Dr Tully's House by National Library of Ireland on The Commons 1888, my grandad Sankey was 12 yrs old Via Flickr: An eviction on the land of the Marquis of Clanricarde at Woodford, Co.Galway. Farmer and boatbuilder, Francis Tully, known locally as “Dr Tully”, was an activist for the Plan of Campaign in Galway. The Plan of Campaign was an attempt to gain lower rents through collective bargaining, because prices for agricultural exports had fallen dramatically in the 1880s. Maud Gonne agitated for change by projecting images like this one onto a building in Parnell Square, Dublin. Read through the comments below for fantastic background to this photo... Date: Saturday, 1 September 1888 NLI Ref.: L_ROY_02482
The eviction campaign of Lord Clanricarde’s Woodford estate was brought to a close on Saturday, after an exciting struggle. The force, under the command of Mr Byrne, Divisional Magistrate, left Clondegoff Castle early in the morning, and arrived at the house of Dr Tully, who was prominent in the action brought by Mr Wilfred Blunt against Divisional Magistrate Byrne, and whom it was now sought to evict. The military and the police formed a circle round the house, which was protected by earthworks and held by a number of men who were reported to be determined to offer the most determined resistance. The emergency men were first first ordered to remove the earthworks, but they were afterwards withdrawn, and it was resolved to enter the house by the roof. Large scaling ladders were used, and the defenders then made holes in the roof for the purpose of repelling the attack, but in doing so they played completely into the hands of the attacking party, for immediately District Inspector Murphy and several constables made a rush up the ladders and forced their way through the roof. The men inside endeavoured to throw down the ladders with long hayforks, but without avail. A large opening was made in the roof , and through it Inspector Murphy conveyed fourteen prisoners – twelve men and two girls. The last prisoner brought out was Dr. Tully himself. He was brought out in a prostrate condition, handcuffed, and exclaimed that he had been struck with the end of a policeman’s rifle. Owing to his condition, Father Coey, parish priest, was sent for, and to him Dr. Tully stated that had it not been for the interference of Inspector Murphy the police would have killed him. The next house visited was of a man name Toohey. The premises were barricaded, but soon gave way before the crowbars of the emergency men. The defenders threw boiling water upon the attacking party, and the police arrested five men who were found in the house. The evictions having been completed, the police and military withdrew. Several men who were in Dr. Tully’s house are stated to have received bayonet wounds, principally in the face