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The Last Disco: The story of the Stardust tragedy
AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARDS WINNER 2024
'A riveting and important read, forensically documenting the state's failings while also relating the traumatic human fallout for a whole community for whom life would never be the same again' - Mick Clifford
'Meticulously compiled and unflinching yet sensitive, [this is] an exceptional record of a story that should never have happened' - Irish Independent
'A gripping page-turner, deftly balancing information, analysis and human story
[and] offers a single location where we can go to get our heads around one of the worst disasters in recent Irish history' - The Irish Times
In 1981, the Stardust nightclub in Dublin was a beacon for the city's nightlife - until it became a nightmare. On that fateful Valentine's Day the dance floor became a scene of horror, as flames engulfed the venue, claiming the lives of 48 young people and leaving the survivors scarred forever.
In this gripping account the harrowing true story is revealed, citing new evidence brought forward during recent inquests in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Through the eyes of the survivors, the families and investigators, compiled with meticulous research and compassionate portrayals of their voices, this poignant book honours the memories of those who were lost, while shedding light on the tragedy that still shocks the nation to this day.
'A riveting and important read, forensically documenting the state's failings while also relating the traumatic human fallout for a whole community for whom life would never be the same again' - Mick Clifford
'Meticulously compiled and unflinching yet sensitive, [this is] an exceptional record of a story that should never have happened' - Irish Independent
'A gripping page-turner, deftly balancing information, analysis and human story
[and] offers a single location where we can go to get our heads around one of the worst disasters in recent Irish history' - The Irish Times
In 1981, the Stardust nightclub in Dublin was a beacon for the city's nightlife - until it became a nightmare. On that fateful Valentine's Day the dance floor became a scene of horror, as flames engulfed the venue, claiming the lives of 48 young people and leaving the survivors scarred forever.
In this gripping account the harrowing true story is revealed, citing new evidence brought forward during recent inquests in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Through the eyes of the survivors, the families and investigators, compiled with meticulous research and compassionate portrayals of their voices, this poignant book honours the memories of those who were lost, while shedding light on the tragedy that still shocks the nation to this day.
- GenresNonfiction
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 2, 2025
The Stardust tragedy is one of the most devastating episodes of modern Irish history. In the early hours of February 14th 1981, a fire ripped through a north Dublin nightclub, claiming the lives of 48 young people. It has often been in the news in the years since, and I thought I knew a lot about it, but this terrific book has brought even more clarity and insight into that heartbreaking event.
The authors do an excellent job of setting the scene and highlighting the importance of the Stardust club to the local area. It was located in a building that was a former factory, and this was part of the problem, as its hasty conversion to a nightclub meant that it drastically failed to meet fire safety regulations. The club was particularly busy on the night in question as it was hosting the final of a disco-dancing competition.
What happened next is described in harrowing detail. A small fire broke out in one corner of the club, and a number of people noticed it, but there was no major concern. However it spread rapidly, aided by the fateful decision of the owners to decorate the walls in a carpet tile that was only meant for floors. Panic ensued and the efforts to escape were severely hindered by the fact that most of the emergency exits had chains on them. Fire brigades soon arrived on the scene but even by the time they entered the building they found bodies piled on top of one another behind the doors.
The book contains the memories of survivors from that night - the scars that will never leave them, their grief at the friends who never made it home. The authors talk to the families who lost loved ones and hear about their decades-long struggle for justice. A tribunal was set up in the immediate aftermath back in 1981, but nobody ever faced criminal prosecution for the fire. And worse still, it concluded that the likely cause was arson, carried out by one of the nightclub patrons, despite a total lack of evidence to support this claim. As you can imagine that caused immeasurable pain for the families involved.
