Songs and Stories of Dublin’s Docks
We should all be familiar with “The Dockers”, the working class grafters who were historically employed in the docks and the shipping industry in Dublin in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the majority of them came from Dockland communities particularly around areas of Ringsend, Pearse Street, East and North Wall, and the North Inner City. The term “dockers” generally refers to labourers involved in the loading, unloading, handling of cargo at docks and ports and the operation of the port’s facilities. Many of these men had physically demanding jobs that involved long hours and hard labour with the added emotional toll, yet they were crucial to the functioning of Dublin Port, evoking a sense of solidarity and unionism; they fought for better wages, improved working conditions, and social rights. And despite Ringsend having undergone significant changes over the years, with the decline of traditional port activities and the development of new residential and commercial spaces, the legacy of the dockers still remains an important part of our local history and culture.
We all know someone who has a link there whether it be through a family member, an uncle, a great grandad, or a distant relative who worked on the docks. “ButtonMen” were registered dockers who had priority, privilege and status over other non button men, and by having this button badge they were selected and allocated for work first before the rest. This was a system brought in jointly by the unions and the shipping companies so everyone had to comply.
Gary Brown, a native Dubliner and the son of a docker has written a musical show that tells their story; through story, music, and song, it unveils a historical narrative about the way of life of the people in the Dublin Docks, combining the serious issues that were faced, some heartbreaking and bittersweet, but with some lighthearted tongue-in cheek humour, and a lot of jokes with that very distinctive Dublin banter and slagging that will never fade away.
Gary is no stranger to Ringsend with his beloved dad, Jimmy originally from South Lotts Road, and he always had an affinity with the docks and was intrigued by the life of the dockers, but not necessarily in a good way either as his dad was killed in 1971, aged only 34, in a horrific accident where he was crushed under a crane. Gary was just 11 years old at the time and his mother was left to raise four children on her own, which was really tough and the incident had left an indelible mark on him growing up.
Gary, who ran his own advertising agency for 35 years, and is a former Shelbourne footballer, always had the knack of writing. When he sold that company in 2007, he found he was writing a lot of dialogue and wrote his first play, titled, “Back Live” at age 59. Since then, he has written and produced numerous plays including “It’s Not Easy” and also a mini musical called “The ButtonMen” both staged in the Viking Theatre in Clontarf. The ButtonMen was a sell out show and featured new songs composed by Gary and Irish singer songwriter, Damien Dempsey. Dockers is his sixth play.
Gary met Damien in Pipers Corner (a pub he owns) which Damien frequented and would play a few songs casually in his spare time; the pub did a lot of trad music. They got chatting one day and found they had a few things in common. Damien had uncles that used to live in Pearse Street, as well as uncles who were dockers, so when Gary told him he was writing a new show about the docks Damien was interested in putting music to the poems and turning them into songs, all the while keeping the authentic grittiness alive with his own unique style, while capturing the life and essence of the story that Gary had penned.
This version of the show “Dockers”, Songs and Stories of Dublin’s Docks was then developed with singer/songwriter George Murphy (lead singer with The Rising Sons) into a one man show, and it was put on in Liberty Hall in September 2024 where it sold out, getting rave reviews and standing ovations after each act.
During this time Damien was sending more songs to Gary, resulting in an extended version of Dockers, which emerged as a show with new original music and songs based on two characters, Jacko Dunne and his cousin, Nora Dunne. Jacko is from Ringsend, he’s a docker but he knows the way of life at the docks is ending and he wants to become a singer, so he goes to Nora’s pub where she puts him on a show playing to the audience, talking about the history of the docks and all the songs he has. George Murphy, an amazingly talented singer with an enigmatic stage presence, plays the role of Jacko and co-wrote a few of the songs. Tara Howley, a multi instrumentalist/singer and composer, plays Nora, and delivers a haunting ballad called Liffey Love about Gary’s mother whose husband went out to work one day and never came home in her sweet melodic voice, so this will definitely pull at the heartstrings. Nora also plays homage to the women in the family who kept things together while the men were at work on the docks, providing a voice for the women who worked alongside the docks and quays who wanted economic independence and a way to break through gender barriers in a typically male profession.
So now, it’s getting an even bigger run in the majestic Ambassador Theatre in April 2025, with added extra footage and a show that has 16 songs, eight songs in each act.
Gary did a huge amount of research, interviewing local people around the area like John Hawkins who had a lot of stories to tell, as he wanted to write an accurate account of the dockers’ lives and their history. Dublin Port were so helpful with their archives and Gary left no stone unturned in writing of this incredible masterpiece.
Renowned director Joe O’Byrne, has come on board to direct the show and the whole thing is one great big collaboration.
Looking towards the future, Gary already has another play on in The Helix in May about Ollie Byrne who used to run Shelbourne Football called “One Love, One Life”, and then he’s taking a well deserved break with his family. But he’s not ruling out writing a book and has that goal in his sights.
Songs and Stories of Dublin’s Docks allows you to step into the world where the raw power of human emotion, struggle, and resilience take centre stage and you won’t want to miss this unforgettable journey into the heart of the working class so come witness the strength, perseverance, and the unbreakable spirit of those who shaped our history.
Thanks to Gary Brown for taking time out of his busy schedule for the chat!
Preview show Tue 8th April. Then Wed 9th, Thurs 10th, Fri 11th and Sat 12th with doors at 7.30pm. Starts at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.ie.
