On the 1st of May 2013, there was a May Day Rally from The Garden Of Remembrance to Liberty Hall.The march was lead by a piped band, and had old banners of the Irish Transport and Generals Workers Union , and banners of old leaders of the (ITGWU) such as Larkin and Connolly. The theme of the Rally was 1913 to 2013 an unfinished business. There was about 1500 hundred people on this march. The Dublin Council Of Trade Unions organised this event. When the march reached Liberty Hall the (DCTU) President Mick O'Reilly was the key note speaker. Mick O' Reilly in his address said "we welcome the decision by public sector workers to reject Croke Park Two".
Mick O' Reilly gives speech.
There was many speakers from different youth organisations, such as Paul Dillon CWU Youth, Unite youth Committee Aoife Campbell and many more spoke at this rally, and the main emphasses was on youth unemployment, and the effect that austerity is having on the people in Ireland and all across Europe at this moment in time. There was many different groups represented at the rally from Union group,s to Anti Household Tax charge. The main point of the speakers was to fight against austerity.
People gather a Liberty Hall.
With this being the 100th anniversary of the Lockout this theme 1913 to 2013 an "unfinished business" was very energetic and a carnival type atmosphere. Some of the topics that where talked about was the need for legislation to be passed for unions to be recognised in all employment and negotiation rights for all members of unions. There was also some time taken to remember the workers who had did in the terrible accident in Bangladesh in which so many people low paid workers died.
On the first of May the Dublin and Wicklow Branch of the Independent Workers Union held there annual commemoration at the James Connolly Statue at Beresford Place. This Union works outside the Congress of Trade Unions. This union was formed in 2003 and it's headquarters are in Cork.
Statue of James Connolly.
One the key note speakers was Dick O' Carroll son of one the founding members of the Labour Party Richard O' Carroll. The Independent Workers Union has Branch in Cork, Wicklow, Dublin and Northern Ireland. There is also several other branch's around the country.
Darrell Maguire Union member lays wreath.
This union has roughly about 1,000 members throughout the length and breath of the country. This Union is dedicated to the ideals of Connolly and Larkin.
This National League division one final between Dublin and Tyrone was a very close encounter from start to finish. Tyrone suffered a major set back before the game when Stephen O Neill injured his ankle in the warm up to the game. The game was a started with Dublin getting of to a great start with a three point advantage but Tyrone soon pulled back and at half time both sides where all level.
When the second half started Tyrone started to dominate the match and where controlling this game with O Neill replacement Connor Mc Aliskey scoring three points from play. The performance from Tyrone goal keeper Niall Morgan was top class with some good saves and five points scored in this match. Dublin substitutions made the telling difference at the end of this match Dean Rock scored two magnificent points that got Dublin back into this game. Rock had replaced Bernard Brogan who scored four points in this match. Jack Mc Caffery got the last point for Dublin and won Dublin first National League Final in twenty years on an 18 points to 17 victory for Dublin. This game was not a classic game for skill, but with the championship only around the corner it was a good test for both teams.
This game between Dublin versus Galway was up in Round Towers GAA club in Clondalkin, and was the official opening of the new pitch and facilities. This was a very good and exciting match with only a point separating the teams a half time. It was 1-08 to 10 points at half time to Dublin. The second half started with a reinvigorated Galway Team pushing into a two point lead that they would hold on to until the last five minutes.
Bernard Brogan of Dublin
Dublin scored the second goal in the last five minutes and went one ahead with little time left on the clock. Galway who where without their under 21 stars who had qualified for the under 21 All Ireland final that day, battled on to try and win this game put could not peg Dublin back and Dublin won this game by four on a score of 2-17 to 19 points.
Clondalkin pipe band play National anthem.
This game was a good contest for bought teams, Dublin are to play the National League Final and Galway are due to play Mayo in a few weeks in the opening round of the Connaught Championship.
Last weekend Fianna Fáil were ahead in the polls, this is not a strange thing for a political party, but for this party it is a little strange considering they have overseen the biggest financial collapse this country has ever seen. I am going to look at why the electorate always goes back to vote for this party.
Recent poll showing Fianna Fáil heading the list.
Courtesy of independent.ie
Fianna Faíl was established on 16th of May 1926 after they had left Sinn Fein in favour of an abstentions policy after the signing of boundary agreement.
First members of Fianna Fáil Dev front centre with glasses, Lemass back row 2nd from left.
Courtsey of fiannafáil.ie
In August of 1927 they dropped this policy and deputies started taking their seats. In March 1932 Fianna Fail formed its first government. This Government would last for 16 years. During this time they abolished the oath to the King of Britain, oversaw the Bunreacht Na hEireann in 1938. Ireland's neutral stance during the Second World War has always been a continuous issue. It was also during this period that they implemented the protectionist policy.
Election poster for Fianna Fáil.
