The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, led the State commemoration of the 1913 Dublin Lockout last Saturday at the James Larkin statue on O’Connell Street, Dublin. Thousands lined the streets in attendance at the commemoration, which took place 100 years to the day since the events of Bloody Sunday 1913.

President Higgins laid a wreath and led a minute’s silence in memory of the 80,000 workers and dependents affected by the Lockout. Wreaths were also laid by ICTU general secretary David Begg, who was joined by Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the ITUC, Bernadette Ségol, general secretary of the ETUC and Francis O Grady, general secretary of the TUC.

The event included readings from Strumpet City, scenes from The Risen People and an excerpt from ANU Productions’ Living the Lockout, which concluded its phenomenal sell out run of 378 performances at number 14 Henrietta Street the same day.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore joined ICTU president John Douglas and representatives of the Connolly and Larkin families at the event, while union and community activists dressed in period costume for a reenactment of the Bloody Sunday baton charge by the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP).

You can view our Flickr slideshow of photographs from the event HERE and check out NUJ general secretary Seamus Dooley’s account of the day HERE.