However they never gave up their fight, and in 2023 a new inquest began in order to determine the true cause of those deaths. A significant portion of the book is given over this inquiry and it truly captures the unbelievable tension in the room. Pen portraits of the victims were read out by their loved ones, a beautiful tribute to remember the vibrant, colourful lives they all lived. Nightclub manager Eamonn Butterly gave evidence, defiant and keen to shift all blame onto anybody but himself. On April 18th 2024, the verdict was finally delivered - unlawful killing of all 48 victims. After 43 long years, the families of Stardust victims finally had justice.
I must commend the authors Sean Murray, Christine Bohan and Nicky Ryan on their superb account. They write with such dignity for the deceased and compassion for the survivors. They capture the sense of frustration and anger from the families of the 48 towards the State, who failed them time and time again. Even though I knew the outcome of the final inquest I welled up as they described the moment the verdict was read out. This is an essential read for anybody who wants to know more about that terrible night and a fitting tribute to the victims, whose stories will never be forgotten.
The authors do an excellent job of setting the scene and highlighting the importance of the Stardust club to the local area. It was located in a building that was a former factory, and this was part of the problem, as its hasty conversion to a nightclub meant that it drastically failed to meet fire safety regulations. The club was particularly busy on the night in question as it was hosting the final of a disco-dancing competition.
What happened next is described in harrowing detail. A small fire broke out in one corner of the club, and a number of people noticed it, but there was no major concern. However it spread rapidly, aided by the fateful decision of the owners to decorate the walls in a carpet tile that was only meant for floors. Panic ensued and the efforts to escape were severely hindered by the fact that most of the emergency exits had chains on them. Fire brigades soon arrived on the scene but even by the time they entered the building they found bodies piled on top of one another behind the doors.
The book contains the memories of survivors from that night - the scars that will never leave them, their grief at the friends who never made it home. The authors talk to the families who lost loved ones and hear about their decades-long struggle for justice. A tribunal was set up in the immediate aftermath back in 1981, but nobody ever faced criminal prosecution for the fire. And worse still, it concluded that the likely cause was arson, carried out by one of the nightclub patrons, despite a total lack of evidence to support this claim. As you can imagine that caused immeasurable pain for the families involved.
However they never gave up their fight, and in 2023 a new inquest began in order to determine the true cause of those deaths. A significant portion of the book is given over this inquiry and it truly captures the unbelievable tension in the room. Pen portraits of the victims were read out by their loved ones, a beautiful tribute to remember the vibrant, colourful lives they all lived. Nightclub manager Eamonn Butterly gave evidence, defiant and keen to shift all blame onto anybody but himself. On April 18th 2024, the verdict was finally delivered - unlawful killing of all 48 victims. After 43 long years, the families of Stardust victims finally had justice.
I must commend the authors Sean Murray, Christine Bohan and Nicky Ryan on their superb account. They write with such dignity for the deceased and compassion for the survivors. They capture the sense of frustration and anger from the families of the 48 towards the State, who failed them time and time again. Even though I knew the outcome of the final inquest I welled up as they described the moment the verdict was read out. This is an essential read for anybody who wants to know more about that terrible night and a fitting tribute to the victims, whose stories will never be forgotten.
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November 24, 2024“The Stardust Story, partially through the actions of the State, has become one of the most enduring tragedies in Irish history. As a nation, Ireland can never, and should never, forget it”.
The Last Disco; The Story of the Stardust Tragedy is the November book choice for @tiredmammybookclub. Sinéad and I went along earlier this month to @dublinbookfest to hear the three authors speak about the thorough research they did in preparation to write The Last Disco, and also how important it is to the families affected by this awful tragedy that their loved ones stories are told.
It’s a tough read in places, there’s no denying that, but this is a big part of recent Irish history and it’s vital, in my opinion, that we’re all properly informed about what took place that night in February 1981, and the decades long fight for justice that followed.
All three authors are seasoned journalists, which is immediately made clear by how sensitively and carefully written the book is. I have in the past read about the Stardust tragedy, and listened to a podcast about it (@murdermostirish did a great job of this) but this is the first time I’ve heard the full description of the recent inquest that finally gave the families the answers they’ve been seeking all these years.
