Irish historian David Convery on the tour gave group this brilliant, nuanced summary (re-recorded after) of Irish Brigaders, their relationship to Catholicism and the Irish who fought for Franco. His book on Ireland and the Spanish Civil War is hopefully coming soon.
Friends of the International Brigades in Ireland.
We have done done tours with large numbers of descendants of International Brigaders from around the world. In the photo fond memories of doing a tour in Barcelona 2018 with lovely people of We’re standing in front of Plaça del Milicià Desconegut with Republican flag and Gaelic words ‘Cairde na hÉireann de na Briogáidí Idirnáisiúnta”
Belfast and the Spanish Civil War
Part of the striking stained glass window in Belfast city hall commemorating the International Brigades. 48 mainly working class men volunteered from the city – from both sides of the divide.
Shankill road memorial
Mural in the Shankill road area, Belfast to 2 of the 7 men from the Protestant working class community who fought against Franco in the International Brigades, 4 of whom died. Thanks to @mkrupanski for sending me this 2014 photo.
Resources
Trafalgar Square, London, 1938. Banner reads “Irish Republicans greet Spanish Republicans. Smash all imperialisms”
Podcast series Brigadistas: Ireland and the Spanish Civil War (very well researched and produced).
This is an excellent documentary: Brigadista – Irish Brigade in the Spanish Civil War if you can find it.
Christy Moore’s song is superb – best in my opinion in English about the war: Christy Moore – Viva la Quinta Brigada. Live at Barrowland (Glasgow)
1970s TV Documentary “Even the Olives are Bleeding” if you can find it.
Books
- Bob Doyle’s biography is a great memoir of an Irish Brigader: Brigadista: an Irishman’s fight against fascism
- On the 7 volunteers from Limerick: From the Shannon to the Ebro, the story of the Limerick men who fought Franco in the Spanish Civil War.
Articles
On the Irish who fought for Franco