In this episode we’re joined by Charles Tuba to discuss the book Ruairí Ó Brádaigh: The Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary, by Robert White (Indiana University Press, 2006). The discussion looks at Ó Brádaigh’s strand of Republicanism, and in particular the policies of abstentionism and the Éire Nua policy outlining a federal Irish state.

This is one of a series of episodes centred on particular books, to discuss key issues in the history of the Irish Left and Republicanism. We’ve spoken to Charles previously in episode 25 when we discussed Official Irish Republicanism, by Seán Swan, and also heard about Charles’ own political background and interest in Irish Republican history, including visiting Ireland and finding himself inadvertently on a Republican Sinn Féin march.

The discussion mentions the Éire Nua policy which you’ll find in the archive: Éire Nua

There are further editions, including from Republican Sinn Féin, listed under the Éire Nua subject heading.

Listeners may also be interested in the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis ’86 Clár agus Rúin: Sinn Féin Ard Fheis ’86: Clár agus Rúin

Update: The discussion looks at the issue of abstensionism at national level while participating in local government. Thanks to listener Gearóid Clár for noting that the position of Ó Brádaigh, outlined in White’s book, was that local government does not claim sovereignty over the area administered, whereas the Dáil does.

Update 2: Since this episode was released, we moved to a new podcast platform to which existing comments couldn’t easily be migrated. We don’t wish to remove considered and critical responses to the podcast and have made the original feedback available on our website.