The Liberties: Butcher Boys

Paul and Declan Larkin continue their fathers business, established in 1950, butchering whole animals in their shop on Meath St.
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A series of 12 crafted short films, each focuses on a different character within Dublins Liberties community. It has been described as the documentary film equivalent of a portrait gallery.

The Liberties captures the character and unique humour of the people who live there. The documentary celebrates ordinary lives well lived in The Liberties - Tailor Eugene Fagan sews in a button for an 80 year old customer as they chat; Meath Street butcher Declan Larkin carries quartered cattle into his shop at dawn; Flower Ladies, Phyllis Kavanagh and Mary Hand judge passers by on Meath St; Theyre not going to buy flowers, Theyre not going to buy flowers. Brenda Fricker polishes her Oscar at home, just off the Coombe and recounts the comment from friends; What are you doing living up there, Brenda, Youll be murdered, Youll be killed.

The film was shot, produced and directed by Shane Hogan and Tom Burke and edited by Tom Burke. Original music composition was by Gerry Horan. Audio post-production was by Kevin Breathnach at Avondale Studios. Titles were designed & produced by Lorcan Finnegan and Brunella Cocchiglia at Lovely Productions. The series of films was originally funded by the Arts Council under the Once-Off Project Award in 2008.

[@deeppurple883]

2022 Liberties Dublin. I walk around the street's of the Liberties most today, around the little artisan houses around the combe down Cork St, Francis St. All these place's are devoid of children out playing in the streets, or people full stop. They don't know how to be neighbourly. Most of these house's are filled with people from outside the area, not many original families in them now. It's a shame, you need community to have a heart. 🇮🇪

[@derekstynes9631]

The Best Pudding and Sausages of Anywhere can be got in Meath street and that with some fresh Batch Loaf is what We Dubs over in England Crave ! You can forget Tayto for Me I have a Craving for Smoked Cod and it is something I always enjoy and of course The Liberties People are the Best of Irish People and My Mother God Bless Her was 100% the Genuine Article and She made Butchers Boys Lives sheer Hell when She had a household full of Children to be fed and She watched Them like a Hawk to make sure She got the best cuts . PS I forgot the Long Turnover and the Fruit Slices and I will leave it there and All You Dubs will know just what I mean !

[@fergusmcmahon3609]

I know they are gone, but my goodness, those skills last forever.

[@cully6291]

The most famous butcher in the liberties shame its gone if yous ever see this deco your a gent my dads unofficial adopted son lol Paul havnt seen ya in yonks can't believe your gone I havnt been home since so don't know what's become of Larkin's god bless yas boys

[@dmfub2348]

It's a chemist now.

[@abrhamkeanoaumentado2519]

Exellent. Salute to this butchers. Hope i could work there. Im currently a Present butcher here in the phillipines. Godbless to you guys Have a good day

[@susandhifaoui]

beautiful meat, beautiful people. proud of their trade and their product.

[@EireFirst2024]

I'm bleedin leppin 😂

[@dmfub2348]

€14/kg of sirloin. Christ, we didn't know we were born.