John Francis Maguire MP...Wm. Smith O'Brien...John Bright MP. Isaac Butt MP. Charles S Parnell MP.Michael Davitt...John Dillon MP. J.E. Redmond MP.Maud Gonne. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington. Patrick Pearse, Michael O'Callaghan & Sir Roger Casement spoke at the Limerick Athenaeum.
These lectures were attended by the Mayors, MPs & Freemen of Limerick
with an audience of thousands of citizens.
The rediscovery of texts of lost speeches by John Francis Maguire, William Smith O' Brien, John Bright, Isaac Butt, Charles Stuart Parnell, Michael Davitt, Maud Gonne, Patrick Pearse and Sir Roger Casement are clearly of interest to historians. These are all the more interesting in that these distinguished speakers were introduced onto the lectern by local supporters whose descendants today will find their speeches particularly relevant. For example, at a dinner to celebrate the granting of the Freedom of Limerick to Michael Davitt in 1884, Mr John Dundon, a local solicitor, made a brilliant contribution to the debate on the Franchise Bill. He spoke of "the terrible distrust of justice" in Limerick because of the prevailing legal and political situation.
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"Distrust of justice". |
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Amongst the large audience were Michael Joyce, (later MP for Limerick) Stephen O'Mara, TC and Rev. D. Humphreys, CC of Newport who listened with keen interest. Each of these men were later to write themselves into Irish history. Months earlier, Oscar Wilde, had performed in Limerick. Wilde, a man of taut epigrams, once observed: "Anyone can make history; only a great man can write it". The Davitt night was a celebration; the Boherbuoy Band played on with the music of "Beauties of Ireland" with Mr T. O'Brien as their musical conductor.
The Athenaeum Archives reflect the political changes in Ireland from the Famine to Easter 1916. Indeed, so alarmed did the authorities become at the license for freedom of speech given by the Council of the Athenaeum, that they instructed the Corporation to close the place down. There was uproar in the city. But in the end the Corporation used the funding of the Art School and the Technical Education scheme in the late 1890s as a means of seizing control. In 1900, Unionist supporters of Queen Victoria hired the Hall to declare their loyalty in an address of welcome for Her visit to Ireland. Hundreds of these names from Limerick city and county are duly recorded for posterity. Months later, the Corporation refused permission to Maud Gonne to speak there. Alderman Michael Joyce, ex riverboat pilot and newly elected MP for Limerick sprang to her defence by pointing out the inconsistency of their decision. He argued that the meeting of support for the Queen was "political". The Corporation changed their decision. However, Maud Gonne was warned not to speak about politics in Ireland. Maud Gonne was an accomplished actress. Her speech is a masterpiece of oratorical deception and pure theatre.
Other great social and political issues of that age are recorded. The Jubilee Nurses' Movement was founded in 1897 and in 1891, the Limerick Labourers' Dwelling Company met to initiate the construction of public housing. In 1896, the Irish Trades Union Congress was held there, followed by the Irish National Teachers Congress in 1899. The Suffrage Movement in Limerick began in 1874 with an advert for a meeting. hosted by Miss Beedy MA, Miss Todd and Miss H. P. Dowling. It is a reflection of the times that no reviews of the meeting were published in either of the Limerick newspapers. By 1911, editorial attitudes had changed. The speeches of Mrs Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and Ms Christobel Pankhurst were duly reported and deemed sufficiently newsworthy to warrant even editorial comment.
Christobel Pankhurst (1880-1958), suffragette, was the eldest daughter of Emmeline and Richard Pankhurst. She was refused admission to study law at Lincoln's Inn because she was a woman. A friend of Eva Gore-Booth, sister of Countess Markieviez ( who was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons in 1918), both women agitated for better working conditions in the textile mills of Britain. In June 1908, she spoke at a celebrated Suffrage meeting at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park which attracted an audience of over a 500,000 supporters. Months later, she and her mother was arrested for leading a "rush of suffragettes" against the House of Commons.
Mr William Abraham, garden nurseryman and brother in law of Sir Peter Tait, and later MP for Limerick County (West), learnt the art of public speaking at the amateur Reading & Musical theatrical nights held in 1875, where his rhymes were used as curtain raisers to start the evenings entertainment. The following extract gives a feel of the night.
"I move that Mr. Parnell's tenure of this party is hereby terminated"
Political wolves attack C.S. Parnell
"With your permission, we appear to-night,
To vouch our "Readings" fit for ears polite.
