Pete, InOBU is right on the mark. I have studied Connolly in depth, as he is very special to me. To say he was a socialist is to oversimplify. Connolly believed in Ireland's Wealth for Ireland's People. This is why he was so opposed to the British Government, they took the wealth while Irish people starved. He, in fact did go to NYC, learn Italian, organize dockworkers, and get out (like Larkin) before he was jailed for sedition. He went back to Dublin, formed the Irish Citizens Army, and the rest is history. He was, arguably, the most important cog in the Rising.

The above is a vastly oversimplified version, but in the main it is true. There is a James Connolly Society, and if you enter his name in your Internet search engine, you will find your way to it.

My interest in him is due to the fact that I am Irish American, a labor organizer, and my Granda always spoke of both Connolly and Larkin with the utmost reverence. I do a presentation in story and song on him for various Irish clubs on request.

Now, let us get back to the thread subject.