Sean O’Casey and the Irish Worker (with an index, 1911–14)

Abstract

Sean O’Casey’s brief but intense involvement with the Irish Citizen Army in 1913–14 was, by all accounts, a seminal influence in his life. It not only marked the pivotal political stage in his very political life, but the values which he developed during this period were returned to time and again in his plays, particularly The Star Turns Red and Red Roses for Me. It was also the first time (though by no means the last) that his writing talent was utilized in the service of a socialist cause, and it gave him a wide readership in Dublin; preparing them, perhaps, for his fiery plays which were to come almost ten years later. Because of the importance of the Irish Worker in the dramatist’s life, this article goes beyond the normally accepted range of O’Casey studies into Irish history, more particularly Irish labour history, to present a comprehensive analysis and index to the paper.