FARM-LABOURERS OUT
Haymaking and Work at a Standstill in Kildare and Meath
[The Freemans Journal, 14th July 1919]
Owing to a dispute between farmers and labourers of Kildare and Meath, about 2,000 of the later are now on strike. Work on the land is accordingly at a stand-still.
The seriousness of the position will be realised now that thousands of acres of hay are in danger of being lost. Women workers, out of sympathy with the men, decline to assist farmers at this work, offers of 2s. an hour providing unavailing. On a farm in the vicinity of the Curragh Camp on Saturday military officers were seen haymaking.
A load of grains going from Hazelhatch station to a farmhouse was upset on the road by strikers. Pickets from the Transport Union, to which the men belong, are active in the various districts.
Within a radius of 5 miles of Celbridge practically all farm labourers are out. In a few cases employers granted the demands made by the Union. There is presently no prospect of a settlement of the matters in dispute.
The above piece on the Kildare/Meath Farm Labourers Strike of 1919 is from The Freemans Journal of 14th July 1919.
Terry Dunne is giving a presentation on ‘The Kildare Farm Strike of 1919 and its Wider Context’ at the Annual Seminar of the County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups taking place in Kilcullen Heritage Centre on Saturday 12th October from 11AM. Further information on this event available here: https://www.decadeofcentenaries.com/re-thinking-the-revolution/
All are welcome to attend this free event, although booking is required. Tel: 045-481613
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