Larkin €15 Silver Coin from Central Bank to mark Lockout Centenary

Artist Rory Breslin describes how he came up with the design:

Taking cognisance of the size of the finished coin and need for simplicity, the coin represents the images I believe most of us have in our minds when conjuring up the 1913 Lockout …. the crowds on the streets of the working and middle class, the locks and closed gates of industry and the iconic image of Jim Larkin, arms outstretched in an encouragement of unity.

The design has as its background the crowds, men with soft caps as was the norm and women in hats. The inclusion of women is important because while most of the historic images depict mainly men on the streets at meetings, this was an event that had an enormous impact on whole families. The depiction of the crowd in the bottom third of the coin gives the overall image a pictorial grounding.

The image present the bars of a gate and lock, with the crowd in the background, with Larkin interposed. The depiction of a section of bars gives the viewer the impression of looking through them, a motif that separates the scene from ourselves in the present where we have a myriad of hard won rights not only in labour law, but, in the Irish Constitution and in European law. The addition of the lock not only emphasises the hard stance taken by the employers of the day, it is also of itself a pictorial reference to the centenary and its usual name, The Dublin Lockout.

The image presents Larkin with his familiar gesture, though through the bars of a gate. In showing Larkin from behind, unlike the historic images we are used to, we are facing the crowd of varying individuals, each with a story to tell. The emphasis is turned from Larkin as a focal point of the picture back to the community and their desperate situation at the time. Larkin’s arms stretch the full diameter of the coin to stress the breadth of the dreadful situation, the Lockout presented.”

Rory  Breslin

See below for details of how to purchase the Coin

The 2013 €15 Silver Proof coin commemorating the centenary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout will be launched on 24 September 2013. The coin has been designed by renowned sculptor Rory Breslin.

The €15 Silver Proof coin (.925 Sterling Silver) weighs 28.28g with a diameter of 38.61m. The issue limit is 10,000 pieces.

The coin can be ordered by phoning 1890 307 607 (within Ireland) or + 353 1 2483605 (from outside Ireland) or by downloading an order form.

It can be purchased from our Dame Street office from 25 September. Cash and card payments accepted. Opening hours: 10.00 – 15.30, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Price : € 44.00 Order