You are our Critics, and your presence here
Assures us truly we have naught to fear;
Though fearless, ever -to your judgement yield,
Our right to stand or fall upon this field.
The Athenaeum rests on neutral ground,
This third year's test doth prove it true and sound-
True as the Irish hearts your smiles delight -
True as the beauty we behold, this night.
Our minds as free as in the passing wind,
All thoughts of Party feud are cast behind;
From this, our Hall, Polemics flee afar-
No politics upon your ears shall jar.
Art is our mistress - to whom we're bound,
Her lessons heeded, lasting joys are found,
We cannot fail in our performances here;
To mark advancing strides from year to year.
So on this stage of Harmony we'll play....
...With the New Year, may fresh joys be your lot,
And our bright page be free from every blot.
May you, our Friends, in health and strength survive
Long years beyond this Eighteen Seventy-five".
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"...that spirit of self reliance which I invite you to cherish" |
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William Smith O'Brien (1803-1864). Elected MP for Clare in 1830s and later for Co. Limerick. He campaigned for improvements in the Passenger Acts to protect the lives of emigrants sailing to North America on board the "coffin ships". He became sympathetic to the Repeal Association movement of Daniel O'Connell which changed his political outlook. Sentenced to death for high treason in 1848 following his abortive Insurrection; the sentence was commuted to exile in Tasmania. He was granted a parole on the grounds of ill health in 1856. He lectured at the Athenaeum in 1857 and donated part of his library to the Athenaeum in 1863. He was reviled as a traitor to his own class and rejected by his family on his return from exile.
"I am deeply impressed with a conviction of a twofold kind. First, that Ireland in general and Limerick in particular, has not yet attained that degree of intellectual advancement which its people are competent to reach; and, secondly - that in order to develop all the resources of this country, whether material, moral or intellectual, we ought to rely under Providence, not upon external assistance, but upon the energy and perseverance of the inhabitants of this island... I shall only observe that self government is the consequence rather than the cause of that spirit of self reliance which I invite you to cherish"- William Smith O'Brien at the Limerick Athenaeum 1857
Full text of speech available Here
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 | "I regard famine and pestilence as instruments appointed by Providence,
which trace the ignorance and folly and
the crimes of men....I regard [the State Church] as a symbol of ancient terror". |
John Bright MP (1811-1889) English orator and statesman made an early reputation for his campaign speeches for the abolition of the Corn Laws. He was first elected to Parliament in 1843. He took an enlightened interest in Irish affairs following a months fact-finding visit in 1849. In a speech in Birmingham in 1865, he denounced the established church in Ireland as a source of discontent an campaigned for repeal. He was given a place in the cabinet of Gladstone's first ministry in December 1868, a move which was attacked in the conservative Punch magazine. Earlier in July, he lectured at the Limerick Athenaeum on the issue of Disestablishment of the State Church, a speech which received widespread coverage in English newspapers. Whilst in Limerick, he fished at Castleconnell in the company of his friend, the American millionaire, Mr Peabody. The Land Act of 1870 is remembered as the beginning of Land reform in Ireland and contains the famous "Bright clauses" which he inserted against powerful opposition in the House of Commons. At his death in 1889, the Limerick Chronicle in an editorial mourned his passing noting that he was a "true friend to Ireland".
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"an Athenaeum worthy of this great city" |
| Isaac Butt MP (Limerick). |
Isaac Butt MP (1813-1879) born in County Donegal of a family with Co. Limerick connections. He was elected to the Irish Bar in 1838. His early political views reflected the Unionist traditions of his upbringing but the effects of the Famine caused a change in his political outlook. In 1847 he published The Famine on the Land" pointing out to London that neglect of Ireland could lead to a break-up of the Union. In 1848 he defended the Young Irelanders including William Smith O'Brien MP at his court marshal trial for his role in the failed insurrection. He was first elected MP for Harwich in England in 1852, later in Youghal. In 1871, he was elected MP for Limerick and held the seat until his death. It was from this constituency that he initiated his Home Rule parliamentary crusade. In 1873, he founded the Home Rule League which succeeded in returning fifty nine members to Parliament. In his brilliant speech on Home Rule in the House of Commons on March 20, 1874 , Butt stated the aims of the Home Rulers simply: "We ask that Ireland shall have the management of all exclusively Irish affairs". He drew attention to the fact that Ireland was a virtual police state under British Rule and drew an example of the absurdity of everyday life in Ireland "where an Irish actor playing Hamlet was arrested and taken from the theatre and kept in prison from Saturday night until Monday morning, when he was brought before a magistrate on a charge of having arms in his possession". The Prime Minister attacked the speech saying that there were two methods of dealing with grievances in the House, "one by endeavouring to cure them, and one by endeavouring to create them". The contempt shown by Parliament to Isaac Butt was not lost on the younger members of the Irish Party who formulated a different tactic that would force the House to listen. That policy was obstructionism and the use of the filibuster. Isaac Butt weakened by personal gambling debts and ill health yielded the leadership to Charles Stuart Parnell in 1878, the year when he was given the Freedom of Limerick. His belief in constitutionality is shown in the speeches he made at the Athenaeum. Typically, he respected the rules of the Institution; both speeches are non-political. In 1872 he lectured on the subject of "Intellectual Progress" and in 1877 on "The Art of Constantinople".
