May Day Rally

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.

One of the many banners at May Day Rally.



Independent workers union

Record000

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.

 

National League Final.

National League Final.

 

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.