Today saw the unveiling of a plaque and historical mural in honour of East Wall residents who found themselves evicted during the 1913 Lockout a century ago. 62 workers and their families were evicted from company owned houses on Merchants Road in December 1913, with their only crime being their commitment to their union and their class.
Those evicted were replaced by scab labourers and their families, leading to the street becoming known as ‘Scabs Road’ in local lore. Many local people and others from across the city came together today for a moving and important commemorative event. Our thanks to Bas Ó Curraoin for permission to reproduce the images below on Come Here To Me. All images are his.
The mural commemorating the evictions. This mural is based on a real newspaper image from the time.
Joe Mooney of the local historical society spoke of the symbolism and imagery of this powerful mural, highlighting the lyrics which come from New York band Black 47. Joe noted the importance of the symbolism of the red hand, though hijacked by sectarian and reactionary loyalist elements, this symbol was proudly worn a hundred years ago by ITGWU and Irish Citizen Army members.
The plaque in honour of the evicted families.
The plaque gives great detail on the story of the evictions, and indeed the construction of the houses on the street. Workers were forced to move into the homes at the time they were constructed, leading James Connolly and others to label the street “Compulsory Row.” Far from the Iveagh Trust and other such schemes, it is important to stress that while these houses were superior to much of the substandard housing in Dublin at the time, they were still built with profit in mind and were imposed on families.
A nice feature of the event today was the fact it began and ended at the nearby St Joseph’s Co-Ed School. Children from this school had gone on strike in 1911, demanding shorter hours, cheaper books and an end to canings, with the influence of the emerging militant trade union movement obvious in their campaign. The presence of so many relatives of the evicted today really made the event, and reminded us that in the context of history a century really isn’t that long.
Marching back to the school.
Congratulations to the East Wall History Group who organised the events today. You can learn more about them here.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
O’Neill, prince of Tirowen: Lamh dearg Eirinn, “The red hand for
Erin.” The arms of the O’Neill is the red sinister hand which the
O’Neill alone bears properly. Those who are descended from his race
use a red dexter hand. king George 3rd was broached by loyal planters in the late 18th century with a plea to allow them adopt[rob!]the symbol,which he decreed.
http://www.historyireland.com/early-modern-history-1500-1700/at-o-neills-right-hand-flaithri-o-maolchonaire-and-the-red-hand-of-ulster/
Excellent article, recognition of history and photos.
What happens if some of the decendants of the ‘scabs’ who moved into Merchants Road are still living there ? They mightnt be too happy with this history being highlighted about their ancestors!!!