President Michael D. Higgins led more than 20,000 onlookers today in commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, general secretaries and international trade union officials attended the event outside the General Post Office on Dublin's O'Connell Street to remember the major industrial dispute between 20,000 workers and 300 employers over the right to unionise.
The president laid a wreath at the statue of Irish trade union leader and socialist Jim Larkin, who spearheaded the dispute.
Afterwards, hundreds of actors wearing period costumes re-enacted the riots between workers and police in which more than 300 people were injured.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Oisín Quinn began the event at 12:30pm with a welcoming address.
There were also musical performances by Ciara Sidine, Jimmy Kelly and the St. Agnes Youth Orchestra, a reading of historical novel Strumpet City and a dramatisation from ANU Productions’ Living the Lockout and The Risen People.
Barnie Muhall from Dublin inner city enjoys a pipe before playing out the scene of Bloody Sunday
Dock Workers Frances Richmarson , Mick Foran and Gerry Carroll from Dublin inner city are pictured looking up at the Larkin statue
Actors Tram Driver Cyril Wall and Terry Fagan pose in front of Police before playing out the scene of Bloody Sunday outside the General Post Office
Actors play out the scene of Bloody Sunday outside the General Post Office
An officer blows his whistle next to the General Post Office on O'Connell Street
Workers chant “Down with Murphy, up with Larkin”
Actors play out the scene of Bloody Sunday outside the General Post Office in Dublin city this afternoon
President Of Ireland Michael D Higgins looks at a tram from 1913 on O Connoll street in Dublin
President Of Ireland Michael D Higgins lifts the wreath to remember those who died in the lockout 1913
President Michael D Higgins lays the wreath to remember those who died in the lockout 1913
Images: © Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
