About
Dr. Conor McCabe is an author and historian, currently editing the complete works of James Connolly. He works mainly with grassroots political, trade union, artist, and community groups, exploring the dynamics of theory and action for societal change.
Main written works:
Sins of the Father: The Decisions that Shaped the Irish Economy. 2nd edition. Dublin: History Press, 2013.
The Double Transition: The Economic and Political Transition of Peace. Belfast: Trademark, 2013.
Money (Sireacht: Longings for Another Ireland). Cork: Cork University Press, 2018.
Hungry Bellies are not Equal to Full Bellies: Exploring inequality and deprivation in Ireland. Unite the Union, 2021
Towards an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Clare. Clare PPN, 2022.
Smoke and Mirrors: the Facts about Retail Workers’ Incomes in Ireland. Mandate Trade Union, 2023
Edited Works
James Connolly. The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly, 1889-1898. Edited by Conor McCabe. Iskra Books, 2024.
Talks and Slides:
Online at Slideshare
Radical Walks:
A Radical Walk Through the Financial Flows of Dublin
From St. Stephen’s Green to the Cobblestone
Conor McCabe 
Hi Conor, a quick question: someone mentioned a James Connolly lecture tour of Britain in 1910 or 1913, which included about 10 venues including Bolton (!) – possibly a Labour in Irish History’ tour. I’m trying to find the locations as part of a potential grant bid. Do you know any details or where I might find more information?
Hi Paul, Connolly undertook a lecture tour of Britain in the autumn of 1910. I have only found dates in Scotland but I’m sure there are more. It wasn’t part of a labour in Irish history tour but altogether more mundane – lecturing was his main source of income at the time. He had returned to Ireland that summer on the promise of work as national organiser for the socialist party of Ireland but funds were not forthcoming in the end so he fell back on the paid socialist lecture circuit in Britain. The dates I’ve come across so far are:
25 September 1910 – Arbroath
2 October 1910 – Glasgow
10 October 1910 – Broxburn
27 October 1910 – Linlithgowshire
7 May 1911 – Wishaw
He finally got full-time work with the ITGWU in the summer of 1911 and that pretty much tied him to Ireland from then on. However, he did take part in talks related to the 1913 Lockout – along with Jim Larkin and British and American labour leaders. Three of the dates I know about are:
1 November 1913 – Albert Hall, London (lockout fundraiser)
16 November 1913 – Free Trade Hall, Manchester
28 November 1913 – Birmingham – with Big Bill Hayood and Larkin
I know of at least one lecture Connolly gave in Bolton, but it was in August 1895. However, from 1894 until 1903 Connolly gave dozens of lectures across Britain – London, Manchester, Liverpool, Salford, Glawsow and Edinburgh, among others. They have not been researched to any great degree, apart from a report of his Salford lectures in the British Labour History journal and in the Irish Democrat.
The best sources for lecture dates and topics are the Clarion, and the Labour Leader.
Hope that helps!
Hi Conor, a treasure trove of information and sources. Thank you. Paul