Mitchelstown Eviction Resistance at O'Sullivans!
Love this? Please support us and...
More from this collection
Related by Where
Research Help!
Where: Cork, Ireland
Try to find the spot where the photographer was standing.
When: 01 June 1887
Try to find the date or year when this image was made.
Feeling some performance anxiety because this photo is very special - it's our 1,000th photo on Flickr Commons! However, it's also special in that it's a quite rare (we think) capture of an eviction in a town. Most that we have are in rural settings. We thought this may have been taken in September 1887 around the time of the "Mitchelstown Massacre", but as always, research here was a great help in establishing a more likely date of June 1887...
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.
Date: Circa June 1887
NLI Ref.: L_ROY_01083
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 49628
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.
Date: Circa June 1887
NLI Ref.: L_ROY_01083
Info:
Owner: National Library of Ireland on The CommonsSource: Flickr Commons
Views: 49628
mitchelstown
cork
ireland
munster
donkey
cart
barrell
boy
dog
police
barracks
ric
royalirishconstabulary
carcases
butcher
apron
smoking
pipes
delarue
grocer
tobacco
snuff
fabric
material
birds
planofcampaign
nosurrender
osullivan
pollard
bran
oats
grafitti
shutters
robertfrench
williamlawrence
lawrencecollection
glassnegative
1880s
uppercorkstreet
thomasdelarue
mauriceosullivan
kingstonestate
1887
june
williamdavis
countessofkingston
nationallibraryofireland
evictions
Add Tags
Add Tags
Vab2009
A great wee bit of history in this. Do you know whether they were successful in their attempt to get lower rents - or does the title of this mean they were evicted?
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vab2009 No other information yet, but would love to find out more information about the Plan of Campaign in the Mitchelstown area, the landlord(s) involved, and would die happy if anyone knows about the O'Sullivans in particular...
Swordscookie
And two doors down is the local cop shop! There is a very good article on Wikipedia on the plan of campaign and it appears that the Tipperary and North Cork areas were deeply involved. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_of_Campaign The Plan of Campaign was a stratagem adopted in Ireland between 1886 and 1891, co-ordinated by Irish politicians for the benefit of tenant farmers, against mainly absentee and rack-rent landlords. It was launched to counter agricultural distress caused by the continual depression in prices of dairy products and cattle from the mid 1870s, which left many tenants in arrears with rent. Bad weather in 1885 and 1886 also caused crop failure, making it harder to pay rents. The Land War of the early 1880s was about to be renewed after evictions increased and outrages became widespread.
Swordscookie
Welcome back Carol, hope that you had a very good time and are now fully recovered and raring to go??? Congrats on reaching the 1000th
Wendy:
Yes indeed congrats on reaching the 1000th-now to the next thousand items of interest from the past!
Vab2009
Yes - congratulations on reaching 1000!
heady school
Lots of Delarues (De La Rue?) living in Cork in the 1901 census, and mostly in Mitchelstown. There's even a father and son both called Pierre.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/swordscookie] Hi Sean, good to be back (though there is one final mini-jaunt coming up and then I'm back in shackles for another year in the dungeons of Library Towers). Thanks for the succinct explanation of the Plan of Campaign, and you might find this 1890 article on New Tipperary of interest... Also, are they reinforced shutters (2nd window from the left on second floor) on the police barracks?
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizinitaly http://www.flickr.com/photos/vab2009 Thanks, you two! As you say, here's to the next 1,000... :)
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyelightfilms Wonder if this was taken on Upper Cork Street? That's where the greater no. of Delarues were in 1901.
Carmen Cordero Olivares.
Buen trabajo.
Niall McAuley
There is a Constabulary barracks on Upper Cork Street in the OS 25" map, but it is detached, meaning that the neighbouring buildings were torn down before 1897. Those buildings also aren't there in 1841. The chimneys on the building at that spot look familiar, although it is larger now: Google Streetview link.
Slimdandy
There appears to be a tree growing out of the windows of the building on the right?? Logic says NO. Anyone?
Niall McAuley
I think the occupants have closed the sutters downstairs, but with no shutters upstairs, they have blocked the windows with bits of bushes (probably thorny ones). Compare:
Swordscookie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/ Hi Carol, yes they are steel shutters with loopholes for firing on attackers.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/slimdandy] Yes, just as [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley] says. Such improvised barricades appear in lots of evictions. These window blocks are the most impenetrable, I think...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Well, although you don't sound 100% happy with the location, think we'll go with it for now... Thanks as always.