Courtsey of wordpress.com
De Valera's was also one of the first political leader to offer his condolence to the German people when Hitler died at the end of the war. In 1948 Fianna Faíl lost the General Election and where replaced by a coalition government. They regained power in 1951, they lost the election in 1954 and quickly regained power again in 1957 and would remain in power for the next 16 years.
Sean Lemass, second leader of Fianna Fáil.
Courtesy of wordpress.com
It was in 1959 Sean Lemass became leader of the party and Taoiseach. During this period Ireland's economy was stagnant, but Lemass changed economics policy and the country prospered. Lemass also made contact with his Northern counter part Terence O Neill. In 1966 Lemass retired from politics and Jack lynch became party leader and Taoiseach.
Jack Lynch, the third leader of Fianna Fáil.
Courtesy of wordpress.com
Fianna Fáil lost the election in 1973 but returned in 1977 with a 20 seat majority, Jack Lynchs government made some bad economic decisions and would be ousted by 1979 and Charles J Haughey became leader. Haughey had been involved with the Arms crisis in 1970 and had lost his seat at cabinet, only for Lynch to give him a seat back on the front benches in 1973.
Charles Haughey, the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil.
Courtesy of adams.ie
It was in the late 1970s that the country suffered due to the oil crisis that was happening at the time, this was to cause great political upheaval in the early 1980s. The 1980s saw power changing several times in 1981, Fine Gael gained power but nine months later Fianna Fáil won the election only to lose power again in 1982. It would be 1987 before power was to be returned to this party by the electorate.
Albert Reynolds.
Courtesy of quotezuki.com
In 1992 Albert Reynolds became leader, the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats coalition finished and they went into power with a Dick Spring lead Labour party. He would lose the leadership over the Father Brendan Smyth affair. This paved the way for Bertie Ahern to become the next leader on the 19th November 1994.
Bertie Ahern.
Courtesy of blogspot.com
Bertie Ahern won three General Elections, and was one of the main catalyst for the Good Friday Agreement. He was also one of the main people involved with the Mahon Tribunal, and his financial affairs would eventually lead him to step down as leader of Fianna Fáil. In 2008 Brian Cowen would take control of the party.
Brian Cowen, the 7th leader of Fianna Fáil.
Courtesy of globalpost.com
Fianna Fáil would preside over the biggest financial crisis this country has ever seen, the break up of this government was one of the most remarable the country has ever seen. It has also left the country in a very precarious position. Fianna Fáil lost the 2011 election with their worst results ever in an election. Yet with three years to go to the next election will the voters elect what most people thought was the unelectable party. Micheal Martin became the new leader of the party in 2011.
Current leader of the oppistion Michael Martin.
Courtesy of netsco.com
Could the eight leader of Fianna Fáil become the next Taoiseach and leader of the country.
Jim Larkin in his famous pose.
Photograph courtsey of sndcdn.com
This is the 100th year since the Dublin Lockout. The strike which was organised by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. This union was lead by Jim Larkin and he would lead the strikers for the next several months. The main protagonist in this fight was Jim Larkin and William Martin Murphy. Murphy owned the Dublin Tram company and the Irish Independent.
William Martin Murphy.
Photograph courtesy of rasset.ie
The workers of the Dublin Tram Company which was owned by William Martin Murphy where forbidden to join the ITGWU. So on the 26th of August all workers stopped working the trams and the strike began.
Dublin Police charge crowds.
Photograph courtsey of wikimedia.org
On the 30th of August the Dublin Metropolitan Police issued a warrant for Larkin's arrest and also baton charged crowds which resulted in the death of James Nolan. The next day Jim Larkin appeared in disguise at the Imperial Hotel, he was arrested and more rioting ensued.
Murphy's newspaper has story of strikes.
Courtesy of southdublinlibraries.ie
On the 3rd of September William Martin Murphy meet four hundred employers and they came to agreement not to employ members of the ITGWU and this became the lockout. On the 4th of September John Byrne a labour died from injuries he received on the 30th of August. The meeting with the employers was the start of the lockout which affected over 20,000 workers and their families.
Food ships bring food to the hungry.
Photograph courtesy ucc.ie
By the 27th of September food ships where arriving from Britain with food parcels for striking workers. The strike moved along with no compromise on either side. In October plans where being made to send children to Britain. By the middle of November Larkin and James Connolly had organised the Irish Citizen Army to try and protect workers from over zealous police.
James Connolly.
Photograph courtsey of wsm.ie
The Irish Citizen Army would also play a part in the 1916 rising. In December of 1913 the workers and their families had more or less had enough and the strike and Lockout would come to an end in January 1914 and went back to work.
In 1913 the GAA purchased Croke Park and Jones Road has been the headquarters for the last 100 years. The Grounds had been purchased by Frank Dineen a former president of the GAA and he rented the grounds up on till 1913. It was the Croke Memorial Tournament that helped the GAA pay for Croke Park. The final of that tournament was played between Kerry and Louth and proceeds exceeded the GAAs expectations and allowed them to purchase the land.
