
This day 26th of August 1913 Ireland was a country in turmoil
This day 26th of August 1913 Ireland was a country in turmoil, divided by the issue of Home Rule – self-government for the country. Against this backdrop, a violent industrial conflict took centre stage.
On August 26th1913, Dublin workers began to leave work in response to a call for a general strike from James Larkin. Many employers began to lock their gates and prevent their staff from returning to work.
Problems began to escalate in the city centre, other workers began to strike in support of the initial strikes and severe riots took place in the capital. The strike limped along for several months before its finish, but the impact was huge.
The Dublin lock-out was a major industrial dispute between approximately 20,000 workers and 300 employers which took place in Ireland's capital city of Dublin. The dispute lasted from 26 August 1913 to 18 January 1914, and is often viewed as the most severe and significant industrial dispute in Irish history.