ofarrl
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley/]In 1887 at the time of the Mitchelstown riot the police barracks was closer to New Market Square and on the other side of the street from the constabulary barracks shown on the Ordnance survey map. In the photo above the street slopes in the opposite direction than in the Google Streetview. I think this is the building in the photo above, it has been divided into two, with shop fronts added on the ground floor, however the chimney on the left appears to have survived pretty much as it was in the late 1800's. Interestingly the building that now stands where O'sullivans was is called Campaign House. Mitchelstown Riot Pdf
ofarrl
Found this on the Mitchelstown website "CORK STREET (Upper and Lower) - This is the main street of the town, reputedly built over a stream that was diverted into a large culvert underneath the road. The Garda Station (opened 1982), has an interesting sculpture of Saint Fanahan, the local patron. This was sculpted by Cliodna Cussen. Further down the street and on the opposite side is Campaign House, which was the headquarters of the Land League during the Land War on the Kingston estate in the 1880s. Three doors further along the street was the old barracks of the Royal Irish Constabulary (now Dorans and McCarthys Insurance). A memorial on the opposite side of the street, at Mr Mister, commemorates John Casey, John Shinnick and Michael Lonergan who were shot by police during a Land League meeting on 9 September 1887." www.mitchelstown.eu/level1.php?type=sub&id=55
DannyM8
Great pick for your 1,000 photograph. Mile buíochas a thabhairt duit agus go léir ag Sráid Chill Dara.
Scadán Dearg
I am wondering whether the carcasses at Delarues are Pig or Sheep? I plum for pig. Either way they did not seem of much interest to the dog.
mogey
Happy 1000! Just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons ,I think this house looks more like the old RIC barracks (4 windows on the top floor, 4on the first floor and what could be 2 windows and a door on the ground floor) the chimney is similar. Also the doorway is square topped (no arch) maps.google.com/maps?q=47+Upper+Cork+Street,+Mitchelstown... What do you think?
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79549245@N06 Thanks Danny, and did you spot the "ghost" dog in this one?
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogey] Love those cats always, Moira! Happier with those windows alright. At some stage the building would have to have been split into two houses with two doorways though. I'm still leaning more towards [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley]'s building because the one door is still off-kilter in it. What do the rest of you think?
mogey
just another little point ,there is slight slope downwards from right to left, in Nialls streetview it's left to right. Sorry to be nerdy.
Swordscookie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogey http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley I am not as good with the maps and such stuff as Moira and Niall but I come down with Moira on this. The building in Nialls streetview is much bigger and quite different in layout plus the angle of the fall from left to right is much more severe than is evident in the original shot.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogey Never apologise for any nerdy tendencies! :)
Swordscookie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogey That's not nerdy, that's arguing a point, completely different thing. I argue all the time, its great sport, not as colourful as photography but great sport!
Niall McAuley
I'm changing my vote to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/33577523@N08]'s building. If you look at the top left of the RIC building in the Lawrence photo, you can see the ends of two iron tie rods above and below the upper storey. These are still visible in Streetview
Niall McAuley
A pic of the Land War memorial opposite:
The photographer says he couldn't find the limestone crosses mentioned in the memorial, perhaps because he did not look down
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33577523@N08 I vote for yours. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland 1,000 grand photos. Thank you!
John Spooner
Freeman's Feb 23rd, 1887
John Spooner
And on 3rd Jun 1887:
John Spooner
And on 4rd Jun 1887. The 'previous case' refered to is Davis v Delarue
mogey
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33577523@N08 I think your street view wins the day, the two iron tie rods definitely mark that building out as the one in the photo! Amazing what can be seen in these old photos,such good quality.
DannyM8
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland Carol, I did see the Dog, I made no comment as I knew you would not dare post your 1,000 photo without one!... 1000 cani e va ancora forte
guliolopez
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner] Well done on finding the info on the evictions! Maith an fear. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/33577523@N08] I think indeed that you have it on the location. Just read this on the Mitchelstown website about Cork Street: ... Campaign House, which was the headquarters of the Land League during the Land War on the Kingston estate in the 1880s. Three doors further along the street was the old barracks of the Royal Irish Constabulary (now Dorans and McCarthys Insurance) ... I think that pretty much covers/confirms it all. (Carol I think you'll have to move the coords/pin a few hundred yards up Cork Street to the north side of James Street. :) )
ofarrl
I probably should have given this official R.I.C. report on the shootings of 3 men at Mitchelstown greater prominence in my earlier comments. It clearly illustrates the exact location of the constabulary barracks in 1887, its very unlikely there was more than one barracks given the small size of the town. (Link updated)
oaktree_brian_1976
Why are there trees growing out of the windows? Building is abandoned?
ofarrl
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66151649@N02/ that was explained in some earlier comments, they were placed there as a barrier to prevent entry by bailiffs/police etc.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Thanks to everyone for the negotiating, querying, polite arguing about location - think we're pretty spot on now...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Thanks very much to http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner for details on the specifics of the eviction. It has given us fantastic tags as well. And given that the judgement against Maurice O'Sullivan/Sullivan was on 4 June 1887, do we all agree that we're safe enough-ish to go with a June 1887 date for this one? That's assuming that the Kingston Estate mobilised to evict fairly quickly after the court case... (And then we can add a coveted Date Established tag)
BultacoFan
Hope it's not too late to comment on your 1000th picture. It looked familiar to me and I figured that the only place I might have seen it before was in, once again, John Finerty's Ireland in Pictures. it appears to be the same picture, although the quality in yours is much better. www.quinnipiac.edu/other/abl/etext/irish/pictures203/p171...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77848526@N06 Definitely the same picture, though ours is better quality as you say. And lovely of you to comment on our 1000th photo, as we haven't heard from you in a while... :)
chantellebirtwistle
My dad may be able to help as it was his dad's house.
