The Irish woman who might have prevented World War II
It is now over a hundred years since Dalkey born Violet Gibson made her attempt to assassinate Italian dictator Benito Mussolini as he walked surrounded by crowds of admirers in the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome on April 7, 1926 . Almost beside him, from under her vail, she produced a pistol and shot him at point-blank range. Mussolini had just turned his head, the bullet nicked his nose. On her second attempt, the gun jammed. Police immediately took her into custody and Mussolini was taken to hospital and later reappeared with a bandaged nose.
At this time, before the war, Mussolini was seen in a better light. In Britain, King George V of England awarded him with the Order of the Bath. Here the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, W.T. Cosgrave, wrote to congratulate him on his survival. Her father Edward Gibson, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, was a close friend of British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli intervened for her release from prison by Mussolini and her deportation back to Britain where spend the rest of her life in St Andrew’s mental asylum in Northampton. Gibson said her assignation attempt was “for the glory of God.” Which some take to mean she might have had another victim in mind. Her friend, the novelist Enid Dinnis surmised that she may have gone to Rome to kill Pope Pius XI but failed an audience. The year before she had attempted suicide – on that occasion the bullet is said to have bounced off her ribs.
Violet led a sad life and events spiralled out of her control, Constance. Her sister talked of the death Victor, their brother “found dead, whether by his own hand or that of somebody else, has never been cleared up”. Violet became a Roman Catholic convert, attracted to aspects of Catholicism, self-mortification – flagellation and fasting, wearing Hair-shirts. She was a troubled woman, despite an early life of privilege at the family home at 12 Merrion Square.
Violet was the second youngest of eight children, the daughter of wealthy Dublin solicitor and politician Edward Gibson, who became Baron Ashbourne, after he became Lord Chancellor of Ireland, the country’s highest legal office. He was a member of the Kildare Street Club, Dublin. He died in England and was cremated at London’s Golders Green Cemetery. Later his ashes were returned to Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold’s Cross. Violet attended the funeral service at Mount Jerome, Dublin.
If Violet Gibson had succeeded in assassinating Mussolini, World War II might have been prevented Italy aligning with Nazi Germany and a fragmentation of Europe’s Fascist movement, even sow doubts for Adolf or perhaps, no World War II ! – now there’s a thought.
A plaque honouring Violet Gibson, the Dublin woman who attempted to assassinate Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini was erected by Dublin City Council at 12 Merrion Square
There was a time they brought shame and disgrace to their families
Along with the rest of the country Dublin has changed since independence. Old laws and traditions are changing with time. We live in more lenient and forgiving times. So looking back on our recent past and further to the Dublin of the nineteen century, then firmly part of Britain and its establishments, to a time when Dublin was seen by many as the second city of the British Empire. In a previous issue, we discussed those times, prompted by the release in 2025 of the Netflix series ‘House of Guinness.’ We discussed Arthur Edward Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun ran a fledgling brewery and also managed to combine that with being the British Conservative Member of Parliament for Dublin in the House of Commons in London. Dubliners who spanned those years often experienced family divisions involving status, religious beliefs and judgements. Let’s look at two Dubliners who went through these changing times.
Oscar Wilde born to Anglo-Irish parents in Dublin in 1854, and later won scholarships to Trinity College and to Oxford’s Magdalen College. Oscar Wilde acknowledged that his parents had bequeathed to him “a name they had made noble and honoured, in literature, art, archaeology and science”, but added that he had “disgraced that name eternally.” He married Constance Lloyd, had two sons, but later began his same-sex relationships, one in particular with a 16 year old, ‘Bosie’, Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquess of Queensberry, who publicly accused Wilde of homosexuality – then a very serious charge. Unwisely, Wilde took a lawsuit against Queensberry who, basically bankrupted Wilde because he became liable for Queensberry’s legal expenses. A warrant was issued for Wilde’s arrest and trial. When the jury, failed to reach a verdict, a retrial was initiated with a less lenient judge, Wilde was found guilty and received the maximum sentence – two years with hard labour. The judge described his punishment: “as totally inadequate” given the “seriousness of his crime”. The damage to Wilde’s reputation would last for life.
