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The Fenian rising in Dublin, March 1867

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2016

Shin-ichi Takagami
Shin-ichi Takagami*
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Osaka Sangyo University
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Extract

The story of the Fenian rising in 1867 may be regarded as starting with the expulsion of James Stephens from the headship of one of the two factions of American Fenians in December 1866. Stephens tried to postpone a rising planned to take place before 1 January 1867. At that time there was vocal dissatisfaction within the rank and file at the lack of action. The Dublin organisation itself was divided on the question. According to the report of Superintendent Ryan of the Dublin Metropolitan Police in January 1867:

The minor members of the conspiracy made open profession of doubts regarding the sincerity of James Stephens and some went so far as to say they would abandon the movement altogether, but the more prominent members ... made all sorts of apologies for the inability of Stephens to fulfil his promise.

Thomas J. Kelly, a former captain in the Federal army now bearing a title of colonel in Fenian terminology, and who had been in Ireland in early 1866, could now count on considerable support in Ireland. A bigger problem he faced was that of bringing the Fenians in Britain under his leadership as soon as he returned from America. Those Americans already in England (largely men who had fled from Ireland after the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act (29 Vict., c. 4) in February 1866), as well as many of the Irish Fenians there, already entertained doubts about the future purpose of an organisation guided by a remote leadership in America. As a result, the American officers and the Fenians in England decided to launch a rising without waiting for future American help, and for this purpose they formed a Directory in England not later than early February but more probably in January 1867.

Type
Research Article
Information
Irish Historical Studies , Volume 29 , Issue 115 , May 1995 , pp. 340 - 362
Copyright
Copyright © Irish Historical Studies Publications Ltd 1995

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References

1 For the Dublin rising see Kee, Robert, The green flag: a history of Irish nationalism (London, 1972)Google Scholar; Broin, Leon O, Fenian fever: an Anglo-American dilemma (London, 1971 Google Scholar). For the rising outside Dublin see Seoighe, Mainchin, ‘The Fenian attack on Kilmallock police barracks’ in N. Munster Antiq.Jn., x (1966-7), pp 157-68Google Scholar; McGrath, Walter, ‘The Fenian rising in Cork’ in Ir. Sword, viii, no. 33 (1968), pp 322-35Google Scholar; Nolan, Peter, ‘Fariola, Massey and the Fenian rising’ in Cork Hist. Soc. In., lxxv, no. 221 (1970), pp 1–11 Google Scholar. Comerford, R.V., The Fenians in context: Irish politics and society, 1848–82 (Dublin, 1985)Google Scholar has presented the history of the Fenians, giving a fresh interpretation to Fenian history dominated by a nationalist interpretation.

2 See D’Arcy, William, The Fenian movement in the United States, 1858–86 (Washington, 1947), pp 218–20 Google Scholar; Ryan, Desmond, The Fenian chief (Dublin, 1967), pp 243–51 Google Scholar.

3 Supt Ryan to commissioners of Dublin Metropolitan Police (henceforth C.P.), 1 Jan. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/307 on 1867/12894).

4 N.L.L, MS 7517, p. 233: N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(c), p. 44. This Directory consisted of seven civilians and eight American officers; among the civilians were John Nolan, John Ryan, John Flood alias Howard, Murphy (ex-centre for Limerick) and Leddy (Centre for Limerick); General Halpin, Colonels Burke and Healy, Beecher and Captain McCafferty were among the officer members, as was an obscure but apparently important man named Evans. The absence of prominent Fenians resident in Ireland from this Directory points to its initial inspiration in England.

5 Supt Ryan to C.P., 19 Jan. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/1157).

6 Supt Ryan to C.P., 18 Jan.1867 (ibid., 1867/1153).

7 Head constable of the Irish Constabulary (henceforth H.C.) McHale to inspector general of police, Irish Constabulary (henceforth I.G.P.), 7 Feb. 1867 (N.A.I., F papers F 2362 on C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3178).

8 N.L.I., MS 7517, p. 236; N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 45; Irishman, 12 Sept. 1868. Kerry Fenians started a rising ( Lúing, Séan O, ‘Aspects of the Fenian rising in Kerry’, in Kerry Arch. Soc. Jn., iii (1970), pp 131–53 Google Scholar, iv (1971), pp 139–64;, v (1972), pp 103–32, vi (1973), pp 172–94, vii (1974), pp 107–33.

9 N.L.L, MS 7517, p. 236; N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 9(a), p. 56; Anderson, Robert, Sidelights on the home rule movement (London, 1906), p. 64 Google Scholar. Cluseret served in the French army in the Italian campaign of 1859–60 and in the Federal army during the American Civil War (D’Arcy, Fenian movement in U.S., p. 240).

