One City One Book: Strumpet City - Events in Dún Laoghaire

This year's 'Dublin: One City, One Book' will celebrate the great James Plunkett novel Strumpet City set during the Lockout which took place 100 years ago this year. First published in 1969, it has repeatedly been described as one of the greatest Irish novels of all time. Centring on the seminal lockout of 20,000 workers in Dublin in 1913, Strumpet City encompasses a wide sweep of city life.
Dún Laoghaire, or Kingstown as it was called then, occupies a central role in the book. The novel begins with the Royal Yacht arriving in Kingsotwn in 1907. It is where Father O'Connor comes to escape from the trials of working in the slums in the city centre and where Mary, one of the leading characters works until she starts her new life with Fitz in Chandler's Court. The wealthy Bradshaws live insulated comfortable lives in Kingstown until their world is shatters by the collapse of Mr Bradshaw's tenement houses near the harbout.

To celebrate Dún Laoghaire/Kingstown's starring role in Strumpet City, dlr Libraries are hosting the following series of talks in April:

Rashers, Royalty and the Revolution: Kingstown/Dún Laoghaire in the Early 20th Century
Colin Scudds (Dún Laoghaire Borough Historical Society), Wednesday 10th April at 7.30pm

From Mrs Bradshaw to Rashers Tierney: Gender, Poverty and Power in the Early 20th Century
Dr Catríona Clear (NUI Galway), Tuesday 16th April at 7.30pm

The Catholic Church and the  1913 Lockout as illustrated in Strumpet City
Patsy McGarry (The Irish Times), Tuesday 23rd April at 7.30pm

Poems & the City: 'September 1913' and beyond
Professor Gerald Dawe (TCD), Tuesday 30th April at 7.30pm

All events will be held in the Assembly Hall, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire. Talks are free but booking is essential. Email libraries@dlrcoco.ie or phone 01 2147970.

Borrow copies of the novel and DVD from any Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown library or download the ebook version.