Come Here To Me!

An illustration of a 1930’s Dublin newsboy by Luke Fallon (originally for a piece I wrote in Rabble magazine)

Every year, the good folks in Dublin City Library and Archives organise a series of lunch time lectures. Lasting about 40 minutes, and taking place in the unusual setting of City Hall, these lectures have a common theme. This October, there are a series of lectures running on each Tuesday, all falling within the theme of Dublin in the 1930’s.

Next Tuesday, I will be delivering one of these talks, on the subject of the infamous ‘Animal Gangs’ of the 1930’s. The title of the talk is A Social or Political Problem? Dublin’s Animal Gangs in the 1930’s. While there’s been quite a bit of work on the ‘Animals’ over the years, in the form of oral histories in particular, the issue of their political affiliations (if any) is interesting territory to explore. The ‘Animals’ emerged out a newsboys labour dispute in 1934, but the term entered Dublin folklore for many years afterwards. I’ve recently finished a thesis on the gangs, and I suppose this is a chance to share some of that, including a lot of new information.

The talk runs from 1.10 to 1.50. City Hall is certainly an unusual venue for a talk, and you’re all welcome.

Date: Tuesday 9 October 2012
Topic: A Social or Political Problem? Dublin’s Animal Gangs in the 1930’s.
Venue: Council Chamber, City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2
Time: 1.10-1.50 p.m.