The Week at Work

Final part of a three week session on Irish radical and working class history, that was held in the Spark in Phibsboro in April. The main theme today is the “social question” and what that meant in terms of Irish radicalism in the 19th century.It brings up writers such as Agnes Henry, Anna Doyle Wheeler, Bronterre O’Brien, William Sharman Crawford, and Eleanor Marx.More details and links to works by these writers can be found at conor-mccabe.com.

Third of four recordings made in the Spark, Phibsboro, in April 2025, dealing with Irish radical and working class history. Topics in this episode include Repeal and Chartism, Daniel O'Connell as a 19th century neoliberal, and working class resistance to the extractive, colonial, mode of production.

Second of three workshops held in the Spark, Phibsborough. Recorded on 10 April 2025 and continues the themes of the previous week, looking at historical materialism. Topics include Engels, Mao, Peadar O'Donnell, Brian O'Neill, The Ripening of Time Collective, and Mahdi Amel and the pitfalls of underdevelopment/world systems theory when applied to Ireland.

Recording of the first of three workshops on Irish radical history, held in The Spark, Phibsborough, 3 April 2025. The series will focus in on Marxism and history, Irish class consciousness and class struggle, and pioneer Irish socialists of the 19th century. Slides from the workshop available here - https://conor-mccabe.com/2025/04/04/irish-radical-history-no-1/

This week Dave and Conor discuss the European Court of Justice ruling that Ireland is owed €13.8bn in taxes due to illegal state aid. What are the implications for Ireland, and how does this illustrate the nature of the Irish comprodor economic system? If you want to support us, go to www.leftbloc.ie or www.patreon.com/leftbloc And don't forget to book your ticket for Scoil Cois Claí: https://leftbloc.ie/scoil-chois-clai-2024/

This week on the podcast, Clare and Michelle are joined by Stiofán O Nualláin to discuss Northern Ireland and British Elections Imperialist Labour Party Gaza Genocide Garda Violence Pilot Strikes Mass evictions from Direct Provision Centres & Much More!

This week Dave and Conor take a look at the EU and local elections where they review the performance of the parties, the media campaign and the strategies of the left. They also discuss, where to next... where will "left unity" come from?

On this weeks show, Dave, Conor and Michelle discuss: The Housing Commission Report The recognition of Palestine The Dublin 8 Artwork Project The EU Elections The real cost of a United Ireland

This week Dave and Clare talk to Conor Reddy about the ongoing Trinity College Dublin encampment and protests against complicity with Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Conor is a member of the Postgraduate Workers' Organisation of Ireland and a People Before Profit candidate in the upcoming local elections. Also discussed: Threats from Amazon Ireland if we don’t allow more data centres Shortages of energy and water Leila Doolin skydiving for Gaza on her 90th birthday (https://tinyurl.com/LeilasJump) Decriminalising drugs And much more…

This Week Clare and Michelle discuss Stardust Verdict Bloody Sunday Palestine - West Bank violence increasing - - Protests against weapons through Shannon for Israel. - Columbia students encampment - Banning of people speaking languages at protests - Google workers sacked for protesting Googles role in apartheid. - Communication Workers Union motion on An Post members not handling Israeli mail. - Eir and An Post workers pay rises - Unite policy conference - Labour Party Councillor brought to WRC - Josip Strok, Roderick O Gorman, IPO, policing, elections and the far right Hands - Ireland seeking to abandon ‘triple lock’