10 N.L.L, MS 7517, p. 238; N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(c), pp 20–1; Irishman, 12 Sept. 1868.

11 N.L.I., MS 7517, p. 259; N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(c), pp 21–3.

12 For the American officers see Takagami, Shin-ichi, ‘The Dublin Fenians’ (unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Trinity College, Dublin, 1990)Google Scholar, ch. 5.

13 N.L.I., MS 5964, pp 61, 118–21.

14 See Takagami, ‘The Dublin Fenians’, ch 6; Semple, A. J., “The Fenian infiltration of the British army’ in Army Hist. Research Soc. Jn., lii (1974), pp 133–60 Google Scholar.

15 Devoy, John, Recollections of an Irish rebel (New York, 1929), pp 109-11Google Scholar.

16 Acting Supt Hughes to C.P.. 6 Oct. 1866 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1866/18364).

17 Supt Ryan to C.P., 5 Dec. 1866 (ibid., 1867/15695).

18 Gustave Cluseret, ‘My connection with Fenianism’ in Fraz.er’s Magazine, July 1872, p. 35.

19 Irishman, 12 Sept. 1868; Cluseret,’My connection with Fenianism’, pp 57–9.

20 Ó Broin, Fenian fever, pp 144, 200.

21 Irishman, 12 Sept. 1868.

22 Colonel Kelly to ———, 19 Mar. 1867 (quoted in D’Arcy, Fenian movement in U.S., p. 240).

23 N.A.L, Fenian briefs, 9(a), p. 62.

24 H.C. McHale to I.G.P., 14 Feb. 1867 (N.A.I., F papers, F 2442); see H.C. Meagher to I.G.P., 17 Feb.1867 (ibid., F 2522).

25 See H.C. McHale to I.G.P., 14 Feb. 1867 (ibid., F 2391).

26 Brownrigg to ———, 27, 28 Feb. 1867 (N.L.I., Larcom papers, MS 7593).

27 See Takagami, ‘The Dublin Fenians’, ch 7.

28 For example, Supt Ryan to C.P., 12 Feb.1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/2643).

29 Supt Ryan to C.P., 25 Feb. 1867 (ibid., 1867/6352).

30 Supt Ryan to C.P., 3 Mar. 1867 (ibid., 1867/3813).

31 Supt Ryan to C.P., 4 Mar. 1867 (ibid., 1867/6338).

32 Supt Ryan to C.P., 5 Mar. 1867 (ibid., 1867/3820).

33 Ibid.

34 H.C. McHale to I.G.P., 7 Feb. 1867 ibid., 1867/1375 on 1867/3178); Supt Ryan to C.P., 12 Feb.1867 (ibid., 1867/2642).

35 Supt Ryan to C.P., 19 Feb.1867 (ibid., 1867/6341).

36 Brownrigg to ———, 28 Feb. 1867 (N.L.I., Larcom papers, MS 7593).

37 Supt Ryan to C.P., 3 Mar. 1867 (N. A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3813); Supt Ryan to C.P., 4 Mar. 1867 (ibid., 1867/6338).

38 Supt Ryan to C.P., 5 Mar. 1867 ibid., 1867/3820).

39 Lord Strathnairn to adjutant general of the forces, Horse Guards, 7 Mar. 1867 (N.L.I., Kilmainham papers, MS 1240).

40 Devoy, Recollections, p. 193.

41 Denieffe, Joseph, A personal narrative of the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood (New York, 1906), p. 137 Google Scholar.

42 Meteorological service, Department of Tourism and Transport, kindly provided me with this information.

43 Magistrate Carte to chief secretary, 8 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3829).

44 N L.I., Mayo papers, MS 11191 (quoted in Ó Broin. Fenian fever, pp 147–8).

45 Lord Strathnairn to ———, 7 Mar. 1867 (P.R.O., HO 45/7799/195); Ó Broin, Fenian fever, p. 152.

46 Supt Ryan to C.P., 1 Apr. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/5820).

47 Denieffe, Personal narrative, pp 136–7.

48 Devoy, Recollections, pp 203–4. In my dissertation I identified Col. White’s demesne with Clonsilla, but later information kindly supplied by Mr Shay Courtney, suggests beyond doubt that it was Killakee.The Killakee property is also referred to as Massey’s.

49 Devoy, Recollections, p. 27.

50 Supt Ryan to C.P., 18 Feb. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.R 1867/2767).

51 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a). p. 60.

