New labour history volume traces Fermanagh’s tradition of organising and solidarity
The Fermanagh Labour History Project will mark a major milestone this spring with the launch of Red Flags and Rising Voices, the latest volume in its ongoing effort to document the county’s rich and often overlooked labour heritage. The new book, which will be unveiled on 7 May 2026 at Enniskillen Townhall, covers the transformative period from 1930 to 1978, a time shaped by economic hardship, social change, industrial action and the growth of local trade unionism.
This publication builds on a body of work developed over the past decade. Labouring Beside Lough Erne, released in 2019, offered the first comprehensive account of the region’s working‑class history, while the 2023 special edition on labour leader Jim Brown, produced for the Unite branch centenary, showcased the project’s commitment to preserving local stories of struggle and leadership. Alongside its written work, the group has also invested in supporting public memory, most notably through the creation of a permanent memorial in Brook Park, Enniskillen. This memorial honours workers who lost their lives either through industrial accidents or during the Covid pandemic, ensuring that the human cost of work and public service is fully recognised in the county’s landscape.
Red Flags and Rising Voices widens this lens. The book examines the development of trade unions across Fermanagh, the major industrial disputes that shaped local working life and the campaigns waged for fair pay, decent conditions and dignity at work. It also explores the influence of labour politics, the shifting social and economic context of the mid‑twentieth century and the important role of co‑operatives in sustaining communities during difficult times. The result is a detailed and engaging account of workers’ experiences during a period of profound change.