Today, more than ever, it’s worthwhile to review the crucial manifesto known as “The New Republic Speech” delivered by Labour Leader Brendan Corish in November, 1967 at the Labour Annual General Meeting in Liberty Hall. In it, Corish analyses why Ireland failed as a republic, suggesting that, “we have failed in every national objective” – and proposes a “New Republic” that would be carefully crafted with sound economic planning, revised government structures and that would be based on “welfare and equality.” Click here or on the image above to read the original text of the speech, and on the image below to read a critical essay on it by Brendan Halligan, written in 2018.
In this essay, Brendan Halligan revisits the famous speech by Brendan Corish
and explains how it addresses problems that are still relevant today.
Click here or on the image to read the full essay.