" I remember perfectly when the coach from Limerick to Dublin, travelling 8 miles an hour, was a miracle of speed... the men who advocated the general education of the people were denounced as men subverting the order of society. The phrase "the schoolmaster is abroad" was branded as the watchword of revolution...I have said that institutions such as this - the Athenaeum, the Mechanic's Institute and other kindred establishments - are the product and the signs of this upheaving of mental energy and thought, which has marked the century in which we live...I do hope and I do believe that by an effort in which all of us could cordially join, in which all divisions might be forgotten and all jealousies laid aside, Limerick will maintain an Athenaeum worthy of this great city...(in the city that is the birthplace of Gerald Griffin) we must always find someone with genius to illustrate our local traditions and our local history"- Isaac Butt at the Limerick Athenaeum 1872.
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"The days of English misrule are numbered" Charles S. Parnell |
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Charles S. Parnell MP. (1846-1891) was first elected to Parliament. in 1875 and in 1879 following the death of Isaac Butt became the leader of the Irish Party. He developed the technique of obstructionism to delay Parliamentary business, using to all-night filibusters in the House to draw attention to the Irish Land tenure problems. In 1879 he was elected president of the newly founded National Land League founded by Michael Davitt. In 1880, he visited the USA and Canada where he was introduced as the "uncrowned King of Ireland". Months later, he lectured in the Athenaeum following a ceremony granting him the Freedom of Limerick. In 1881 Parnell initiated the "boycott" technique as a means of isolating uncooperative landlords. The success of this policy landed him in a Dublin jail where he reached agreement with the Prime Minister, Mr Gladstone. The compromise, known as the Kilmainham Treaty which resulted in the release of Parnell in return for the abandonment the "no-rent" policy. The Phoenix Park Murders in June 1882 by the Irish Invincibles, a militant terrorist group, undermined Parnell's political tactics and led to the introduction of harsh Coercive Laws. In 1885, Parnell, whose party held the balance of power in Parliament, voted against Gladstone, over the extension of these laws causing a general election. In 1889 Parnell's marriage to the divorcee Katherine O' Shea brought the wrath of the Irish Catholic Church upon him which ultimately led to his downfall." Ironically if it was the death of one Limerick MP, Isaac Butt in 1879 that gave Parnell the Leadership of the Irish Parliamentary Party; it was a motion tabled by another Limerick MP, William Abraham, that took the leadership away from him in Committee Room 15 in the House of Commons on 1st December 1890. The controversy split the Irish Nationalist Party for a generation. James Joyce in his novel "Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man" brilliantly captures the bitterness of that period.
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"The time will come when Ireland shall be prosperous as other nations...I don't believe much in Englishmen; but I cannot suppose that if they knew the state of affairs in Ireland they would tolerate such a state of things as exists in this country ...Mr Chamberlain says that no one pretends that the Irish leaders will not get a fair trial. I know that when Michael Davitt (cheers) was put on trial, twelve months ago, the detective forces were put in working order for the purposes of seeing that no liberal should be put on the jury (hear, hear). It is just as easy for the Government to get a jury packed now as in the days of O'Connell. Formerly the Government packed a jury through the agency of their Sheriffs, for it was their duty to call the jury, but now that power is out of their hands (cheers). Yet the traversers have only the limited right of challenging six of the jury, so you see that the odds are rather against us...Men are to be prosecuted in Ireland for an offence that would not be tolerated as such in England ...It is my thorough conviction that, at any rate, the days of English misrule are numbered in Ireland (applause)".- Charles S. Parnell at the Limerick Athenaeum 1880.