52 Ibid., p. 128.

53 Freeman’s Journal, 7 Mar. 1867.

54 C.P. O’Ferrall to U.S., 5 Mar. 1867 (N.L.I., Larcom papers, MS 7594).

55 Supt Donovan to C.P.,6 Mar.1867 (N.A.I. C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3821);See Supt Ryan to C.P.,6 Mar.1867 (ibid., 1867/3750).

56 C.P. O’Ferrall to U.S., 5 Mar. 1867 (N.L.I., Larcom papers, MS 7594).

57 Supt Ryan to C.P., 6 Mar.1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3750); N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 60, 92, 94.

58 N.A.I. Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 60; see Supt Ryan to C.P., 20 Mar.1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/4907 on 1867/7550).

59 N.A.L, C.S.O., R.P. 1867/7199; Devoy, Recollections, p. 197.

60 Denvir, John, The Irish in Britain from the earliest times to the fall and death of Parnell (London, 1894), p. 227 Google Scholar.

61 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 93.

62 Supt Donovan to C.P.,6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3819); Supt Ryan to C.P., 2 Apr. 1867 (ibid., 1867/5841 on F 3637); N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 97, 165; Devoy, Recollections, p. 200.

63 Freeman’s Journal, 1 Mar. 1867.

64 Devoy, Recollections, p. 200.

65 Constable Mcllwaine to Sub-Inspector Burke, 7 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., F papers, F 2694); N. A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 95; Devoy, Recollections, p. 200.

66 Devoy, Recollections, p. 200. “N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 98.

68 Devoy, Recollections, p. 200.

69 Supt Donovan to C.P.,6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3819); N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 95, 98, 165.

70 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 155.

71 lbid., p. 169.

72 Ibid., pp 156, 167. 169; Supt Donovan to C.P., 6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3819).

73 Constable Mcllwaine to Sub-Inspector Burke, 6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., F papers, F 2694).

74 Supt Ryan to C.P., 6 Mar.1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3750).

75 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 93, 97, 155.

76 Devoy, Recollections, p. 201.

77 Denieffe, Personal narrative, p. 141.

78 Magistrate Carte to chief secretary, 8 Mar.1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3829).

79 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 166.

80 Devoy, Recollections, pp 203–4.

81 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 3, 36.

82 Ó Broin, Fenian fever, p. 151.

83 N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), p. 36.

84 Ibid., p. 68.

85 Ibid., pp36,41.

86 Ibid., p. 36.

87 Devoy, Recollections, p. 204.

88 See Irishman, 9 Mar. 1867.

89 Supt Ryan to C.P., 31 Dec. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/22667 on 2103R).

90 Takagami, ‘The Dublin Fenians’, p. 83.

91 Larcom to Lord Naas, 6 Mar.1867 (N.L.I., Mayo papers, MS 11188).

92 Freeman’s Journal, 7, 8 Mar. 1867.

93 Supt Ryan to C.P., 6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3750).

94 Lord Strathnairn to ———, 7 Mar. 1867 (P.R.O., HO 45/7799/195).

95 Magistrate Carte to chief secretary, 8 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3829); N.A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 12, 14; Freeman ‘s Journal, 1 Mar. 1867; Irishman, 9 Mar. 1867.

96 Magistrate Carte to chief secretary, 8 Mar. 1867 (N. A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3829).

97 Lord Strathnairn to ———, 7 Mar. 1867 (P.R.O., HO 45/7799/195).

98 Magistrate Carte to chief secretary, 8 Mar. 1867 (N. A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3829).

99 N. A.I., Fenian briefs, 6(a), pp 74, 103–4,106,116.

100 Supt Ryan to C.P., 6 Mar. 1867 (N.A.I., C.S.O., R.P. 1867/3750).

101 Irishman, 19 Mar.1867.

102 Devoy, Recollections, p. 203.

103 Denieffe, Personal narrative, pp 136–7.

104 Devoy, Recollections, p. 204.

105 About 60 per cent of the Dublin Fenians were artisans (see Takagami, ‘The Dublin Fenians’, ch 4).

106 See Newsinger, John, ‘Fenianism revisited: pastime or revolutionary movement?’ in Saothar, xvii (1992), pp 46–52 Google Scholar; R. V. Comerford, ‘Comprehending the Fenians, ibid., pp 52–6.

107 This paper is a revised version of chapter 8 of ‘The Dublin Fenians, 1858–79’ (unpublished Ph.D. thesis, trinity College, Dublin, 1990 Google Scholar). As my supervisor, Professor L. M. Cullen guided me with constant encouragement for which I owe a special debt of gratitude.