Roderick James Connolly (11 February 1901 – 16 December 1980) was a socialist politician in Ireland.

A lieutenant in the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) boys' corps, he was involved in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Connolly traveled to Russia on several occasions in 1920 and 1921 and formed a close association with Vladimir Lenin and was hugely influenced by the Soviet leader.

According to Connolly, Lenin spoke English with a Rathmines accent which he acquired from his Irish tutor.

[3][4][5] He helped form and became President of the first Communist Party of Ireland (CPI) in October 1921.

[1] Connolly died in St Michael's hospital, Dún Laoghaire, in December 1980.