Full text of speech available Here
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"The Growth of the Irish race" |
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Michael Davitt (1846-1906) In 1865, he joined the Fenians and in 1870 was imprisoned for 15 years but was released after seven years due to the intervention of Butt and Parnell. In 1879, he founded the Land League with Parnell as President. He was elected MP for Co. Meath in 1882. He believed in the nationalisation of the land for the benefit of the tenants. He lectured at the Athenaeum in 1884 at a dinner to celebrate being awarded the Freedom of Limerick. The fall of Parnell in 1890 caused a split in the Irish Party at Westminister. He retired from politics in 1899 to devote his life to his writings.
"The growth of the Irish race, notwithstanding the persecutions and trials they had to undergo, proved that their country was destined for high and noble purposes. Notwithstanding the efforts of English rule to crush them; notwithstanding the swords and persecutions and famines, they still survived; they were still in a majority in the country (hear, hear). Notwithstanding those efforts to denationalise and West Britonize them, it was yet the fact that they had assimilated the foreign elements and those that had settled themselves in the country had become more Irish than the Irish themselves".Michael Davitt at the Limerick Athenaeum 1884.
Full Speech Here
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"...Limerick had taken an historic part " |
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J.E.Redmond MP (1856-1918) spoke in the Athenaeum at the National League Convention in 1882 and again at the Tenants League Convention 1889.
Note: Audience reaction in parenthesis.
"In every phase of the National movement in the past Limerick had taken an historic part (hear, hear), and he believed that at no time during the past history of their country had an appeal ever been made to the men of Limerick in a holier cause than that in which they were appealing to them today".- J.E.Redmond MP at the Limerick Athenaeum 1882.
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"We the loyal citizens of Limerick, in public meeting assembled, do beg most humbly to express to your Majesty our unalterable attachment to your throne." |
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"To HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY, VICTORIA, by the grace of God, Empress of India, and of England, Ireland, Scotland and their Dependencies, Queen, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, We the loyal citizens of Limerick, in public meeting assembled, do beg most humbly to express to your Majesty our unalterable attachment to your throne and our deep devotion to your person, and to offer to your majesty a thrice hearty welcome to Ireland."The address was received with hearty cheering. Mr A W Shaw, J.P. said "there were many times in a man's life when he was perhaps proud of himself, but never again would he be so proud as on that occasion when he had the honour of proposing the adoption of that address to her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria." The next speaker was Dr O' Shaughnessy, D.L. who said that he came to Limerick as a medical man and that "one of her first acts proved at any rate that she knew he was a Papist, and still she gave him the only position of honour that she could give him in Limerick." The doctor concluded his speech by saying that he believed "her visit to this country would do more to promote Home Rule than anything else,.(cheers). The audience then rose to their feet and sang "God save the Queen." A week later a large number of residents from County Limerick held a meeting at the Athenaeum. The Chairman was Sir David Roche, Vice-Lieutenant for the County. Once again the Limerick Chronicle lists hundreds of the names of those who attended the address of welcome. Amongst them was the High Sheriff of Limerick. Mr Peter Fitzgerald read aloud the names of those residents who sent in their apologies for non-attendance (who were at the RDS Spring Show) and began a short address of welcome which was seconded by the High Sheriff. Two days later Sir David Roche, Bart wrote to the Limerick Chronicle with the names of others who apologised for not being present at the Athenaeum. It is evident from the numbers that attended both events at the Athenaeum that Queen Victoria had a very big following in Limerick city and county. The very first film ever advertised at the Athenaeum was for a vivograph exhibition by Dr Ormonde in October 1900 which proposed to show the visit of Queen Victoria to Dublin and scenes from the Boer War in "actual motion". The review of the show makes no mention of the vivograph other than to say that Dr Ormonde and his talented family specialised in "thought-reading, clairvoyance and hypnotism.
In April 26, 1900 the Limerick Chronicle reported that in the "Dublin Police Court to-day, Miss Maud Gonne's action against Mr Ramsey Colles, editor of the Irish Figaro, for alleged libel, imputing that she was a pensioner of the Government and therefore a Government spy, was adjourned until May 4th to prepare a defence."
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"Emigration is destroying Ireland, it is
carrying out England's work of extermination.
