Skip to content

Oidhreacht Éireann

Specialised History Talk on the Dublin Castle Scandal of 1884

Praghas

Saor in aisce

Dátaí

27/07/2025 - 27/07/2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Suíomh

Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath

Special History Talk poster

Join Tour Guide Tadhg on a talk that will explore the Dublin Castle Scandals of 1884!

Eleven years before the trial of Oscar Wilde, Dublin society was shocked by a different homosexual scandal, one which involved several high-ranking officials in the Dublin Castle administration including Gustavus Cornwall,secretary of the General Post Office, and James Ellis French, Royal Irish Constabulary Director of Detectives. Instigated by MPs Tim Healy and William O’Brien in an exposé in the United Ireland Newspaper, weaponising Victorian morality against the British administration itself, the Dublin Castle Scandal of 1884 is simultaneously one of the least well-known, most complicated, and most fascinating moments in Irish history.
his talk will examine how newspaper reports and court documents surrounding this scandal reveal what gay culture was like in 1880’s Dublin, from secret drag parties within the walls of Dublin Castle to clandestine meet-ups in the Botanic Gardens. It will also examine the lives of those caught up in the intrigue from all classes in society, and the devastating effects of the scandal’s backlash on the queer community; the 1885 Labouchere Amendment criminalising 'gross indecency' between men, only repealed in Ireland in 1993.

This talk is free of charge. Booking is essential, as places are limited. Booking is by email only.

  • Time : 2 pm – 3 pm
  • Date : Sunday, 27th July, 2025
  • Email : dublincastleeducation@opw.ie
  • Meeting point : The Entrance Hall of the State Apartments
  • FREE

Teagmháil

Sráid an Dáma
Baile Átha Cliath 2
D02 XN27

01 645 8813

Tabhair cuairt anseo

Lonnaithe i Lár na Cathrach ar Shráid an Dáma taobh thiar de Halla na Cathrach, 5 nóiméad de shiúl ó Choláiste na Tríonóide i dtreo Theampall Chríost

Oscail suíomh i Google Maps

Roghnaigh modh taistil

Cárta Oidhreachta

Rochtain gan teorainn ar ár n-oidhreacht

Tuilleadh eolais

Bí ar ár liosta seoltaí

Are you happy to receive marketing material via email from Heritage Ireland

Seol