Late last year, the premiere of a new documentary made on Ireland’s forgotten housing rebellion, was screened to a sold-out audience in Liberty Hall theatre by the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s last national Rent Strike.
“The Rent Strike” is a powerful reminder of the impact that collective action can have.
This forgotten rebellion saw over 350,000 tenants across Ireland withhold rent in protest against skyrocketing rents, deplorable living conditions, and a lack of basic amenities.
Led by the National Association of Tenants Organisations, this movement of collective action achieved a significant victory in August 1973, described in The Irish Times as “undoubtedly the most dramatic and bloodless victory ever achieved in this century by tenants versus landlords”.
The documentary, a first-time exploration of the movement, uses captivating footage from RTÉ archives alongside interviews with the brave tenants and their families who organised and participated in the strike.
It celebrates the inspiring story of this working-class campaign, with a particular spotlight on the women who led the pickets and protests every day.
This summer, the Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) is hosting a series of local screenings of the documentary all over Ireland. The first screening kicks off in Cork and will be followed by a major Dublin screening at the Irish Film Institute on Tuesday 6th August at 6.30pm.
A research project supported Maynooth University, Irish Research Council, and SIPTU has also produced a fascinating booklet, “Rent Strike 1970-1973: Reclaiming the history of Irish tenants” and a newspaper, “The New Tenant”.
Both are available for buy in Connolly Books and The Library Project. For more details on all screenings and how to book tickets, please visit the CATU website.
