Marxism 2026: A Festival of Revolutionary Ideas

Marxism 2026 returns to Trinity College Dublin from 27 to 29 November, with over 40 meetings, lectures, panel discussions and rallies. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

The world is in flames. We face existential threats from ecological collapse to catastrophic war. Far-right forces are on the rise, and so-called moderate political leaders rationalise genocide and pump money into the war machine.

In Ireland, our government placates a cabal of ultra-wealthy tech tyrants as they plunder our environment, and our culture, to build their AI empires.

Across the globe people still fight back. We see it from Minneapolis to Paris, from Dublin to Gaza. But is there a way to connect these disparate struggles and make sense of the chaos?

One person who thought so was Karl Marx. His emphasis on how capitalism alienates humanity from nature, and from its own creative endeavours, seems disturbingly insightful as the AI arms race rumbles on.

Over the years Marxism has been expanded, contested, misrepresented, dismissed and rediscovered. Today, its core tenets are more relevant than ever.

“The philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.” – Karl Marx

Embracing that spirit, this festival is about both making sense of our situation and organising to build a better world. Audience questions, commentary and debate are most welcome.

We live in revolutionary times. Come to a festival of revolutionary ideas.

Festival themes

Some of the themes, and the titles of meetings within them, are listed below. A final timetable will be available in the coming weeks.

War and Empire

Palestine and the Israeli genocide. US versus China: a new Cold War? Zionism and anti-Semitism. EU militarisation and Irish neutrality.

Science, Technology and the Environment

Is AI a threat to our survival? Combatting climate chaos. Tech for the People: the case for democratic data infrastructure.

Ireland’s Revolutionary Tradition

Wolfe Tone and Irish Jacobinism. Roger Casement: a light in the heart of darkness. The legacy of James Connolly. A conversation with civil rights icon Eamonn McCann.

Workers and Class Struggle

Rank and file to picket line: workers’ mobilisation in Ireland and across Europe. The role of students in the struggle for a better world. Are the working class still “capitalism’s gravediggers”?

Fighting for Our Rights

Sexism, misogyny and the manosphere. Injustice in the justice system. The struggle for trans rights. Capitalism and disability.

Socialist Politics

After the US midterm elections: what path for the left? Why Stalinism is not socialism. What is the real Marxist tradition? Socialism or barbarism: Rosa Luxemburg’s relevance today. Trotsky and permanent revolution.

Arts and Culture

The resurgence of radical music, with Lisa O’Neill, Carsie Blanton and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin. Radical Irish literature. Culture, imperialism and resistance.

Racism and the Far Right

Defeating fascism. Justice for Yves Sakila. Racism in Ireland. After the Arday affair: anti-wokeism and the reactionary backlash. Lessons from the Spanish Revolution.

Speakers

Dozens of speakers from across the globe and from all walks of life will take part. These are some of the highlights.

• Paris Marx: tech journalist, host of the podcast “Tech Won’t Save Us” and author of “Hyperscale”.
• Anne Alexander: Cambridge academic researching the social and ecological impacts of AI.
• Ilan Pappé: Israeli historian, writer and academic, author of “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine”.
• Richard Boyd Barrett: People Before Profit TD, socialist and anti-war activist.
• Lisa O’Neill: award-winning musician, singer and songwriter.
• Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin: musician, singer-songwriter, Gaeilgeoir and socialist.
• Jennie Stephens: Professor of Climate Justice at Maynooth University, author and activist.
• Yanis Varoufakis: former Greek Finance Minister, economist, activist and author of “Technofeudalism”.
• Clara Tatlow-Devally: UNICEF researcher, activist and campaigner for the Ulm 5, which includes her brother Daniel.
• Fintan Drury: journalist and activist, author of “Genocide – Sponsoring the Destruction of Palestine”.
• Naoise Dolan: Irish novelist, Palestine activist and participant in the 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
• Carsie Blanton: New Jersey-based singer-songwriter and activist, organiser with Artists Against Apartheid and part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
• Eoghan Daltún: artist, farmer, conservationist and author of the bestselling rewilding book “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest”.
• Patrick Bresnihan: academic, activist and co-author of “From the Bog to the Cloud”.
• Amy Kennedy: President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union.
• Aminah Sheikh: Minneapolis-based trade union organiser and co-chair of Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America.
• Jérôme Legavre: French MP for the Independent Workers’ Party.
• Joe Rooney: Irish musician, actor, comedian, climate researcher and activist.
• Natasha O’Brien: assault survivor and advocate for victims of gender-based violence.
• Miriam Boosh: People Before Profit councillor for Carlow.
• Oscar Breathnach: justice activist, wrongfully convicted of the 1976 Sallins Train Robbery.
• Eamonn McCann: legendary Irish civil rights activist, journalist and revolutionary socialist.
• Ailbhe Smyth: renowned feminist, LGBTQ activist, socialist and academic.

Other speakers include Laura Watson, Sinead Kennedy, Sally Wheelock, Hossam el-Hamalawy, Kieran Allen, Fergal MacBhloiscaidh, Hector Sierra, Sammy Wheelock, Paul O’Brien, Brian O’Boyle, Gyekye Tanoh, Lewis Nielsen, Marnie Holborow, Mark Walsh, Somia, Melisa Halpin, Becca Bor, Emma Hendrick and Deirdre Cronin. More will be announced.

Comedy, music and books

Friday night: the Marxism Festival Comedy Night at Wynnes Hotel, Abbey Street.

Saturday night: Ceol agus Craic (venue to be confirmed).

The best collection of left-wing books for sale in Ireland is found every year at the Marxism festival. This year the festival will also host four book launches.

Tickets

Marxism 2026 takes place at Trinity College Dublin from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Full details, including the complete timetable, will be announced closer to the event.