Wilde was imprisoned at Pentonville before being moved to Wandsworth and later to Reading Gaol in in Berkshire, a place itself immortalize by Wilde in his poem ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’. Reading Gaol closed in 2021. Wilde was able to write in prison, although he was forbidden to write poetry or prose – fortunately letter-writing was allowed -and no matter how long. Wilde wrote a 50,000 word letter to his friend and lover Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas, which became known as De Profundis – a letter from the depths.
Before she died Wilde’s mother Jane’s request to visit her son in prison was refused.
From bringing shame and disgrace to his father’s house on Merrion Square… that house today is proudly named Oscar Wilde House, while a sculpture in his honour lies across the road in Merrion Square Park.
Alan Turning
In 2017, after the passing of the Turing Law – named after the gay codebreaker and computer pioneer Alan Turing – Wilde was among more than 50,000 men pardoned for crimes of homosexuality that no longer exists.
Dublin chef unveils fresh menu at Portmarnock resort
A new chapter in dining has begun at Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links, the former ancestral home of the Jameson whiskey family, under the leadership Executive Head Chef Peter Limbeck.
A highly acclaimed figure on the Dublin food scene, Peter brings with him two decades of experience at award-winning venues such as O’Connells and the 5* Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, where he held the position of Executive Head Chef for eight years.
Having joined Portmarnock in June 2025, Peter has spent months planning and refining new menus for the resort’s guests, with a particular focus on The Seaview restaurant. The Seaview has spectacular views of the Irish Sea through huge, panoramic windows, with the resort located on the famous Velvet Strand, a 5km stretch of golden sands less than 30 minutes outside Dublin.
The new menus with all dining options open to both residents and non-residents. From fish caught on the doorstep to locally-grown farm-fresh vegetables, the dishes are inspired by the hotel’s spectacular location. Signature dishes at The Seaview will include Miso-Glazed Grilled Octopus Tentacle, Black Pudding & Scallops, and Risotto Nero. Whilst the focus is on seafood, there are also wider options available, including meat and vegetarian options. Prices for main courses range from €24 to €48.
Executive Head Chef Peter Limbeck and his Portmarnock team
The resort celebrates its 30th birthday this year, with The Seaview having first opened its doors in 1996. The restaurant underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2024, extending from 50 to 70 seats, and creating booths for a more modern brasserie feel. Higher seating also allows guests away from the windows to take in the picturesque views of the spectacular coastline.
A reimagined afternoon tea menu is also available in The Seaview, and experienced pastry chef Alberto Borguna has worked alongside Peter to help create magnificent desserts and pastries for the hotel.
Peter has also redesigned the menu at the hotel’s Jameson Bar, which offers a more casual dining experience. New items available include Cote de Boeuf, Prawn Pil Pil and Caprese-Stuffed Avocado, alongside popular favourites such as the Jameson House Burger. The bar is located within the original Jameson House, which belonged to the famous whiskey dynasty, and dates back to 1847.
Peter Limbeck commented: “I joined the team at Portmarnock because I wanted a new challenge, and the opportunity to create a new and exciting food destination. So I took my time looking at all aspects of the food offering – from restaurants to room service and private dining. I’m often inspired by trends in the industry but also by the local community. Ireland has fantastic seafood and fresh produce, and how can I not be inspired by the magnificent location of Portmarnock Resort? I cannot wait for people to come along and try it out, and for the opportunity to get to know more of our local neighbours.”
Sergiu Healy is the General Manager of Food and Beverage at Portmarnock Resort. He said: “It’s been fantastic having Peter join the team, bringing more than two decades of expertise. He has revitalised our offering and we’re so excited for people to come and experience it for themselves. Portmarnock Resort offers a range of dining options, as well as lots of places to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by, or catch up with friends. The service and the food may feel luxury, but we pride ourselves on offering affordable options, a relaxed environment and something for all tastes.”
Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links offer a wide variety of dining and drinking options including the traditional An Sibin Pub, The Seaview, The 1780 Restaurant and the Jameson Bar.
For more information, visit https://www.portmarnock.com/
