FROM THE ARCHIVES:A St Patrick's Day procession by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daniel Tallon, lead by the Dublin Metropolitan Police band and the Artane Boys' band, received a mixed reception in 1900, illustrating the political and class divisions in the city and prefacing the visit of Queen Victoria two weeks later. –
JOE JOYCE
THE LORD Mayor was accorded a somewhat mixed reception on making his appearance from the Mansion House to take up his position in the State coach. There was an enthusiastic display of handkerchiefs from all the windows in the street, and the larger proportion of the people cheered very heartily, but there was also a counter-demonstration on the part of a section of the people. This mixed demonstration was kept up in varying degrees while the procession was going up Dawson street, Stephen’s green, Harcourt street, and Harcourt place. Along this line of streets the spectators were unstinted in their enthusiasm, and cheers were raised, and hats and handkerchiefs waved from the windows. The windows and doors of the clubs, and all the houses in Stephen’s green were packed with people applauding. However, when the procession turned northwards into Camden street, and proceeded down that thoroughfare, and Aungier street, the hostile demonstrators proved to be in the majority, and things were made anything but pleasant for the participants in the display. Hissing, groaning, and shouts of every kind were indulged in at all points in these streets. There was also, of course, a great amount of cheering, and the demonstration here was generally mixed. The Lord Mayor of Belfast and the Mayor of Cork were also singled out for personal remarks.
In the vicinity of Dorset street and Frederick street corner some stones were thrown at the Lord Mayor’s carriage, and three of the panel panes were broken. Luckily the Lord Mayor and his Secretary escaped without injury, though we regret to learn that Mr. Allan was struck by one of the stones.
At Trinity College there was a scene of great excitement. The College students swarmed on the railings and occupied the space inside the railings densely. Others of them took position on the statues in the enclosed space, and others again waved flags from the open windows. All round this quarter of the city the Lord Mayor and the various other processionists came in for a very hearty demonstration. The College students waved their flags and chorussed God Save the Queen with vigour. The pressure of people in College green was tremendous. A counter demonstration was made by two bodies of men who had taken up position on two large coal waggons on the Bank side of College green. These were chorussing God Save Irelandwith vigour, and with lofty contempt of all accepted rules as regards key, harmony and time, when one of the horses gave a restive plunge, and half of the celestial choir were brought violently to the ground. This incident created vast amusement.
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