
Fragments of Victory
The Contemporary Irish Left
Pluto Press
Published on 20. January 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-7453-4875-9 (ISBN)
Description
'Captures the sheer energy and diversity of the Irish left' - Conor McCabe
There 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.
There 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.
Reviews / Votes
'Activists in movements and the left often feel despair because they have never experienced successful mass struggles - unlike the Republic of Ireland. In 2014-16 working-class communities stopped the introduction of water charges through widespread direct action, while 2018 saw mass participation win abortion rights in the teeth of church power. Written by activists, this book tells these and other key stories of Irish movements and left groups as a key resource for struggles elsewhere' -- Laurence Cox, author of <i>We Make Our Own History: Marxism and Social Movements in the Twilight of Neoliberalism</i> 'A partisan work in the best sense of the term. The authors' sympathies only sharpen their critical analysis of the left's victories and defeats. There is much to learn here for those who seek to understand and change the world' -- Paul Murphy TD, People Before Profit 'This book captures the sheer energy and diversity of the Irish left at grassroot level and in key campaigns around housing, abortion rights, and public services, bringing clarity to a movement that is rarely given space to explain itself in the mainstream media' -- Conor McCabe, researcher and editor of <i>The Lost and Early Writings of James Connolly 1889-1898</i> "This book is an important reminder that change often comes only through grassroots campaigning, at times involving relatively small numbers and is often denounced by 'respectable' opinion." -- <i>Irish Times</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 140 mm
Width: 217 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
242 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-4875-9 (9780745348759)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Pluto Press
€23.49
Available for download
Persons
Oisin 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.
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.
Content
1. Introduction - Oisin 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 Maire Ni Chuagain
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 Oisin Gilmore
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 Maire Ni Chuagain
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 Oisin Gilmore