A series of events to honour the memory of trade unionist Richard O’Carroll, who died after being shot during the Easter Rising, takes place this month.

Cllr. Richard O’Carroll (1876-1916) was a bricklayer from the Liberties area of Dublin. From early in his career, O’Carroll was an active member of The Ancient Guild of Brick and Stone Layers Trade Union (now BATU); he went on to become the union’s general secretary. O’Carroll began his political activism as an executive member of Sinn Fein before successfully contesting the 1907 and 1910 Dublin Corporation elections as an independent in the Mansion House Ward. He was elected for a third time in 1912 on the Labour Party ticket. O’Carroll fought passionately against the use of child labour in Ireland.

O’Carroll was very active during the 1913 lockout and delivered speeches in support of the striking workers at Croydon Park and Emmet Hall in Inchicore. O’Carroll was a member of the Irish Volunteers from the movement’s first inception. During the Easter Rising of 1916, he was made a lieutenant in the Volunteers and commanded the ‘Delahunt’ post near Jacob’s Biscuit Factory on Camden Street. When his battalion engaged British troops, O’Carroll was shot by Captain Bowen-Colthurst. It took O’Carroll another ten days to die. He ultimately succumbed to septicemia at Portobello hospital on May 5^th, 1916.

On Thursday the 21^st of April there is a graveside commemoration and talk in honour of O'Carroll at Glasnevin Cemetery. Space is limited, so email brickie1913@gmail.com to reserve a place. On Sunday, April 24^th there will be a Richard O’Carroll walking tour happening at 3.30pm. Details will follow at  https://richardocarroll1916.wordpress.com. At noon on Wednesday, April 27^th a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at O’Carroll Villas, Cuffe Street. Finally, on Thursday, April 28^th, a cultural evening is planned at Liberty Hall. Alan O’Brien and Patrick Ferris’s play about O’Carroll, “From the Backbone Out”, will be performed. Spaces are limited, so, again, email brickie1913@gmail.com to reserve a seat.