If we want to free Ireland it is not be
deserting her (loud cheers). We must stay at
home and fight for her (renewed cheering)...
but perhaps I am getting too political for
some of the committee of the Athenaeum" Maud Gonne at the Limerick Athenaeum 1900. |
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Maud Gonne McBride (1865-1953) has been described as the Irish Joan of Arc. She was an actress, political agitator and the inspiration of William Butler Yeats's greatest love poetry. She lectured at the Athenaeum in December 1900, an event which caused great controversy as Limerick Corporation's Technical Education Committee (TEC) who had by this time gained control of the Institution and were worried about her making a "political" speech. Initially Maud Gonne was refused permission to speak in "their" Hall. Alderman Michael Joyce MP called another meeting of the TEC to rescind that decision. The intervention of the Mayor, Mr John Daly saved the night when he pointed out the absurdity of the decision. He said " Miss Gonne was a lady that the other side would perhaps be anxious to give the Hall to if she came to them as a Unionist." . Mr Kenny, (Unionist) solicitor brought up the fact that political meetings were prohibited under the lease of the Athenaeum. The Mayor retaliated by saying that Miss Gonne was going to lecture on Ireland and that a lecture was a lecture which was within the rules of the Athenaeum. He also referred to the fact the Hall had been made available for the Unionist addresses of welcome to Queen Victoria earlier in the year. Mr Kenny wanted information about the contents of Miss Gonne's "lecture". The Mayor angrily retorted: "Your people have thrown down the gauntlet and we are here to meet you!." Mr Moloney, a supporter of the Mayor roared "We will be here in the future!...they are only a contemptible minority in town." Mr Kenny said "I don't know whether it is a meeting at all. It seems to me to be a meeting of the mob". There was an immediate call for withdrawal of both remarks. The Mayor accused Mr Kenny of being in the Athenaeum when "Mr Shaw, Mr Cleeve, and the rest of you made political speeches in support of your Queen". Mr Kenny countered "the Queen of this realm is above politics". The Mayor said: "She represents politics if she is above them. Your people that are below her represent politics". The Mayor went on to explain that "the Young Ireland Society were not politicians but a local social and literary society presided over by the Rev. Fr. Kavanagh". He supposed Mr Kenny would not say not say that Fr. Kavanagh was a politician. Mr Kenny sat down defeated. The Mayor then explained that Miss Gonne intended to speak on the subject of "Ireland and her Foreign Relations" and asked what could be political about that subject. Mr Whelan piped in again with the observation that the topic "ought to be connected with the Technical Schools". The Mayor went on to say that perhaps the Unionists might prefer if they had a lecture on "Scour amongst Calves" adding that Mr Kenny seemed to be "afraid that Miss Gonne's lecture might be offensive to his West Britonism but that they would have her lecture no matter". The newspaper reporter on the scene noted that the Mayor finishing his oration (warmly) saying "If we were to shut up the Hall and not leave your Duchess in to-morrow, you would think twice about your intolerance." At this point a Mr Stokes stood up to speak and immediately defused the tension by offering his condolences to the Mayor on his recent bereavement. The motion to allow Miss Gonne permission to speak was passed.
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The Mayor angrily retorted: "Your people have thrown down the gauntlet and we are here to meet you!." |
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Michael Joyce MP (1851-1941) went to sea at 14 years and served on the last of the sailing ships. He became a Shannon river pilot in 1878. A founder member and Treasurer of Garryowen Rugby Club which was established at a meeting at the Athenaeum in 1884 where months later he attended the Michael Davitt political meeting. In 1899, he was elected M.P for Limerick and became a popular figure at Westminister where he was affectionately known as " the Pilot of the House". He was elected Mayor of Limerick in 1905 and 1906.
Michael O'Callaghan (1879-1921) was born into a Limerick business and political family. His grandfather, Eugene O' Callaghan was Mayor of Limerick in 1843. After completing a four year course at the Leather-Sellers College, London, he returned to manage the family City Tannery business. In 1906, he lectured on the subject at the Athenaeum and was an active member of the Irish Industries Movement who held annual exhibitions in that Hall. He became a founder member of Sinn Fein (Ourselves) in 1905 and was elected to the Corporation in 1911. He spoke at a meeting of the Irish Volunteers movement at the Athenaeum with Pearse and Casement in 1914. He campaigned for Sinn Fein in 1917 and organised resistance to conscription. He was elected Mayor of Limerick in 1920. On the night of 6th March 1921 Michael O'Callaghan and his successor as Mayor, Saoirse Clancy were murdered by Black & Tans. A memorial to both men, designed by City architect, Plunkett O'Callaghan, was opened by President de Velera in 1971.
"I am a Nationalist"
"...Drilling and Arming."
Sir Roger Casement hanged for High Treason Pentonville Jail 1916.
Patrick Pearse executed by firing squad Kilmainham Jail 1916.
Michael O'Callaghan shot in his home by Black and Tans 1921
from Leinster House, Dublin following Irish Independence
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