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Saoradh

2026-08-12T16:21:07Z

64.43.45.28: Initial stub, red links will be fixed

{{Infobox political party
|name=Saoradh
|founded=24 September 2016
|political_orientation=[[Irish republicanism]] Revolutionary socialism [[Anti-imperialism]]
|position=[[Left-wing]]
|website=https://saoradh.irish/
}}

{{Stub}}

'''Saoradh''' (Irish for "Liberation") is a revolutionary socialist and [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] political party organised throughout [[Ireland]]. It was founded on 24 September 2016 by republican activists from several tendencies, including former members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, Republican Sinn Féin and the [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=About Us|url=https://saoradh.irish/about-us}}</ref><ref>{{News citation|author=Connla Young|newspaper=The Irish News|title=New 'revolutionary' republican party Saoradh launched|date=2016-09-26|url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2016/09/26/news/new-revolutionary-republican-party-saoradh-launched-708613/}}</ref>

Saoradh seeks the establishment of a 32-county [[socialism|socialist republic]], free from British rule and [[European Union]] interference.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=Saoradh - The Irish Revolutionary Republican Socialist Party|url=https://saoradh.irish/}}</ref> It regards the partition of Ireland as a product of [[British imperialism]] and argues that Irish labour and natural resources remain subordinated to international capital. The party rejects the political institutions created under partition, arguing that an assembly cannot legitimately represent Ireland unless elected by the people of the entire island.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=About Us|url=https://saoradh.irish/about-us}}</ref>

The party identifies [[Wolfe Tone]], [[James Connolly]], Liam Mellows, [[Seamus Costello]] and Bobby Sands as political inspirations and describes the struggle for Irish national liberation and socialism as the "Unfinished Revolution".<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=About Us|url=https://saoradh.irish/about-us}}</ref> Saoradh also identifies itself with [[anti-fascism]], anti-racism and anti-colonialism, regarding attempts by the [[far-right]] to appropriate Irish republican imagery as contrary to the historic struggle for national liberation.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=Smash The Fash!|date=2025-11-21|url=https://saoradh.irish/international-department/f/smash-the-fash}}</ref>

Saoradh is abstentionist and rejects participation in Dáil Éireann and the Northern Ireland Assembly. It has been particularly critical of [[Sinn Féin]] for accepting the institutions created by the Good Friday Agreement and participating in the administration of the partitioned state.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland and several media organizations have alleged that Saoradh is the political wing or "political voice" of the New IRA. Saoradh denies any organizational relationship with the New IRA or other armed organizations. New IRA prisoners have, however, publicly expressed support for Saoradh, and a number of individuals associated with the party have also been accused by British authorities of involvement with the organization.<ref>{{News citation|author=Marisa McGlinchey|newspaper=The Guardian|title='While there's British interference, there's going to be action': why a hardcore of dissident Irish republicans are not giving up|date=2021-07-22|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/jul/22/dissident-irish-republicans-new-ira-continuity-belfast-lyra-mckee}}</ref>

== Ideology ==

Saoradh combines revolutionary [[Irish republicanism]] with socialism and [[anti-imperialism]]. The party argues that national liberation cannot be separated from social liberation and that an independent capitalist Ireland would not constitute the completion of the Irish revolution. It calls for the ownership of Ireland's wealth and wealth-producing mechanisms by the Irish people and opposes the domination of the country by British and international capital.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=About Us|url=https://saoradh.irish/about-us}}</ref>

Saoradh rejects [[reformism]], arguing that British imperialism and capitalist exploitation cannot be defeated through the institutions established to administer the existing political order. At its 2022 Ard Fheis, the party reaffirmed its revolutionary socialist orientation and warned against becoming trapped in a "reformist cul de sac".<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Saoradh|title=Saoradh Ard Fheis Report|date=2022-11-16|url=https://saoradh.irish/international-department/f/saoradh-ard-fheis-report}}</ref>

The party is opposed to the [[European Union]], which it regards as an imperialist institution. It supported Britain's withdrawal from the EU while rejecting British unionism, arguing that Brexit represented a defeat for the political and business establishment of Britain, Ireland and Europe.<ref>{{News citation|author=Dieter Reinisch|newspaper=TheJournal.ie|title=Opinion: I went to the Saoradh party conference to see where radical republicanism is going|date=2019-11-15|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/saoradh-party-conference-in-newry-4891321-Nov2019/}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]]
* [[Sinn Féin]]
* [[Irish republicanism]]
* [[James Connolly]]

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Political parties in Ireland]]
[[Category:Irish republicanism]]
[[Category:Socialism]]
[[Category:Anti-imperialism]]

Seamus Costello

2026-08-12T16:09:08Z

64.43.45.28: Fixed hyperlink on infobox. Official Sinn Féin is former name of what is now the Workers' Party, so the Official Sinn Fein link now goes to said page.

