In Memory of Colm Bryce

All of us at Bookmarks were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Colm Bryce last week.

Colm was a musician, an author and an activist who worked as publisher for Bookmarks books for many years.

Born in Derry, in the north of Ireland, he played a leading role in the anti-war movement in the city. In 2006, he was part of the Raytheon 9, who occupied the offices of the defence contractor after finding out its missiles were being used by Israel in its assault on Lebanon. They were acquitted of all charges.

He was also well known as a songwriter who performed as a solo artist and as part of the Free Radicals. Colm loved to bring his guitar to parties and start a session – and was often the last to leave the bar.

In 2012 Colm visited Egypt, eager to meet with socialists and trade unionists and learn more about the country’s revolution.

Colm’s efforts were central to keeping the Bookmarks publishing operation going. He was responsible for producing several books including the collection System Change not Climate Change, Rick Blackman’s book Babylon’s Burning on music and anti-fascism and a collection to honour another comrade in Ireland, John Molyneux. The books are a tribute to Colm’s incredible intellect and knowledge of a wide range of topics.

Colm was especially proud of working with Sukhdev Reel on the book Ricky Reel: Silence is not an Option and its role in the struggle for justice for her son Ricky.

He wrote his own book Little Donegal – The Irish in the Gorbals and Govanhill in 2022 to tell the story of the many Irish migrants who moved to Glasgow. In it he traced the history of his own ancestors, who moved to the Gorbals from Gweedore in Donegal at the end of the 19th century.

Colm made many friends around the world in the places he visited and called home, including in Germany, Australia and Glasgow, where he spent the final years of his life. He was a tireless fighter for his class until the end, even during his struggle with cancer where he continued to march in solidarity with the Palestinians and against the far right.

Colm was irreplaceable. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him. Our thoughts are with Colm’s partner Julie, his two children Nina and Colm Óg and all his friends and family.