An audience with Boby Doyle

derry | history and heritage | event notice Monday September 11, 2006 21:48 by Ciarán

No Pasarán! – North West Spanish Civil War Project

An audience with Bob Doyle – The Last Irish Brigadista

Derry Book Launch of
‘Brigadista: An Irishman’s Fight Against Fascism’ by Bob Doyle

At 6 pm Friday, 15th September 2006
Sandinos Cafe Bar, Water St., Derry

An audience with Bob Doyle and Harry Owens

Bob Doyle was born into poverty and unemployment in Dublin’s inner city in 1916. Despairing of ever finding employment Doyle became active in demonstrations for work and in the fight against the rising tide of Fascism.

On the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 anti-Fascists from all over the world were motivated to fight for the Republican government against Franco. In December 1937 Bob Doyle finally managed to enter Spain and, with other volunteers from Britain and Ireland, reported to an International Brigade battalion at Figueras.

Brigadista: An Irishman’s Fight Against Fascism is the lively, sometimes humorous memoir of the last brigadista, Bob Doyle. His experiences reflect times of great hardship but also of great idealism, showing the Brigadista’s motivating visionary concern for what Franco’s victory would mean for democracy.

Anyone who reads this book who did not fight in Spain will be inspired to know more about the anti-fascist struggle that unfolded there. Bob Doyle’s story is a remarkable memoir for its deep faith in humanity. Despite defeat, capture and imprisonment his spirit remains undiminished and his warmth and humour shine through.

Brigadista: An Irishman’s Fight Against Fascism by Bob Doyle, Notes and additional text by Harry Owens, Currach Press 2006, €14.99