Politics & Cultural Influence Irish Left Archive Podcast

Throughout 2023 we have asked podcast guests if there are any cultural artefacts or events that they consider particularly influential on their politics.

This episode brings together responses from historian Mary Muldowney, anarchist activist Gregor Kerr, Republican activist Des Dalton, author Michael Flavin, historian Brian Hanley, and Irish Anarchist Network activists Nestor and Saornil. Below, in the order they are mentioned, are our guest’s choices for politically influential books, films, music, events and media.

(Where possible, we’ve linked to publicly accessible versions. Others are linked to further information.)



Ermanno Olmi – The Tree of Wooden Clogs


Frank Capra – It’s A Wonderful Life


Robert Tressell – The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists


Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid strike


1913 Lockout 100th Anniversary Plaque in Dun Laoghaire

Ernie O’Malley - On Another Man’s Wound and The Singing Flame


J. Bowyer Bell - The Secret Army


Caught in A Free State


George Orwell - Homage to Catalonia


Geoffrey Robertson - Reluctant Judas: Life and Death of the Special Branch Informer Kenneth Lennon


The Jam – The Gift


The Style Council – Our Favourite Shop


Eamonn McCann – War and an Irish Town


V for Vendetta


Margaret Killjoy


Robert Evans & Jake Hanrahan – The Women’s War