48 people were unlawfully killed that night and we all owe a debt of gratitude to their loved ones for pursuing justice in their names, and for campaigning to improve our fire safety laws in this country.
A deeply sad but somewhat hopeful read.
Ordinary people can succeed in spite of huge obstacles in their way. They shouldn’t have had to fight so hard but their determination and bravery is astounding and should be respected by all.
I cried several times for those that were lost, for their broken families, and all those hopes and dreams gone.
But I’m glad that I read it. Recommend.
The Last Disco; The Story of the Stardust Tragedy is the November book choice for @tiredmammybookclub. Sinéad and I went along earlier this month to @dublinbookfest to hear the three authors speak about the thorough research they did in preparation to write The Last Disco, and also how important it is to the families affected by this awful tragedy that their loved ones stories are told.
It’s a tough read in places, there’s no denying that, but this is a big part of recent Irish history and it’s vital, in my opinion, that we’re all properly informed about what took place that night in February 1981, and the decades long fight for justice that followed.
All three authors are seasoned journalists, which is immediately made clear by how sensitively and carefully written the book is. I have in the past read about the Stardust tragedy, and listened to a podcast about it (@murdermostirish did a great job of this) but this is the first time I’ve heard the full description of the recent inquest that finally gave the families the answers they’ve been seeking all these years.
48 people were unlawfully killed that night and we all owe a debt of gratitude to their loved ones for pursuing justice in their names, and for campaigning to improve our fire safety laws in this country.
A deeply sad but somewhat hopeful read.
Ordinary people can succeed in spite of huge obstacles in their way. They shouldn’t have had to fight so hard but their determination and bravery is astounding and should be respected by all.
I cried several times for those that were lost, for their broken families, and all those hopes and dreams gone.
But I’m glad that I read it. Recommend.
August 24, 2024
Anyone who grew up in North Dublin knows about the Stardust tragedy. It's one of the clearest examples of this country's failure to seek justice for the families of people who died so tragically and senselessly. If you know next to nothing about The Stardust, this book is a great introduction, but that's about it. It primarily focuses on the lead up to the night of Valentine's day 1981, and then on the 2024 inquest which finally gave the verdict of unlawful killing. Unfortunately, the book is not exactly a comprehensive recollection of the entire story of the Stardust families. The 42 years between the event and the inquest are discussed, but mostly in regards to legal proceedings and how the original Tribunal failed the families. Occasionally the book will reference an event or an interaction that makes your jaw drop, but it never brings these events up again (such as the manager of the Silver Swan asking a fire fighter to check on money in the office before helping people evacuate the ballroom, or Bertie Ahern meeting a Stardust family member in a pub and refusing to speak to them).
As a surface level depiction of the events, I think the book does a fantastic job of centering the families, and it paints a harrowing picture of what happened on the night itself. I have faith that someone someday will write a truly comprehensive book on the entire story, but for now, this will have to do.
For the 48 who came home, and all those who fought for them.
As a surface level depiction of the events, I think the book does a fantastic job of centering the families, and it paints a harrowing picture of what happened on the night itself. I have faith that someone someday will write a truly comprehensive book on the entire story, but for now, this will have to do.
For the 48 who came home, and all those who fought for them.
November 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Last Disco by Sean Murray, Christine Bohan and Nicky Ryan
This book was written by three investigative journalists who also produced the very popular podcast Stardust. It was picked for the @tiredmammybookclub and I was very glad it was.
We are taken through the specific details of everyone’s movements who attended the Valentine disco in the Stardust nightclub on the night of Friday 13th 1981. You can feel the excitement jumping off the page as young girls and boys are getting ready for a night out, the last-minute practising for the dance competition and just the happiness of youth as they meet up with friends, chatting and laughing and looking forward to the night ahead.
