Documentary celebrating the history of rent strikes to be shown in Kilkenny

Between 1970 and 1973 tens of thousands of council tenants throughout Ireland withheld rent in protest against rent increases, poor housing conditions and a lack of facilities in new council estates. The story of this movement, which ended in success in August 1973, is told for the first time in a new documentary produced by CATU members. 

Over the past two years members of the Community Action Tenants Union Ireland (CATU) have been researching the 1970s rent strikes and have collected memories and stories of the campaign from people from all over Ireland. Based on their research CATU members have produced a documentary about the movement titled ‘The Rent Strike’ which will be screened at events across the country over the coming months.

According to one of the documentary producers, Fiadh Tubridy, “it’s very important that we record and celebrate working class history because we can take lessons and inspiration from previous struggles. We also wanted to recognise the achievements of the ordinary people that were involved and allow them to share their stories and experiences in their own voices”.

The public will be able to watch the documentary at a screening in Kilkenny in St Canices Community hall on Sunday, May 26 at 7pm organised by Kilkenny - Carlow Community Action Tenants Union. Admission is free.