‘The order came in: ‘Lose your contraceptives!’ and a shower of condoms, pills and spermicidal jelly fell at the feet of Customs men and slid along the railway platform towards the waiting crowd.”
So began an Irish Times report on the protest by members of the Women's Liberation Movement who, on May 22nd, 1971, travelled to Belfast on the train and brought illegal contraceptives back to Dublin and through the Customs barriers at Connolly station.
There was more than a small element of theatre – and a large helping of good humour – about the event. This photograph certainly captures a dramatic moment. The way of the world is being turned upside down: rather than being in charge, this customs officer is all too obviously under siege.
Surrounded by note-taking media and chanting women, he’s gamely giving some sort of statement – but the angle at which his cap is pushed back on his head, and his dazed expression, speak eloquently to the viewer. This image wasn’t published; instead, the story featured a terrific, and justly celebrated, shot of the triumphant women marching along the platform bearing the banner of the liberation movement.
But this picture of a baffled man also tells a tale. These were interesting times. On the same page of that day’s paper were two small but significant stories.
In one piece the chairman of the Leinster Council of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann, Mrs K Mullally, is furiously rejecting accusations that county fleadhs were vehicles for bringing“debauchery and depravity” to Irish towns. In the other, Bishop of Clonfert, Dr Ryan, is at Knock, appointing Our Lady of Loreto as “patroness of tele-communications” in a desperate effort to stem the tide of change.
It was hopeless: the floodgates had been opened. This week at the Dublin Theatre Festival, a new musical by Bill Whelan and Arthur Riordan, The Train, gives voice to many of the courageous Irish women who spoke up for emancipation and equality nearly half a century ago. Arminta Wallace
Archive photographs and other Irish Times images can be purchased from irishtimes.com/photosales
