An unrepeatable experiment that gave hope to thousands of Dubliners

Archbishop John Charles McQuaid was deeply suspicious of the Mount Street Club. Then again, as he was also suspicious of Unitarians, Richard Burton, mixed athletics meetings, tampons and ecumenical matters, this was hardly unexpected – especially given that this innovative initiative was set up in 1934 by two prominent Protestant businessmen.

What is more surprising is how suspicious Irish craft unions were of this “club” for unemployed men, established with ...