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James Larkin's call to arms

The industrial upheaval known as the 1913 Lockout was led by leading trade unionist James Larkin with William Martin Murphy heading the employers' side. After a prolonged bitter dispute the employers won but the legacy of the dispute inspired trade union activism for many years to come.

Large crowds gathered in the vicinity of Liberty Hall last night . . . An open-air meeting was held in Beresford Place. About 40 police under Superintendent Kiernan and Inspector Barrett were posted in the neighbourhood. Mr William O'Brien, vice-president of the Dublin Trades Council, said they were in the midst of the greatest labour battle ever fought in Dublin. It was a battle of organised employers against organised trades unionism.

James Larkin said the men were going to win. They had already won the first victory in the struggle, for the trams could not run at night. They had taught Mr Murphy a lesson, but they would teach him a greater one before he was many days older . . .

They were now organising the greatest demonstration that had ever been seen in Dublin and would march wherever they liked despite the threat of the supply of police and military which was offered to Mr Murphy by Lord Aberdeen [ the Viceroy]. They would go into O'Connell Street, or any other street they liked - they would, in fact, go wherever William Martin Murphy's motor-cars were permitted to go. (Cheers). They said he was already beaten, but the mighty Liberal Government and the brave and muscular Scotchman who occupied the Viceregal Lodge [ Aberdeen] bowed the knee to him (Larkin) before and they would do so again (cheers) . . . "I would advise the friends and supporters of this cause to take Sir Edward Carson's advice to the men of Ulster. If he says it's right and legal for the men of Ulster to arm, why should it not be right and legal for the men of Dublin to arm themselves, so as to protect themselves? You will need it. I don't offer advice which I'm not prepared to adopt myself. You know me, and you know when I say a thing I will do it. So arm and I'll arm. You have to face hired assassins . . .

"Now we will hold our next big meeting in O'Connell Street, come what may, and we will show them that we can use the property for which we pay." (Cheers).

From Wed, August 27, 1913