{{Infobox politician|name=Seamus Costello|native_name=Séamus Mac Coisdealbha|birth_date=1939|birth_place=Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland|death_date=October 5, 1977|death_place=Dublin, Ireland|death_cause=Assassination|nationality=Irish|political_orientation=[[Marxism-Leninism]]|political_party=[[Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin]] (1955-1970) [[Workers' Party (Ireland)|Official Sinn Féin]] (1970-1976) [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]] (from 1974)|image=Seamus Costello.jpeg}}{{Infobox military person|allegiance=[[Irish Republic]]|branch=[[Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army]] (1955-1969) [[Official Irish Republican Army]] (1969-1974) [[Irish National Liberation Army]] (from 1974)|battles=[[Campaign of Resistance to British occupation]] [[the Troubles]]|rank=Chief of Staff of the Irish National Liberation Army (1974-1976)}}
'''Seamus Costello''' was an [[Irish Republican]] and [[Marxist-Leninist]] revolutionary figure from the late 1950s to his assassination in 1977. He was involved with [[Sinn Féin]] and the [[Irish Republican Army]] before becoming involved with the Official faction of both organizations after the IRA split in 1969. After the Official IRA ceasefire in 1972 he founded the Irish Republican Socialist Party and its military wing the [[Irish National Liberation Army]].<ref name=":0">{{Citation|author=Seamus Costello|year=2018|title=Revolutionary Works: Seamus Costello|title-url=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Revolutionary_Works:_Seamus_Costello#top|chapter=Epilogue-Seamus Costello: One of the Greatest Leaders in 800 Years|chapter-url=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Revolutionary_Works:_Seamus_Costello#Epilogue-Seamus_Costello:_One_of_the_Greatest_Leaders_in_800_Years}}</ref>

== Early Life ==
Seamus Costello was born in Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, County Wicklow 1939 to John and Elizabeth Costello. His father was a cattle-dealer and farmer. He was the oldest of nine siblings.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Web citation|author=Micheál Ó Siochrú|newspaper=Dictionary of Irish Biography|title=Costello, Séamus|url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/costello-seamus-a2085}}</ref>

In 1953, after the arrest of Irish Communist revolutionary leader Cathal Goulding Costello first became interested in politics. At the age of 15 he bought a copy of ''The United Irishman'' newspaper, and soon after attempted to join [[Sinn Féin]]. He was not allowed to join due to his age and was told to return the next year. The next year he joined Sinn Féin and the Irish Republican Army.<ref name=":0" />

== Early Political Activism ==
Costello quickly rose in the ranks of the Republican movement. He commanded an IRA unit at the age of 17 in South Derry, with major actions including the destruction of infrastructure and the burning of Magherafelt Courthouse during the IRA border campaign of 1956-1962.<ref name=":0" /> For these exploits at his young age he earned the title 'boy general'.<ref name=":2" />

He was injured in an accidental explosion at a safehouse, injuring his back and losing half of a finger. He was transported to Dublin to be treated.<ref name=":0" />

In 1957 he was arrested in county Wicklow and sentenced to six months in Mountjoy Prison. After those six months he was immediately sent to Curragh Camp for two years. There, he became involved with an escape committee, helping to free IRA members including [[Ruairí Ó Brádaigh]] and [[Dáithí Ó Conaill]] among others. He read a great deal in prison, in particular about the Vietnamese revolutionary struggle taking place at that time. He would later refer to his time in prison as his "university days". He was released in 1959.<ref name=":0" />

In 1962 he began working as a car salesman. When he was threatened with firing over his political views he threatened to stay outside of the firm's office every day until he was rehired. He successfully kept his job.<ref name=":0" />

He began organizing in county Wicklow, forming links between the Republican movement and trade unionists. He formed a tenants association in Bray and the Credit Union movement. In 1964 he also went to the Chinese embassy in Paris, France too seek support from the Socialist government in China. This attempt at gaining support was unsuccessful. He married Maeliosa Costello in 1964.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Web citation|author=Clifford Coonan|newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Chinese archives reveal IRA approaches seeking help for armed campaign|date=2014-01-04|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/asia-pacific/chinese-archives-reveal-ira-approaches-seeking-help-for-armed-campaign-1.1643886}}</ref>

