Commemorative Plaque for Abolitionists in Limerick

In the mid-19th century four famous and influential black abolitionists visited Limerick City and delivered a series of lectures exposing and educating about the shocking reality and horror of racial slavery in the United States. All four activists gave public talks to large crowds of Limerick people at the Independent Chapel (no longer extant), located at 6 Bedford Row, Limerick.

The four abolitionists were;

1838: Moses Roper: Born in slavery in North Carolina, Roper was the first black abolitionist and fugitive slave to lecture in Ireland. His anti-slavery lectures in Limerick were immensely popular. 

1841 - Charles Lenox Remond: The first black anti-slavery lecturer with the American Anti-Slavery Society. Hundreds of people from Limerick would have added their signatures to the famous anti-slavery 'Irish Address' at his four lectures in Limerick, which he delivered to Boston after his Irish sojourn.

1845 - Frederick Douglass: a former slave, renowned orator and abolitionist. He delivered two lectures in Limerick and was feted by the Mayor at an anti-slavery soiree at the Philosophical Rooms (no longer extant) on Glentworth Street. Both Douglass and Remond were hosted by the Limerick Anti-Slavery Society, which was mostly comprised of local Quaker families, particular the Fisher family of Lifford House.

1855 - Samuel Ringgold Ward: a former slave, Congregational minister and abolitionist. Lectured once in Limerick. Those who attended his lecture donated money to help the fugitive slaves based in Canada.

In recent years, a number of "Joined Hands in Freedom” events have been held to mark these visits.

We now think it is vitally important that a commemorative plaque be installed at or near No. 6 Bedford Row which would mark the visit of these remarkable activists to Limerick. This plaque would help to increase awareness about the historic transatlantic links between Limerick and the U.S., highlight the role of some Limerick people in agitating to abolish slavery, acknowledge the brave anti-racist and anti-slavery work of black abolitionists in Ireland, and act as a beacon of anti-racism, solidarity and diversity in the heart of our city.

P.S. If you wish to learn more about Remond and Douglass' visit to Limerick, see my articles in the Old Limerick Journal (click the links below)

- Charles Lenox Remond in Limerick and the failure of the Anti-Slavery Irish Address (1841) https://hcommons.org/deposits/item/hc:20871/ 
- Frederick Douglass and his Journey from Slavery to Limerick (1845) https://hcommons.org/deposits/item/hc:20523/