All that ended in absolute horror when a fire broke out and as the crowd tried to escape they found doors locked and windows barred with steel sheets. I cried and sobbed as I read about the panic and sheer terror of people screaming as the fire took over and burned them to the ground. The details were so horrific that I had to take a break from reading them now and then. In one night so many lives had been changed, devastated and destroyed.
In the aftermath, it came to light that 48 people were never coming home again. The families wanted answers but they never got the right ones. The original tribunal “concluded that the more probable explanation of the fire is that it was caused deliberately”. This enraged the survivors and families and they were determined to seek the truth for the victims. They suffered so many setbacks but after 43 years the truth was finally revealed; that on the night of the fire, 48 people were unlawfully killed.
This was such a poignant story that will keep the memory of those 48 wonderful young people alive and never let the tragedy of what happened that faithful night be forgotten. This book illuminates the lack of fire safety back then, the many possible dangers that went unnoticed and the immense scarcity of firemen and fire engines. This all came to light after this incident and many needed changes were made because of this.
This was a harrowing yet compelling read that had me in awe of the families who never stopped fighting for their loved ones and the strength they found to share their stories so publicly.
After reading I had very bad thoughts about politicians such as Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern but also a newfound admiration for Christy Moore. There is so much I still want to discuss about this book but I will have to wait for the book club meeting.
This book was written by three investigative journalists who also produced the very popular podcast Stardust. It was picked for the @tiredmammybookclub and I was very glad it was.
We are taken through the specific details of everyone’s movements who attended the Valentine disco in the Stardust nightclub on the night of Friday 13th 1981. You can feel the excitement jumping off the page as young girls and boys are getting ready for a night out, the last-minute practising for the dance competition and just the happiness of youth as they meet up with friends, chatting and laughing and looking forward to the night ahead.
All that ended in absolute horror when a fire broke out and as the crowd tried to escape they found doors locked and windows barred with steel sheets. I cried and sobbed as I read about the panic and sheer terror of people screaming as the fire took over and burned them to the ground. The details were so horrific that I had to take a break from reading them now and then. In one night so many lives had been changed, devastated and destroyed.
In the aftermath, it came to light that 48 people were never coming home again. The families wanted answers but they never got the right ones. The original tribunal “concluded that the more probable explanation of the fire is that it was caused deliberately”. This enraged the survivors and families and they were determined to seek the truth for the victims. They suffered so many setbacks but after 43 years the truth was finally revealed; that on the night of the fire, 48 people were unlawfully killed.
This was such a poignant story that will keep the memory of those 48 wonderful young people alive and never let the tragedy of what happened that faithful night be forgotten. This book illuminates the lack of fire safety back then, the many possible dangers that went unnoticed and the immense scarcity of firemen and fire engines. This all came to light after this incident and many needed changes were made because of this.
This was a harrowing yet compelling read that had me in awe of the families who never stopped fighting for their loved ones and the strength they found to share their stories so publicly.
After reading I had very bad thoughts about politicians such as Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern but also a newfound admiration for Christy Moore. There is so much I still want to discuss about this book but I will have to wait for the book club meeting.
Read
February 2, 2025Wow. This is an incredibly well written book about such a difficult topic that has caused so many people so much pain.
The depth of knowledge and research exhibited by the authors was outstanding. It was so easy to follow - the way that the authors compiled it was terrific without it feeling overwhelming or confusing. I felt that it conveyed the humanity of the victims and their families just as well as the legal side.
I'm so glad for the families that they achieved justice - even if it took much too long - though my heart goes out to those who never lived long enough to see it. The 48 will remain immortal in public thought 💜
The depth of knowledge and research exhibited by the authors was outstanding. It was so easy to follow - the way that the authors compiled it was terrific without it feeling overwhelming or confusing. I felt that it conveyed the humanity of the victims and their families just as well as the legal side.
