THE HANDSTAND

SEPTEMBER 2002

jer o'leary - some banners, street theatre and his most recent audacious tribute to the handstand.

Jer and his wife Eithne have made banners for many Branches of the Trades Unions, and for Football Clubs.In the 1970's they revived this lost art and have contributed to colourful parades all over Ireland.
They have also made banners to commemorate notable historic episodes:- a replica of the Irish International Brigades Flag carried by the Connolly Column in Spain, and the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement banner, bearing the battle cry of the ANC "Amandia Ngwethu" (Power to the People). Jer O'Leary's art gallery has been O'Connell Street, Dublin, and his message has been in the working class tradition of international workers everywhere.

Fintan O'Toole of the Irish Times wrote:O'Leary's banners strike a blow.They shake Trades Union imagery away from Victorian paternalism...on the streets they billow like sails set for a voyage.

The Dublin Council of Trade Unions centenary year was marked by a version of James Plunkett's 'The Risen People' by Jim Sheridan with Jer, who is also an actor, as Big Jim Larkin. Jim Larkin formed the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, he was also involved in the American labour movement where he was arrested and imprisoned, meantime constantly being elected as general secretary of the ITGWU.This is one of Jer's famous banners to commemorate Jim Larkin based on Cashman's dramatic photo image.

The employers of Dublin have worn out their marrowbones kneeling at the shrine of Big Jim Larkin! - said Tim Healy,QC, First Governor General of the Irish Free State.
"The Government has suffered reverses for various reasons - the most prominent of which is one James Larkin." - British Prime Minister,Lloyd George.

Jer O'Leary is also an actor who has taken part in theatre productions, and street-theatre. Films he has been in are: 'In The Name of the Father';'The Field'; 'The Snapper ' and 'The Miracle'.

JOSSEYE, CAPTURED IN "THE FLOWING TIDE" BY THE notorious Rustler of "black" pints - JER O'LEARY