A restoration of the term ‘Republican Clubs’ to the name of the Workers’ Party is a “powerful reminder” of the party’s history, its President has said.
Michael McCorry was speaking at an event held on Saturday at the James Connolly Visitor Centre to officially relaunch the party under the new, more comprehensive name.
The party took on its current make-up in 1970 following a split from Sinn Féin and became known as Sinn Féin (Gardiner’s Place) or Official Sinn Féin, before changing its name to Sinn Féin The Workers’ Party in 1977.
By 1982, the party had dropped the ‘Sinn Féin’ completely and were known as the Workers’ Party. They had seven TDs elected in the Republic of Ireland in 1989 and 21 councillors in 1991.
In Northern Ireland, the party had originally organised under the name ‘Republican Clubs’ to avoid a ban on Sinn Féin candidates introduced in 1964 under the NI Emergency Powers Act.
Mr McCorry said the relaunch of the name was a nod to its history.
Padraig Mannion, Gemma Weir, and Scott Millar during a panel discussion at the launch of the Republican Clubs group at Áras Uí Chonghaile (James Connolly Visitor Centre).
“The name Republican Clubs is steeped in a legacy of struggle and an unwavering commitment to liberty, equality and fraternity,” he said.
“We felt there was no better name for us to take than Republican Clubs, as it reflects our Party’s history and commitment to the principles of the United Irishmen – to unite Catholic, Protestant and dissenter.
“Many years ago, we adopted the name the Workers’ Party of Ireland, and set about the task of creating just that, building a mass Party of the working class.
“We have never wavered from that struggle, and the return to the name Republican Clubs in the north only serves to strengthen our commitment to the fundamentals of that cause; liberty, equality, fraternity and the unity of our class.
“The name Republican Clubs will serve as a powerful reminder of our history and our dedication to creating a socialist, united Ireland.”