I'm so glad for the families that they achieved justice - even if it took much too long - though my heart goes out to those who never lived long enough to see it. The 48 will remain immortal in public thought 💜
September 1, 2024
An excellent, skillfully crafted account of the Stardust tragedy and the decades-long fight of the families for justice. Packs a major emotional punch in addition to being hugely informative and doesn't waste a word - I flew through it. Highly recommend!
October 29, 2024
Incredibly moving.
August 23, 2024
Imagine your child or children dying in a fire in a nightclub because the owner locked the emergency exits. Imagine then waiting over 40 years for justice because you are from the north side of Dublin, the working class side?
Stardust happened while I was a toddler and the elasticity of time is what stuck with me the most. It happened in living history, an atrocity of this scale happened recently in Ireland. That’s nuts.
I was hazy on the details, I thought the site would have been demolished and turned into a park, instead it’s now half hidden by a petrol station and there’s a memorial to the 48 who died along with Charlie Bird, the first reporter on the scene, who recently died of MND.
Once again, Charlie Haughey proves himself to be one of the most inhumane politicians on Earth (and he was from a stone’s throw away) although Bertie Ahern seemed keen to treat the survivors in an even worse manner. They just did not care about the victims one bit and weren’t afraid to show it or be on the wrong side of history. By the same token I don’t have much time for Sinn Fein (I see them as the IRA) but I learnt through this that Lynn Boylan worked fairly tirelessly on the victims’ behalf. Similarly other vignettes I loved were the details about Christy Moore and the horticulturist who helped out.
Despite being written by three journalists there’s no jarring stylistic difference. The story is told chronologically, the horrific fire (which will give you guaranteed nightmares) and then how the aftermath was somehow worse for the survivors.
In a weirdly present day move it was while they were wrapping up the inquest that they heard a commotion outside and it was a little girl being stabbed by a man, a stabbing that caused far right racists to riot and loot shops and set fires in the name of the protection of women and children.
Anyway, I digress. The stardust disaster was a stain on Irish society and should not be forgotten.
Stardust happened while I was a toddler and the elasticity of time is what stuck with me the most. It happened in living history, an atrocity of this scale happened recently in Ireland. That’s nuts.
I was hazy on the details, I thought the site would have been demolished and turned into a park, instead it’s now half hidden by a petrol station and there’s a memorial to the 48 who died along with Charlie Bird, the first reporter on the scene, who recently died of MND.
Once again, Charlie Haughey proves himself to be one of the most inhumane politicians on Earth (and he was from a stone’s throw away) although Bertie Ahern seemed keen to treat the survivors in an even worse manner. They just did not care about the victims one bit and weren’t afraid to show it or be on the wrong side of history. By the same token I don’t have much time for Sinn Fein (I see them as the IRA) but I learnt through this that Lynn Boylan worked fairly tirelessly on the victims’ behalf. Similarly other vignettes I loved were the details about Christy Moore and the horticulturist who helped out.
Despite being written by three journalists there’s no jarring stylistic difference. The story is told chronologically, the horrific fire (which will give you guaranteed nightmares) and then how the aftermath was somehow worse for the survivors.
In a weirdly present day move it was while they were wrapping up the inquest that they heard a commotion outside and it was a little girl being stabbed by a man, a stabbing that caused far right racists to riot and loot shops and set fires in the name of the protection of women and children.
Anyway, I digress. The stardust disaster was a stain on Irish society and should not be forgotten.
Read
December 3, 2024I was 8 months old when the Stardust fire happened. I grew up hearing about the Stardust in hushed tones, and then reading about what happened that fateful Valentine’s night in 1981, not really fully comprehending the scale of the tragedy until I reached my teenage years.
Even now, it’s hard to grasp the horror and devastation of what happened that night, when 48 young people with their lives ahead of them - with an average of just 19 - went to a disco in Artane and never came home. I still have the episode of Reeling in the Years stuck in my head and the Christy Moore song.