This a map referring to the lease of the land.
Photograph courtesy of crokepark.ie
The next several years would see lots of political upheaval all over the country and the GAA was at the centre of this upheaval. It would play a part in one of the most tragic segments of the GAA history.
Members of Sinn Feín enjoy the 1919 All-Ireland Hurling Final
Left to Right: Griffith, De Valera, Laurence O Toole, Micheal Collins and Harry Boland.
Photograph courtesy of ucd.ie.
This event that was to be so contentious for most of the last century, during a football match between Dublin and Tipperary. The date was November 21st 1920, the previous day over a dozen British soldiers and agents had been killed by the IRA under orders from Michael Collins. The proceeds from this match where being donated to the IRA prisoners fund. British troops entered the ground that day firing on players and fans resulting in the deaths of 14 people, one of which was Michael Hogan a Tipperary footballer.
A ticket from the match.
Courtsey of TipperaryBrigade.com
In 1924 the new Hogan Stand was built. In 1938 the Cusack Stand was completed over the next number of years various other stands and terraces where completed and redeveloped by 1959 the old Hogan Stand was replaced.
Old Canal end being built.
courtesy of collen.com
Also between 1924 and 1932 the GAA had organised the Tailteann Games a festival of Irish games and culture. Some of the sports involved where athletics, swimming,Gaelic Football and hurling and many more. These games first took place two years after the Irish Civil War.
Picture from Tailteann Games.
Photograph courtsey of gallery-access.com
In 1938 the All Ireland Final was broadcast in 1938 with a name that would be linked with Croke Park and Gaelic Games, that person was Michael O' Hehir. He would go to commentate on 99 All Ireland Finals, illness would prevent him from completing his 100th. His most famous commentary happen outside of Croke Park. This was the 1947 final played in the Polo Grounds, New York between Kerry and Cavan.
Michael O' Hehir the voice of GAA.
Photograph courtsey of blogspot.com
The 1940s saw the dominance of Hurling by one of the greatest teams and players that has ever played the game of hurling that was, Cork and Christy Ring. They wold win four All Ireland,s in row and contest six of the ten All Ireland's in that decade. Jack Lynch was also part of that team and also won a football final as well. He would also become leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach of Ireland later in his life. This domination continued into the 50s but Ring would be denied his ninth medal by Wexford. Wexford had the famous Rackard brothers on the team, after they won they carried ring of the pitch on there shoulders, this would be Rings last final.
Christy Ring challenges for the ball.
Photograph of corkhtai.ie.
The 1960s saw the first team from the six counties to win the All Ireland, that was the county Down. In 1961 the biggest crowd ever attended the All Ireland Final against Offaly. Down won there second All Ireland that year and would win another by the end of this decade.
Down Captain collects the Sam.
Photograph courtsey of Belfast Telegraph.co.uk
In the 1970s one of the biggest sports superstars ever in the world came to Croke Park. that was Muhammad Ali he fought Al blue Lewis in 1972. Ali won the fight in 11 rounds. The 1970s would also bring one of sports enduring rivalries and that was Dublin and Kerry.
Ali lands another blow on Lewis.
Photograph courtsey jrnl.ie
This era of Gaelic Games changed Gaelic football forever. With two iconic managers two great teams and some great battles on the field these teams brought the masses back to watch the games. These rivalries still survives today.
Dublin's Brian Mullins get ready to challenge for the ball Paudie O Shea to the right.
Photograph courtsey of staticflicker.com
In the 1980s many different events where starting to take place in Croke Park from concerts like Neil Diamond, Simple Minds, U2 and many more, also Notre Dame played the Navy, this was the first American Football match to be played here since the 1960s. The stadium was in need of renovation and this began in the late 1980's.
Redevelopment starts.
Photograph courtsey of hegartydemolition.ie
The redevelopment of Croke Park finished in 2005 with completion of the Nally Stand and the stadium is now one of the newest and modern in the world. One of the biggest events held not just in Croke Park but in the country was the Special Olympics which had the opening and closing ceremonies in this stadium, this was in 2003.
Opening ceremony Special Olympics.
Photograph Courtsey of dailymail.co.uk
In 2007 one of the most historical moments in Irish history took place after the GAA amended rule 42 which prevented foreign games being played in Croke Park. this was as result of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. The first game played there was France versus Ireland in a rugby international. Two weeks later Ireland played England and God Save the Queen was played for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth II visits Croke Park.
Photograph courtesy of bbcimg.co.uk
Also during this period the development of one of the finest teams in any sport has taken place and that team is the Kilkenny Hurling. They have been near invincible and the main foundation of this success has been the greatest hurler of all time Henry Shefflin.
Henry wins his ninth All Ireland 2012.
Photograph courtsey of jrnl.ie
So in 2013 the GAA celebrates 100 years of ownership of this great and famous field with good and sad memories can go on for another 100.
This is from the 125th year anniversary.
Photograph courtdey of gaa.ie.
