(In a 2014 article, I looked at more generally Dublin’s historic drinking dens, early houses, kips, shebeens and bona-fide pubs.)
In the 1980s and 1990s, three self-proclaimed Irish republican and socialist political parties operated drinking clubs in Dublin city centre.
Official Sinn Féin (later The Workers Party) operated ‘Club Uí Chadhain’ in the basement of 28 Gardiner Place. Originally set up as a “cultural club” for Irish language enthusiasts, the venue was just a couple doors away from the party headquarters at no. 30.
The club was named after the Irish Language writer and 1940s IRA Volunteer Máirtín Ó Cadhain who died in 1970. The space hosted film-showings, trad music nights and social evenings. It was raided by the police in January 1975 with leading Official SF member Frank Ross (aka Proinsias De Rossa), the occupier of the premises, being fined £50 for keeping unlicensed alcohol for sale.
I’ve been told that it was very popular with non-political GAA fans when it opened on match days at Croke Park. In the early 70s, they used have a stall outside it on match days selling Irish rebel LP’s and republican badges.
On 18 November 1984, career criminal Eamon Kelly stabbed and almost killed prominent WP member and (future general secretary) Patrick Quearney on the street outside. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail which was later reduced to 3 years following an appeal. Kelly was shot dead by the RIRA in 2012.
As far as I know, the basement club is still owned by the Workers Party but has not been open since around 2006.
Irish Independent, 5 June 1975
Irish Independent, 13 April 1990
Irish Press, 15 April 1993
Any stories, memories or insight? As always, please leave a comment.
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Donal
Ciarán
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Come Here To Me! 
The one I wasn’t in was the one in Gardiner Place.
There was another small raid on Blessington Street one Good Friday. I happened to be in the one at the back of New Books, but a small crowd (including a current Labour Party man from the Wickla direction) took their drinks with them from Blessington Street, proceeded to Temple Bar followed by the Guards, gained admission and got us all busted.
[…] via Defunct Political Drinking Dens […]
[…] Interesting piece on Defunct Political Drinking Dens on Come Here To Me […]
There was one in Limerick too, run by Official SF on the corner of Lower Mallow Street and Henry Street, just a stones throw from Henry Street Garda Station.
Was never raided and ran for at least 2 years.
Yes. I remember it all so well. Club Sandino best dance music in the Ireland at the time. Next time you are in will give you some more back ground.
Being an English guy working over in Dublin, I can only see what I’m missing! 5 Euro beers and crap company in a golf hotel it is lol
Had relations who lived at 5, Blessington Street from as far back as the 1950s. Drunken what you might call republicans would bang on their door in search of 51, (SF) Blessington St.
What about the Irish Times Club in Fleet Street I think it was on the First Floor over the bookies beside Bowes Pub!
Reblogged this on Paddoconnell's Blog.
Often drank in the Provo Club,as we called it then in Blessington St ,early 80s.I wasnt a Sinn Fein member but in a Socialist Group at the time.Always remember the Special Branch were parked across the road.Obviously monitoring people coming out.
The amount on Surveillance carried out in those years was widespread.And many of those involved in left wing politics were subjected to stop and search after meetings etc.It wasnt just confined to Republicans