Discover the extraordinary story of Dublin’s forgotten queer figure.
📍 Venue: Outhouse Theatre, 105 Capel Street
📅 Launch Date: Friday 26 September, 6pm – 8pm
📅 Exhibition Dates: 30 September – 10 October
⏰ Opening Hours: 12:00 – 17:30, Tuesday to Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays)
📅 Special Talk with Glenn Chandler: Saturday 11 October, 6pm to 8pm
About the Exhibition
Step into the hidden world of John “Jack” Saul, a Victorian-era sex worker whose life was at the center of two of the 19th century’s most notorious scandals: the Dublin Castle Scandal and the Cleveland Street Scandal in London.
Born in Dublin’s tenements, Saul’s story provides a rare insight into class, sexuality, and survival in Victorian society.
The exhibition will trace Saul’s early life in Dublin, with a focus on the social and cultural landscape of the city during his formative years. Planned elements include a short film, a timeline, and a detailed map highlighting the streets he walked, the places he lived, and the locations where he found clients – including the Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle, and the Green Street Courthouse, where he was tried for theft. The exhibition will also reflect on his final years, his death from tuberculosis at Harold’s Cross hospice, and his burial in Glasnevin Cemetery.
The exhibition is curated by Francis Fay for the Dublin Festival of History 2025.
Special Event: Talk and Book Signing
Join acclaimed author Glenn Chandler for an in-depth talk and book signing event focused on his compelling work, The Sins of Jack Saul: The True Story of Dublin Jack and the Cleveland Street Scandal.
Chandler will delve into the life of Jack Saul, a notorious figure in Victorian London, whose involvement in the infamous Cleveland Street scandal exposed a hidden world of politics, sexuality, and power. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Chandler brings to light the dramatic and often overlooked story of one of history’s most fascinating characters.
Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and get their copies of the book signed.
🗓 Saturday 11 October
🕕 6:00pm
📍 Outhouse Theatre
Why Visit
- Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory exhibition
- Learn about a forgotten figure of Irish queer history
- Attend an exclusive talk and book signing
Join us at Outhouse this autumn for a powerful exploration of resilience, identity, and hidden history.