William O'Brien

Artist Leo Whelan (1892 - 1956)

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions76.2 x 61 cm

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery. Donated by the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, 1947. © The Estate of Leo Whelan.

Object number1011

DescriptionWilliam O’Brien was Vice President of the Dublin Trades Council in 1913 and one of James Larkin’s principal allies during the Lockout. O’Brien and Larkin, however, would become bitter enemies. In 1923 having left Ireland for the United States after the Lockout had ended, Larkin travelled the country meeting with trade unions appealing for an end to the Irish Civil War. However, in his absence William O’Brien had become the leading figure in the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, the Irish Labour Party and Trade Union Congress. Larkin was still officially general secretary of the ITGWU leading to legal action which Larkin ultimately lost.

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