A great demonstration was held at Kinvara on Sunday in furtherance of the object of the United Irish League. At an early hour the picturesque little town was thronged by a great concourse of people, and as each contingent arrived from surrounding parishes, ringing cheers greeted them. Clarenbridge and Rooveagh had a splendid turnout, headed by their fife and drum band, followed by an immense procession of horsemen dressed in green sashes and wearing their membership cards on their hats.
A large and most representative meeting of the people of Kinvara was held on Sunday week under the auspices of the United Irish League in the Temperance Hall, Kinvara. Mr Michael Curtain D.C., was voted to the chair. Amongst some of those present were;
Messrs. B.Quinn, D.C. B. Kilkelly, P. Hanlon, M. Melia,
P. Egan, M. Curtin D.C., J. Connor, P. Halvey, P. Cavanagh,
M. Killeen, J. Ballinger, J. Nilan, J. Cavanagh, D.C.
J. Forde, P. Tracy, B. Tannian, J. Hynes, J. Calnan
P. Calnan, T. Gill, J. Keane, F. Lally, P. Linnane
Bartly Bermingham, E. Holland, P. Hynes.
The Committee unanimously expressed their strongest condemnation of the communication of the bogus meeting of the Kinvara traders which appeared in the “Tribune,” and which was evidently the work of an inveterate enemy of the National cause. The Chairman said he was glad to see such a large representation from all parts of the parish to lend a helping hand in the project initiated by the friends and well-wishers of their respected president, Mr. T.P.Corless, on Sunday last. The branch would have started the project months ago if their president allowed them, and they were determined to leave no stone unturned until they would show him and their country at large that they were not unmindful of the invaluable services he had rendered his native parish, nor of the many sacrifices he had made on their behalf, and for the sake of the National cause. They were determined to show their practical appreciation of his work as a Nationalist by making the indemnity fund a great success, and they appealed to their fellow Nationalists in outside parishes to lend them a hand.
Downtown Kinvara Photo: EO’D
Mr. Jas Cavanagh, D.C., moved that Mr. Bartly Bermingham, merchant, Kinvara, be elected hon. treasurer to the Indemnity Fund. Mr. John Callaghan, Caherglissaun, seconded, and it was carried unanimously. Mr. Edward Holland and Mr. Michael Connolly, Kinvara, were co-opted on the committee with power to add to their number. Mr. John Holland, Kinvara, was elected hon. sec. along with John Hynes, Killina. The following were appointed to solicit subscriptions through the parishes;
Kinvara Town;
B.Bermingham
M. Connolly
James Cavanagh
P. Hynes
Knockaculeen and Cregboy;
Michael Curtin D.C.
Martin Melia
Cloosh and Kinturla
P. Fahy
J. Kelly
Geeha and Aughnish;
Twilight in Tawnagh Photo: EO’D
Michael Mahon
P. Egan
Martin Glynn
B. Curtin
Nogara;
John Keane
Michael Carty
Parkmore;
Michael Fahy
T. Claherty
E. Hynes
New Line, Currenroo, Shanclogh, Carrownamadra;
P. Whelan
M. Kelly
M. Moran
Funshin and Trellick;
Doorus Photo: EO’D
Joe Hynes
Pat Halvey
John Connor
John Carroll
P. Curtin
Moy and Gortskeagh;
Tom Gorman
Pat Healy
Bartly Quinn
Cappamore and Gortnaclogh
Michael Donohoe
John Flaherty
M. Quinn
Newtown, Boherbee, Cappacasheen;
Jas Cavanagh D.C.
J. Nilan
M. Killeen
P. Cavanagh
J. Ballinger
Ballybuck and Killina and Cahercon;
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P. Tracey
B. Tannian
J. Hynes
Jem Joyce
Martin Lynch
Caherglissaun and Carrowmore (Ardrahan)
P. Calnan
J. McNerney
Joe Forde
John Glynn
Cahervoneen, Poulnevia and Cahermore;
P. Lenane
J. Keane
T. Gill
J. Helebert
F. Lally
Loughcurra, Cloonsee, Dungora and Cartron;
Patrick Hynes
Pat Calnan
T. Keane
D. Hanlon.
The following subscriptions were handed in at meeting;
£1 each, John Hynes, John Callanan, Pat Cavanagh (Newtown), Bartly Bermingham, Edward Holand, James Cavanagh, D.C.
10s each – Michael Curtin, D.C.; B. Quinn D.C.
5s each – Martin Melia, Pat Hanlon, P. Hynes, T. Tracey etc.