He delivered a speech at the annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at the grave of [[Theobold Wolfe Tone]] in Bodenstown.<ref name=":0" /> In the speech he affirmed the necessity armed revolution, saying:<blockquote>"This is our definition of freedom. It was Tone’s definition, Lalor’s definition, Mitchel’s definition, and the stated aim of Pearse and Connolly. We can expect the same reaction to the implementation of these aims from the forces of exploitation, whether native or foreign sponsored, as the originators received in ‘98, ‘48, ‘67, and 1916. Therefore, to imagine that we can establish a republic solely by constitutional means is utter folly. The lesson of history shows that in the final analysis the robber baron must be disestablished by the same methods that he used to enrich himself and retain his ill-gotten gains, namely, force of arms. To this end we must organise, train, and maintain a disciplined armed force which will always be available to strike at the opportune moment."<ref>{{Citation|author=Seamus Costello|year=2018|title=Revolutionary Works: Seamus Costello|title-url=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Revolutionary_Works:_Seamus_Costello|chapter=Oration at Bodenstown|chapter-url=https://en.prolewiki.org/wiki/Library:Revolutionary_Works:_Seamus_Costello#Oration_at_Bodenstown}}</ref></blockquote>In 1967 he ran for a position on the Bray Urban Council and the Wicklow County Council, while also heading the Sinn Féin election campaign in Wicklow. He and fellow Republican Joe Doyle winning seats on the Bray Urban Council and he won the Wicklow County Council seat. In their seats Costello and Doyle advocated for a variety of causes and demanded that the people be allowed to attend Council meetings. His views led to multiple attempts at removing him from the council. He also began to advocate for Sinn Féin dropping its traditional policy of abstentionism.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

He helped to form the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, an Irish Catholic civil rights organization in Northern Ireland. [[The Troubles]] escalated due to this in 1969 after the violent reaction by Unionists to the movement.<ref name=":0" />

== Official Movement and IRSP ==
The same year the Republican movement split between the overtly Marxist-Leninist [[Official Irish Republican Army]] and [[Official Sinn Féin]], which participated in elections, and the Abstentionist [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] and [[Sinn Féin|Provisional Sinn Féin]]. He joined the Official movement but attempted to build bridges between the Provisionals and the Officials.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Web citation|author=MÍCHEÁL MAC DONNCHA|newspaper=An Poblacht|title=The Republican Movement split of 1969/1970|date=2020-01-09|url=https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/27727}}</ref>

The Official movement began to cease it's political action in the South and eventually declared a ceasefire in the North on May 29, 1972. Costello opposed this move, but remained in the Official movement for 2 years until he was charged with irregularities by Official Sinn Fein. Although he was found innocent there, he was subsequently tried by the Official IRA, expelled from the party, and barred from running for local elections under the party.<ref name=":0" />

He formed the [[Irish Republican Socialist Party]] and its military wing the [[Irish National Liberation Army]] on December 8, 1974 with other disillusioned former members of the Official movement.<ref name=":0" />

The Official IRA immediately launched a campaign attempting to destroy the INLA and IRSP, murdering 3 IRSP members and forcing Costello into hiding. Eventually Republican Trade Unionist [[Michael Mullen]] helped to mediate a solution between the IRSP and Official Movement.<ref name=":0" />

The IRSP experienced a setback after prominent member [[Bernadette Devlin McAliskey]] resigned from the party due to its increase militancy, with more than half of the Árd Chomhairle (executive committee) leaving with her.<ref name=":2" />

In April 1976 he Republic of Ireland in the south conspired to attempt to destroy the IRSP, arresting forty members including Costello, torturing nine, and framing six with a train robbery which the Provisional IRA later claimed credit for. Costello pushed for the IRSP to sue the government in May and called for an independent inquiry into the repression.<ref name=":0" />

In July 1976 Costello was replaced as Chief of Staff of the INLA by [[Eddy McNicholl]].<ref name=":2" />

In 1977 Costello was involved in talks to unite the Anti-Imperialist movement in Ireland, however this effort was unsuccessful.<ref name=":0" />

== Assassination ==
On October 5, 1977 he was assassinated, most likely by Official IRA member Jim Flynn, though nobody was ever charged for the killing. The assassin shot him twice with a sawn-off shotgun as Costello sat in his car in Dublin. The Official IRA denied involvement and condemned the murder. Flynn was later killed by the INLA in 1982.<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|newspaper=An Poblacht|title=Back issue: Seamus Costello assassinated|date=1997-10-16|url=https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/2696}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

His funeral was attended by Republican leaders including Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, then president of Provisional Sinn Féin, Michael O'Riordan, the founder of the Communist Party of Ireland and a former fighter in the [[Connolly Column]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]], [[Nora Connolly O'Brien]] and Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, among many others.<ref name=":1" />

Costello's death led to a decline in the IRSP and INLA, with internal division growing and much of the public support for the organization shrinking.<ref name=":2" />

== Further Reading ==
[[Library:Revolutionary Works: Seamus Costello|Revolutionary Works: Seamus Costello in the Prolewiki Library]]

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Irish republicans]]
[[Category:Irish Marxists]]