Jim Connell

Above legendary miners' leader Arthur Scargill addressing the crowd at this years event.

On May 2nd 2010 I attended the annual Jim Connell Commemoration Parade in Crossakiel.  It was the 12th annual event and my first time to be there and I must say, if the Lord spares me, it won't be my last.

At a meeting in Kilskyre Hall 28th March 1997 a committee was set up with a view to erecting a memorial to the famous son of Kilskyre, Jim Connell, who was born there in 1852.  On 26th April 1998 a monument to Jim Connell was unveiled  in Crossakiel, Co. Meath, Ireland on the spot where he addressed a crowd of 600 in 1918.

Jim Connell wrote the Song " The Red Flag " in 1889 while travelling on a train between Charing Cross and New Cross in London.  It was written first to a tune called " The White Cockade " a lively Jacobite anthem but was later set to the music " Tannenbaum " and old German hymn.  It quickly became the anthem of the International Labour Movement. 
To hear Cllr Dermot Looney singing the Red Flag on the day CLICK HERE

For more songs of Irish Labour CLICK HERE

Pictured above Michael "The Sheriff " Sheils.

Photo by John Doyle.

John Doyle has travelled the length and breath of the country covering occasions and events. He has a great collection of photographs which can be bought from his site. So if you were at a particular event and would like to have some photos why not visit his site he just might have what you're looking for CLICK HERE   

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