annemgriff
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland Re your photo NLI Ref.: L_ROY_01083 titled "Mitchelstown Eviction". I have been looking at this for some time and getting more and more annoyed. I did send a communication about it a while ago through this page but no reaction. This is NOT anything to do with an eviction. Two of the people in the photo are my grand-uncle Jim Delarue (in butcher's apron) and the lady is his sister Liz. On marriage, Jim emigrated to USA in 1898 and that shop was taken over by his brother Patrick and held by him until he too emigrated in the early 1900s. It was then sold to another family. The Thomas Delarue mentioned in the extracts above by John Spooner was my Great-Grandfather. He lived further up on the opposite side of the street (south) where he had a general grocery and hardware shop. He wasn't evicted either and the business passed to his daughter Mary Delarue who died in 1944 and bequeathed it to her niece Margaret Delarue-O'Neill. She sold it in 1945/46 to the Dunne family who still own it, It is now Mitchelstown's Post Office. I do not know how people got the idea of an eviction from this photo; is it the presence of the donkey and cart?! On careful reading of the extract from John Spooner you will see that Mr, Davis had a change of heart and did not appear at court, much to the surprise of the Kingston reps; possession of the properties was also returned to the evicted tenant of that particular property. I hope to see the misleading title of Mitchelstown Eviction removed from this photograph. It is one that has been in my family's possession for generations and it amazes me what interpretations complete strangers can place on it! Thank you.. Anne Griffin
guliolopez
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/130330720@N08] Hi Anne. Great to see someone with an association engaged in the discussion. In your note you question:"I do not know how people got the idea of an eviction from this photo; is it the presence of the donkey and cart?!" People got this idea because there is a big "anti-eviction" banner, not on the Delarue shop, but on the premises next door. The building to the right (O'Sullivan's/Campaign House) has specifically and visibly been barricaded to resist and protest suspect practices in the area by rack-renting and absentee landlords. A banner says "Plan of Campaign - No Surrender", and refers to the anti-eviction campaign undertaken by a number of people in the area (and indeed nationally) to resist these practices. This is where the title comes from. Not any negative supposition to be drawn-from or related-to other elements in the image. I guess I can understand that, if such a photo had always been present in a household, and always labelled as "the family shop", if I then saw it under a different title, I might think that title referred to the subject element that was most important to me. But that's not really the case. When French or Lawrence titled this photo in the late 19th century, they labelled it as "Mitchelstown Barracks". That didn't relate to your family shop either - but to the building on the left. When the NLI added a different title in the 21st century, it was labelled as "Eviction". That didn't relate to your family shop either - but to the building, barricades and banner to the far right. As regards any discussion on the topic, I don't think the community here (and certainly not myself) inferred any "slight" on anyone who might happen to be pictured next-door, or mentioned in the relevant newspaper reports. (Far from it - any resistance to the type of practices described would seem to be laudable and something to be proud of). In any event, I think it's always been pretty clear that the title related to the big "anti-eviction" banner that is fairly prominent in the image. However, perhaps Mary (or another NLI rep) will take your concerns on board. And possibly consider a title (or description) to make it a little clear(er) that the "anti-eviction" sentiment relates to the banners and barricades that are pictured in the Sullivan premises. All the best.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Hi Anne, I have amended the title to remove any doubt as to where the eviction was proposed and any inference that might have been perceived to exist that the neighbouring family were part of the process.
annemgriff
Thanks Guliolopez and NLI for your replies. I wasn't seeing the photo as a "slight" on any family members; they were well involved in said Plan of Campaign! I was under the (false) impression that it was assumed the family at shop door were being evicted and wanted to correct info for historical accuracy. I see that you have done that very clearly and thank you for same. It's great to see these old photos preserved and an interest taken in them. Best wishes, Anne
fabianmurphy
The poster says " Plan of campaign, Evictors come on " from a reliable descendant of Maurice OSullivan .
Bill Power Photography
See my book about the Kingston estate, 'White Knights Dark Earls, the Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Irish Dynasty,' which to date is the most comprehensive published account of the estate.
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
More confirmation of the location from other photos in the NLI catalogue which must have been taken at the same time - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000325583 - wider view catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000041403 - from the square showing a floral tribute (?), also seen in these - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000325581 & catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000325580 All the photos have a strange haunted look to them - maybe due to the ghosts flitting about?
suckindeesel
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] Yes, may well be haunted, as other photos you list show aftermath of the Mitchelstown massacre. This would date them post Sept 1887. The fatal shots were fired from the upper left hand window of barracks. Interestingly, the official RIC report to parliament www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/documents/18148/page/480053 includes a plan view of the barracks window relative to where the men fell. The report asserts that it would have been impossible to have a direct view, from the window, of the square where the third man fell. The implication being that he was accidentally killed by a ricochet. However, a comparison between the 25-in and the plan shows the barracks much nearer the square, possibly allowing a direct shot.