Talbot Street - History

History

A momentous event in Irish history occurred on the street in October, 1920, when renowned republican, Seán Treacy (also spelt Tracey) of Tipperary was shot and killed outside the Republican Outfitters shop at number 94, having been spotted by British agents on clandestine patrol in the vicinity. A plaque of remembrance marks the spot and is the focus of an infrequent commemoration attended by large numbers of Tipperary people on the morning of the All-Ireland Hurling Final in years when the Tipperary team participate, thus underlying the close association of the Gaelic Athletic Association with Irish nationalism. The last such commemoration was held at 12.00 noon on Sunday, 4 September, 2011. Another horrific event, (part of the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings) of even greater proportions occurred in Talbot Street on 17 May 1974 where one of three car bombs allegedly planted by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) exploded outside a shoe shop opposite Guineys near the Lower Gardiner Street intersection, killing 13 women and one man. Nobody has been charged with the bombings, despite a campaign of nearly 40 years to find the perpetrators.