Connolly - executed for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising - will be played by Peter Mullan of Trainspotting fame.

The film, due to be filmed in late 2008 or 2009, will be shot in Poland because Dublin has become far too modern. "Dublin has become Google city," said Tom Stokes of Rascal Films.

"All the old docklands buildings have been obliterated. Gdansk is one of the few ports that still have the big, old, red-brick warehouses that once dominated Dublin's docklands. It is a pity that we can't use Dublin, but given the large number of Polish workers now in Ireland who are also members of Siptu, Gdansk is almost as relevant."

The Irish government is considering part-financing the 24m euro film as part of its centenary celebrations of the 1916 rising.

Connolly was a heroic Irish patriot and a trade union leader who founded Siptu. His execution by firing squad after the Easter Rising, supported by a chair because of his wounds, significantly contributed to the mood of justifiable resistance in Ireland.

Patrick Bergin will play Jim Larkin and Susan Lynch will play Connolly's wife, Lillie. Irish actor Adrian Dunbar will direct the film.

Siptu has committed 500,000 euro to the project, the Communication Workers Union in Ireland has promised 250,000 euro and the RMT transport union in the UK has pledged a similar amount.