Kildare Council of Unions and SIPTU Meath District Council

present

Recalling Labour’s Role in theStruggle for Independence

Supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

under the Decade of Centenaries programme.Athy Public Library, Convent Lane,

Co. KildareSaturday, October 5th

12.00 pm Welcome and Opening by

12.05 pm Introduction to the Day’s Event Adrian Kane, SIPTU Divisional Organiser

Part One: The Farm Labourers Dispute of 1919, the Local Story and Its Legacy

12.15 pm – Francis Devine ‘The Farm Labourer’s12.45 pm Dispute of 1919’

12.55 pm – Joe Supple ‘Christy Supple, fighting for labour in the new Republic

1.20 pm - Fintan Walsh ‘The cultural legacy of 1.45 pm early forms of labour organisation in Athy’

2.00 pm – Break For Lunch2.45 pm

Part 2: Contextualising the Role of Labour in the Fight for a New Republic

2.45pm – Heather Laird ‘The Irish Agricultural Labourer 3.05 pm in History and Literature’ 3.10 pm – Donal Hassett ‘The forgotten role of Labour 3.45 pm in the Struggle for Algerian Independence’

3.45 pm – Conor Kostick ‘Soviets, general strikes and 4.05 pm trade unions in the War of Independence (1919 – 1921)’ 4.15 pm – Panel Discussion4.45 pm

4.55 pm Closing Remarks Adrian Kane, SIPTU Divisional Organiser

Bread & RosesThroughout the course of the day the papers and

discussions will be interspersed with a number of

cultural activities:

Poetry will be provided by, Athy native, Denise Curtin.

Ken O’Duffy and Dan O’Neill will provide the music and

local Athy rap artist Tommy See? will provide some good

vibes. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.

The event will finish no later than 5pm.

All are welcome! Join us on what will be a day of lively

discussion, good music and poetry, in a friendly

atmosphere in one of the great late modernist buildings

of Ireland, Athy’s Community Library, Convent Lane,

Athy, Co. Kildare.

The event is being supported by the Department of

Culture to commemorate ‘The Role of Labour, Gender

and Class in the Struggle for Independence’ and is

being sponsored by Kildare Council of Unions and

SIPTU’s Meath District Council.

Chair of Athy Municipal District, Cllr. Mark Wall