It takes its name from James Connolly, a socialist republican, born in Edinburgh, Scotland and executed by the British Army for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising.
It was formed in London in 1938 as the Connolly Club by members of the London branch of the Republican Congress, the Irish branch of the League Against Imperialism (a front for the Communist International) and the British-based Irish Self-Determination League.
They claimed as a goal to be working for a united and independent Ireland and to provide a social and cultural centre for those promoting the teachings of James Connolly.
The Association continued to organise meetings throughout Britain and a number of new branches were established.
Notable members of the Connolly Association included C. Desmond Greaves,[2] Anthony Coughlan[3] Roy Johnston,[4] Luke Kelly, Eddie Dempsey, Paddy Roe McLaughlin, and Derry Kelleher.