Athenry News & Views Spring 2026

Spring 2026

since the 30th day of September, 1880, been guilty of “inciting others wrongfully and without legal authority to intimidate diverse persons with a view to compel them to abstain from doing a certain act which they had a legal right to do, namely, to buy from and sell to and deal with certain persons...” It was 5.10 p.m. that day when the inspector of Athenry, Mr. Bell, accompanied by a detective officer and two constables of the R.I. Constabulary, arrested Peter Broderick at his own door: “I presume you are Mr. Broderick. I have a warrant for your arrest.” He was given 45 minutes to prepare. Police were left in charge as he ate his dinner. (Broderick’s reports in his diary). What about the rest of Athenry? How did they react to the arrest? These are the words of Peter Broderick. “Literally, the town gathered to the house, and needless to say the dinner was abandoned. Durong the short time I had to stay I made the best arrangements I could for the future - my traps were all packed up and everything ready by the specified time. “Then a scene of handshaking, kissing, crying and all the other etceteras of leave-taking almost unmanned me. Now in my lonely cell (he later recalled while in jail) when I look back on the scene, a feeling of gratitude must fill my breast for the deep marks of love and sympathy that night extended to me. “As the time approached for my departure, immense crowds were assembled and immense forces too. The Constabulary, in large numbers and fully armed, were there—right, left and centre, they were there. Whether the motive was to inspire me with awe or the people, I am not in a position to say but I know if the movement was directed towards me it was a signal failure.

which had been set up on St. Brigid’s Day. 1880. The means to be employed by the Branch were to be “strictly legal, honest and in accordance with the principles of justice, equity and morality”. The weekly meetings were on Sundays, at 1 o’clock. Monthly meetings for the heads of circles were at 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month. The Athenry Branch of the Land League consisted of the following offices: President, The Very Rev. P. J, Canon O’Brien P.P. Athenry: Vice- President, The Rev. P. J. MacPhilbin C.C. Athenry; Secretary, Peter Broderick Esq.. Athenry; Treasurer, Patrick Mahon Esq., Athenry. Members of Branch Council: Thomas R. Kelly, Athenry:James Cloonan, Athenry, Patrick: C. Kelly, Athenry, John Lynskey, Athenry. Heads of Circles: John Melia Montpelier, John Shaughnessy Cussaun; Philip Fahy Carnmore; Thomas Coyne Park; B. Scanlon Newcastle; Pat Ruane, Cudoo; Pat Kelly. Castlelambert; Andrew Keary, Clorane; M. Fahy, Moyvilla; T. Callanan, Blain; Luke Regan, Lodge; P. Callanan, Kingsland: John Malloy, Ballygurrane; John Kennedy, Lecarrue: John Kindregan, Cahertubber; Francis Burke, Cloonkeen; Thomas Hanily. Woodvillage; Pat Keamey, Turloughmore; Martin Kearney, Turloughmore; John Morris, Turloughmore; John Joyce, Greyforth; Pat Shaughnessy, Mira; Denis Forde, Lisheenavalle; Francis Hanly, Grange; M. Moran, Turloughmore; Owen Connell, Claregalway; Walter J. Hughes, Claregaiway; Thomas Casserly, Claregalway: Michael Murphy. Claregalway; Stephen Luane, Cahermore; Patrick Waishe, Lidecan; James Multy, Lidecan. On Wednesday, November 9, 1881, at Athenry, Peter Broderick was arrested as a suspect. The warrant said he was ‘reasonably suspected’ of having,

Nun’s Island Galway in 1900s

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