Teatime Talks: ‘The 'state o’ chassis' in Sean O’Casey’s tenement world’ with Mary Muldowney

14 Henrietta Street presents Teatime Talks a series of talks inspired by the history and people of 14 Henrietta Street. The Dublin Trilogy (The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock and the Plough and the Stars), the three plays for which Sean O’Casey is probably best remembered, are all set in tenement buildings during Ireland's revolutionary period. The plays were informed by his personal experience of involvement in the political upheavals of the time, as well as his understanding of the trauma of growing up in poverty, and living and writing in tenement rooms. Mary Muldowney will discuss the historical background of the plays and Sean O’Casey’s activities during the period in which they were set, particularly his membership of the Irish Citizen Army. Dr. Mary Muldowney is the Dublin City Council Historian in Residence for Dublin Central, including the north city and docklands areas which O’Casey describes so vividly in his autobiographies, Drums Under the Windows and Inishfallen, Fare Thee Well. Mary is the author of books, articles and other writing on a wide range of historical subjects. She is a member of the organising committee of the Irish Labour History Society and the Grangegorman Histories Working Group and regularly presents talks on different aspects of the history of Dublin Central. By listening and engaging with visitors, historians, experts, local people, former tenement residents and their families, we continue to uncover, record and respond to the 300 year story of 14 Henrietta Street. We protect, share and add to the cultural life of the city. We tell stories, make connections and uncover history. 14 Henrietta Street is a social history museum of Dublin life, from one building’s Georgian beginnings to its tenement times. We connect the history of urban life over 300 years to the stories of the people who called this place home. In intimate small-group tours, we bring to life the stories of the humans who passed through the house, their changing circumstances, their experience of family life, of politics, and the impact of world affairs. By listening and talking with visitors, historians, local residents and their families and through the knowledge of others, the museum continues to discover new stories, gathering memories and adding to the museum’s collection and visitor experience. Find out more at www.14henriettastreet.ie Run by Dublin City Council Culture Company. Owned and conserved by Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with, and for, the people of Dublin. We collaborate with people, communities, cultural organisations, businesses, and Dublin City Council to embed cultural experiences and increase cultural participation throughout Dublin. Find out more at www.dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie #CultureConnects #Dublin #SeanOCasey #History #Irish