Irish History 1 September 2003 Big Jim rises to the occasion as 1913 Lockout remembered —by Niamh Hooper, Irish Independent His hands outstretched in his most memorable stance, Big Jim Larkin loomed large over Dublin's inner city again yesterday. Nobody knows what he would make today of his beloved Dublin, strewn with rubble, road works and metal fencing thanks to the Luas and so-called improvements to O'Connell Street. Yesterday, the great man lived large once again as SIPTU, the Dublin Council of Trade Unions and local groups gathered to re-enact historic moments from the eight month-long Lockout of 1913.  The problems facing Big Jim and his union stalwarts were pretty different to those of today's more-affluent Dublin. The Lockout, which involved 20,000 workers, brought the city to a standstill. "The great only appear great because we are on our knees. Let us rise," actor Jer O'Leary quoted the big man from the rooftop of a building adjoining Liberty Hall for the re-enactment. Men in waistcoats and peak caps carrying hurley sticks, clubs and Lee Enfield rifles listened intently, but the heavy-handed police, King George's loyal servants, had plans to stop the party. Joining the crowd of more than 100 dressed in period costumes and donning the Red Hand badge of the workers was Dublin Lord Mayor Royston Brady, Sinn Fein councillor Christy Bourke, Joe Costello and Tony Gregory. "It's fantastic to be involved in this 90 years on and all walks of life are represented here," the Lord Mayor said. The Lockout was sparked when 40 men and 20 boys were locked out of the Irish Independent, the then 'Freeman's Journal'. Larkin attempted to organise them when they refused to comply with editor William Micheal Murphy's demand for them to give up the right to be members of the trade union of their choice. Eamonn Dignam of Sheriff Street whose grandfather, Isaac, took part in the strike, played the part of a priest. "It's very important not to forget your past. I have six kids and a few of them are here today. I want them to know what happened in their history." Page last updated 31 Aug 2008 Ireland's OWN Logo by Eamann Website Design and 1916 Easter Rising Background  by Michealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.