This book is meticulously written and it will surely now forever be *the* definitive account of the tragedy that unfolded that night in 1981, and the fight for justice by the families of the young victims that finally saw a verdict of unlawful killing reached at inquests earlier this year, 43 long years after their deaths.
It’s also written with real compassion and care for the survivors and families. As a reader, your heart breaks several times over reading it, and you feel that huge rush of emotion in the final scenes in the Coroners Court 😭.
The book also serves to highlight just how hard it is to access justice as an ordinary citizen in Ireland, where, without significant financial means, you can go to the High Court and risk financial ruin, or make it your life’s work railing and struggling against bureaucracy and political inertia (or worse, collusion and cover ups at the highest levels). The tenacity and determination of the bereaved families is awe-inspiring.
The Last Disco won the Last Word Listeners’ Choice award at the A Post Book Awards, deservedly so.
Even now, it’s hard to grasp the horror and devastation of what happened that night, when 48 young people with their lives ahead of them - with an average of just 19 - went to a disco in Artane and never came home. I still have the episode of Reeling in the Years stuck in my head and the Christy Moore song.
This book is meticulously written and it will surely now forever be *the* definitive account of the tragedy that unfolded that night in 1981, and the fight for justice by the families of the young victims that finally saw a verdict of unlawful killing reached at inquests earlier this year, 43 long years after their deaths.
It’s also written with real compassion and care for the survivors and families. As a reader, your heart breaks several times over reading it, and you feel that huge rush of emotion in the final scenes in the Coroners Court 😭.
The book also serves to highlight just how hard it is to access justice as an ordinary citizen in Ireland, where, without significant financial means, you can go to the High Court and risk financial ruin, or make it your life’s work railing and struggling against bureaucracy and political inertia (or worse, collusion and cover ups at the highest levels). The tenacity and determination of the bereaved families is awe-inspiring.
The Last Disco won the Last Word Listeners’ Choice award at the A Post Book Awards, deservedly so.
August 28, 2024
I think anyone who grew up in North dublin knows about the stardust. What perhaps people didn't know is just how arduous it was for the families of the 48 to get justice. It repeatedly highlights the failures of successive governments to treat them with respect whilst highlighting the classism and social structures that impeded any progress they made.
I think the book struck the right balance of respecting the families' rights to privacy while continuously keeping them centred. Their grief is not something the public is owed for further consumption, particularly after such a long struggle for justice. The narrative here is respectful, informative, insightful, and often deeply moving. I appreciate the strength it must have taken for the families to share all that they did of themselves and their lost loved ones' lives over the forty-three years; it should never have been required of them. They were done a great wrong, and this book highlights it well.
This is a book that people need to read, what happened in the stardust and in the aftermath should not be forgotten. The 48 should not be forgotten. I am only so sorry they never came home.
I think the book struck the right balance of respecting the families' rights to privacy while continuously keeping them centred. Their grief is not something the public is owed for further consumption, particularly after such a long struggle for justice. The narrative here is respectful, informative, insightful, and often deeply moving. I appreciate the strength it must have taken for the families to share all that they did of themselves and their lost loved ones' lives over the forty-three years; it should never have been required of them. They were done a great wrong, and this book highlights it well.
This is a book that people need to read, what happened in the stardust and in the aftermath should not be forgotten. The 48 should not be forgotten. I am only so sorry they never came home.
September 21, 2024
An important story, expertly and compassionately told.
November 15, 2024
Very well wrote book. A good chunk of the second half of the book discusses alot of the tribunals and the route for seeking unlawful killing as the cause of murder.
January 4, 2025
While this event happened before my time I always remember people talking about the Stardust tragedy. This book takes us through the stories of those that were there, the horrific events of that fateful night and the years that followed while families fought to find justice and peace for their loved ones.
I think everyone should read this book.
I think everyone should read this book.
June 14, 2025
A very thorough and harrowing account of the Stardust fire. First 2/3 particularly excellent and provide great detail of the fire and the aftermath. Last 1/3 less so.
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