived here.
“James Connolly is still relevant today, with the austerity agenda sweeping Europe and the globe. His politics have added value to more and more people.”
The event is taking place at 1pm on Saturday afternoon (May 12) outside the Falls Road house where James Connolly resided during his Belfast years prior to 1916. The house is located opposite the main entrance to the City Cemetery at the bottom of the Whiterock.