The United Irish League visit Aughnish
Ever since the evictions on the island, or rather, peninsula of Aughnish, the Galway branch of the United Irish League have taken a deep interest in the condition of the islanders, and it was with a view of learning the true state of affairs that the energetic Secretary, Mr. P. Ussher, accompanied by a representative of the “Tribune,” paid a visit to Aughnish island on Sunday. A stout sailing boat was requisitioned and the trip across the Bay in ideal weather was much enjoyed. After a cruise of nearly two hours the party landed at New Quay, and then took a smaller boat across the narrow channel to the island.
full article in Kinvara and beyond at theburrenandbeyond.com
Connacht Tribune 16th April, 1910 p4JohnBlakeDillon Published in Michael Doheny, “The Felon’s Track” M H Gill & Son, Dublin, 1920 Project Gutenberg
If the people emulate the example of the brave men of Ballinderreen, by keeping their counsels to themselves, and giving no quarter to traitors, the days of landlord rule and rent office truculence are numbered in the district. The descendants of the men of Kinvara and Duras who, in the days of the 1848 Movement, shielded John Blake Dillon from the Government of the day, when a huge price was offered for his apprehension, and carried him away in triumph to an Atlantic liner bound for the “land of the free,” are surely not going to falter in the most supreme crisis in the history of the country.
The meeting will be addressed by Messrs Wm. J. Duffy; John Roche, M.P. Coghlan Briscoe; C.W. Cogan; Rev. B. Corcoran C.C. and several well-knownn public speakers. Mr C.W. Cogan, U.I.L. organiser has visited all the districts and organised immense contingents for the meeting. The Rev. Martin Keeley, C.C. has consented to preside. The chair will be taken at 1.30 pm sharp. Mr Thomas P. Corless, the indefatigable and energetic secretary and organiser of the meeting, has spared neither time nor trouble to make it a great success. The names of the different contingents should be handed in to the secretary early.
There was a striking element of humour on Monday in Kinvara when some stock belonging to Mr Corless, of the Sharpe estate, which were seized as a result of a decree for non-payment of rent, was offered for sale.
The house of Mr Gaffney, another tenant was also taken possession of by the bailiffs as a result of a decree.
The reason assigned by Mr Corless and Mr Gaffney for allowing decrees to be obtained against them is that they wished to make a protest against the attitude of the landlord and the agent.
Before the sale the stock were paraded through the streets of Kinvara. A milch cow was decorated with green ribbons and had a card of membership of the Town Tenants’ League attached to her horns and a card underneath bore the militant motto of “No surrender.”
A calf followed bearing another card with the inscription “Mother’s motto is mine.” Then came a little boy dressed in green, seated on a donkey, with the words “No surrender” printed on his coat.
The animals were purchased for £11 14s the amount of the decree, by Mr Colgan, a U.I.L. organiser. The sheriff’s bailiff then proceeded to Mr Gaffney’s premises and auctioned a pianoforte for £12 16s, Mr Colgan again being the purchaser.
Kentucky Irish American, 22nd June, 1901 p1
A very successful meeting was held at Tierneevan, near Gort, County Galway on Sunday, for the purpose of establishing a branch of the United Irish League.
In the absence of the Rev. Father Sweeny the chair was taken by John Quinn. The Chairman briefly and clearly explained the objects of the meeting, and said that it was gratifying to see the people of the parish supporting the cause of the United Irish League. W. J. Duffy, M.P. and James Lynham, who were received with loud cheers, addressed the meeting. A branch of the United Irish League was then formed and over eighty members enrolled. D. F. Burke was the first to set the example by giving a generous subscription. John Quinn was appointed President; Martin Nestor Treasurer and Michael Mitchell Secretary.
An amazing story of life at County Galway was told at the trial in Dublin last month of five men, Patrick Callanan, Michael Furey, Denis Kearns, Martin Moran, and Thomas Brennan, who were charged with shooting with intent.
The Solicitor-General said thirteen men were coming from Loughrea, in Galway. after attending a meeting of the Executive of the United Irish League, on the evening of January 21. At Craughwell they were fired upon by a party who were concealed. When passing William Furey’s house, which was about one mile from Craughwell, a FUSILLADE WAS OPENED ON THEM, and nothing but a miracle saved them from being killed.
There were fourteen men and one girl on three cars. At six o’clock on this even ing the prisoners were assembled in William Furey’s house. The occupants of the cars were singing, and the prisoners were perfectly aware who they were. When the second car got opposite William Furey’s between fifteen and twenty shots were fired at the occupants. John Kane was driving, and beside him was John Linnane, who was able to identify the prisoners by the light of the two powerful lamps which each car carried. It must have been revolvers that were fired, but the aim was bad,
When the first volley was fired the second car turned round, with the result that the light of the lamps was cast on the faces of the prisoners. These men wore no masks, but committed this outrage without disguise. Kane’s foot was struck with a revolver bullet and a bullet also passed through the step of the second car.
Mr. Justice Boyd, in the course of his charge to the jury, said he was amazed at the evidence that had been given.
The jury found the prisoners ‘Not guilty.’ Mr. Justice Boyd said, “I may say I thoroughly agree with the finding of the jury. I think probably they were there; I think probably they did what they ought not to have done; but on the whole facts of the case, as proved in evidence, I think the jury very wisely said ‘Not guilty.’
The Burren and Beyond 