'This is a hugely important book which should be set reading for all undergraduate students of Irish history. It is a lamentation of why radicalism was failed by a party or parties purporting to share and espouse it. Furthermore, it is a call to re-read Irish history to provide answers that traditional narratives have hitherto not provided.' Irish Studies Review, August 2013 'A Labour History of Ireland is an invaluable (and unique) introduction to its subject. It has much to engage the specialist, but it is also accessible to the university student and the general reader.'October 2014, John Cunningham, Labour History 'This is a superb book that will continue to provoke debate and discussion, and remains essential reading for those interested in the history of the Irish labour movement.' History Ireland, August 2013 'O'Connor has, once again, done Irish labour history a great service by writing this book. In his preface he points out that Irish labour history needs to develop further. Our colleagues in other countries have moved on to look at issues like working life, leisure, gender, and further to issues of race and transnational studies. Perhaps this book will inspire some to pick up the torch and take it further.' Labour History (2012) 'It is not a sentimental read. O'Connor pulls no punches in his criticism of those who had seen nationalism as the only obstacle to 'normal' labour politics in Ireland and few historical characters escape his sharp pen. Agree with him or not, this is an indispensable study.' Liberty March 2012 'characteristic scholarship and independent reflective analysis' Irish Catholic, 15 March 2012 'The first edition of this classic work by Ireland's most distinguished labour historian, Emmet O'Connor, was published in 1992. Back then, the terminal date for the book was 1965. For this thoroughly revised, rewritten, re-researched and extended version, existing chapters have been laden with new material and perspectives, and three new chapters have been added. The result is an even more significant and still highly readable work of scholarship. - O'Connor modestly calls this work 'an introduction for the general reader and a synopsis for the specialist' (p. xii). In fact, it is more than that, since the author has the enviable knack of blending together intelligent generalisation with rich examples drawn from multiple original materials. The end product is richly satisfying. - Whilst influenced by British labour history, O'Connor has also produced a book which is very much of Ireland and for Ireland. - This lucid, beautifully written book, is full of barbs and fizzes. Underpinned by a wry humour and a talent for sharp insightful judgements, the work is a must for labour historians. It is also necessary reading more broadly for Irish historians, since it provides a lens onto the Irish past which is not readily found in accounts too often drawn to crises of modernisation, nationalism and so on. - For those outside of Ireland who wish to bring that country into their frame of analysis, O'Connor's book will be the indispensable first port of call.' Socialist History 2012 'A Labour History of Ireland, in short, is a stunning achievement. In both breadth of research and depth of analysis, this volume is unrivalled in Irish labour history. To deploy a cliche, this is essential reading for the specialist and the general reader alike.' Irish Economic and Social History Vol. XL 2013 'O'Connor has, once again, done Irish labour history a great service by writing this book. In his preface he points out that Irish labour history needs to develop further. Our colleagues in other countries have moved on to look at issues like working life, leisure, gender, and further to issues of race and transnational studies. Perhaps this book will inspire some to pick up the torch and take it further.' Labour History (2012) 'It is not a sentimental read. O'Connor pulls no punches in his criticism of those who had seen nationalism as the only obstacle to 'normal' labour politics in Ireland and few historical characters escape his sharp pen. Agree with him or not, this is an indispensable study.' Liberty, March 2012 'characteristic scholarship and independent reflective analysis' Irish Catholic, 15 March 2012
