Limerick launches the Soviet Centenary celebrations

THE launch of the Limerick Soviet 100 celebrations took place this Friday afternoon. 

The event, which was launched by Mayor James Collins sees Limerick mark 100 years since the 1919 strike against British Militarism.

Speaking at the launch was Mary O'Donnell of the Limerick Soviet 100 Committee.

"One of the greatest events in Limerick and Irish labour history deserves a great celebration, One of the important lessons of the Limerick Soviet is that it offers a clear example of the fact that when ordinary working class people possible", said Mrs O’Donnell.

A host of events will take place over the coming weeks to mark the centenary of the 1919 strike. 

The strike, which made international headlines, was against a permit system introduced by the military authorities. The workers took over all aspects of the running of the city, produced their own daily paper, policed the city, controlled all food and fuel supplies and even printed its own currency. 

Present at the launch were representatives of the Limerick Soviet 100 Committee, the Limerick Council of Trade Unions, the Limerick District Council of SIPTU and a number of Community/Artistic groups.

Mike McNamara of the Limerick Council of Trade Unions said he was delighted with the commitment of so many people to celebrate the Limerick Soviet. 

"This indeed is a very impressive programme and I am sure the public will appreciate, and take advantage of the many opportunities the planned events will provide to become more familiar with this aspect of our city's history,” said Mr McNamara.

“I wish to extend a warm welcome to the many visitors and trade unionist who will visit Limerick for the various Limerick Soviet events during the year and I applaud the voluntary and community spirit of so many involved in providing Limerick with such an impressive festival of events,”  Mr McNamara added.

Mayor Collins took the opportunity to encourage the people to attend the events around the city.

“The scene was really set around the Condensed Milk Factory at Cleeves. There is a lot of discussion at the moment about the future for Cleeves. But you must remember Limerick’s History and what happened. I think that will be remembered particularly by a play that is being written by Mike Finn, called Bread Not Profits, which will be performed on site in Cleeves on April 16,” said Mayor Collins.