Approved James Connolly plaque only the second of its kind in The Liberties
One of the most historic parts of Dublin is finally getting its due, as a new commemorative plaque is set to honour the site where James Connolly lived and published The Worker’s Republic in the Liberties.
Dublin City Council have agreed to a proposal to erect a commemorative plaque in the Liberties to honour James Connolly. The proposal was put forward by Sinn Fein Councillor Ciarán Ó Meachair to the Commemorations and Naming Committee.
The specific wording of the plaque will focus on the fact that James Connolly edited and printed The Worker’s Republic newspaper from his home at Pimlico. The site of Pimlico Flats in the Liberties now occupies where James Connolly lived with his wife and three children at 54 Pimlico.
The Commemorative Plaque scheme has been running since 2014, however this will only be the second plaque unveiled in the Liberties. This came in 2016 and commemorates the Marrowbone Lane Garrison from the Easter Rising.
Commenting on the approval, Councillor Ó Meachair said: “I’m delighted this proposal has been approved. James Connolly is a hugely important figure in our national history. There are still many lessons that could be taken from his writings today.
“It’s always important at Easter to remember the sacrifice made by people like Connolly for Irish freedom. James Connolly was also a strong voice for worker’s rights and women’s rights. He challenged many of the inequalities we still see in the world today.
“There is also an unfortunate lack of commemorative plaques in the Liberties compared to other parts of the city, which is surprising considering the Liberties is such an historical part of Dublin. I hope something like this will also encourage people in the Liberties to think of other suitable plaques for the area”.
James Connolly filled out the 1901 census while living at 54 Pimlico where he described himself as a ‘printer-compositor’. Six other families, a total of 30 people, also lived at the same address.
The Worker’s Republic newspaper which Connolly published from 54 Pimlico lasted from 1898 to 1903. Connolly later printed a second version from 1915 right up until the 1916 Rising.
While James Connolly is commemorated through landmarks like Connolly Station, not a single major Dublin city street bears his name. This plaque will honour a more personal chapter of his story and shine a light on his time in the Liberties, where he lived while bringing socialist principles to the Irish public through The Worker’s Republic.
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