Mayo history: O’Kelly greeted by 600 lighted torches at Claremorris Station
PART THREE
By Tom Gillespie
IN February 1902, Claremorris born Conor O’Kelly, the first chairman of Mayo County Council, was released from Castlebar Jail after serving a two-month sentence.
The Connaught Telegraph gave comprehensive coverage to the event in their edition of February 22 of that year.
After his release a mass meeting was held in Castlebar Courthouse at which Mr. O’Kelly, a Claremorris native, continued with this address:
The truth has commenced to dawn on me that these unfortunate fellows over there in Castlebar Jail are not, after all, the worst criminals in the world (hear, here).
If Mr. Wyndham really be that zealous guardian of public morality that he poses as, if he be that champion and defender of law and order, I ask you all here today in common sense and in common justice why does he imprison me and the likes of me while he builds a golden bridge for Sergeant the Sheridan’s (groans. A voice - They are nearly all Sheridan’s).
Might I ask why is it that he builds a golden bridge for men like him to make good their escape from justice.
If Mr. Wyndham wants us to believe that he holds the scales of justice evenly between us why does he not put the extradition laws into force and bring back from Boston the convicted mutilator of dumb animals and place him upon his trial - even by a packed jury of his countrymen (loud applause).
Fellow Nationalists I have to say this, I don’t intend to speak at very great length today because of the other meeting I have to address later on, but I say this here to you, no prosecution by Mr. Wyndham, no prosecution he may institute in Coercion Courts, in illegal courts which he may put into operation, will have the least effect upon the character of the language which we intend to use in future.
Our answer to him today is this, that in spite of the Punch and Judy Justice, as I call them, we respond with clockwork punctuality to the gentlemen who pull the strings in Dublin Castle, and in spite of the so-called higher courts which seem equally susceptible to similar influences, we are going to get in the future precisely as we have in the past.
Irish politics may not open the door to fortune, but they are not without their honourable rewards as this day has proved conclusively to me.
The addresses I have received today I prize and appreciate (cries of you are worthy), and I am not speaking in the customary or hackneyed sense when I say truthfully and sincerely that I cannot find words to express my gratitude for them.
They testify to me at least the good will of the people, which is the one reward which I will ever seek in Irish politics.
I can conceive no higher object, no nobler duty for an Irishman to set himself in life than to throw himself on the side of the people, to struggle for, and preserve their liberties, to resist at all times the assault of oppression and to look for hidden humble reward in the hope that he may leave Ireland something better than he found it (loud and prolonged applause).
ENTHUSIASM ALONG ROUTE
Mr. O’Kelly left for Claremorris by the 6.30 train, and representative and enthusiastic as the reception was in Castlebar, it was thrown in the shade by that in Claremorris.
At various points en route from Castlebar crowds were gathered and bonfires blazed along the railway line.
At Balla station about 500 people were assembled, and when Mr. O’Kelly made his appearance at the carriage door the cheering for several minutes was deafening.
Mr. O’Kelly, in a few brief remarks, detailed his experiences and opinions of prisons and government, and what his future line of conduct would be.
His remarks were received with applause, and the train steamed out of the station amidst a scene of enthusiasm never witnessed since the day of Pat Nally.
The old eventful days of the Land League afford no parallel for the brilliant spectacle which Mr. O’Kelly’s native town presented when the member for North Mayo arrived, accompanied by a large contingent from all parts of Mayo.
The explosion of fog signals about a mile from Claremorris Station was the first indication Mr. O’Kelly and his friends had of what was before them.
The railway line was studded with these signals, and there was one long series of explosions until Claremorris station was reached.
Here the crowds were dense.
The long station road that leads to the town was packed with great masses of people, six hundred of whom carried lighted torches, which made the scene most brilliant and impressive.
On the arrival of Mr. O’Kelly that gentleman was accorded a great ovation and was carried shoulder high from the carriage.
When he made his appearance on the station road deafening cheers were raised, which were joined in by the long procession of people that reached to the railway bridge in the centre of the town.
The Mayo Abbey and Claremorris Bands were at the head of the torch-bearers discoursing National airs as the procession moved on to the town.
The town itself was brilliant with illuminated windows and bonfires.
Having paraded the principal streets, the long procession wound up in front of the Reading Room, where a platform was erected.
On Mr. O’Kelly’s appearance on the platform there were deafening cheers raised.
The meeting around the platform may be truthfully described as vast in proportion and almost uncontrollable in enthusiasm.
On the platform or in the immediate vicinity were nearly all the members of Mayo County Council, also representatives from the eight Rural District Councils of Mayo. The branches of the League sent deputations from the four Parliamentary divisions.
On the motion of Mr. John Tucker, seconded by Mr. Patrick Hill, RDC, the chair was taken by Mr. P.W. Judge, RDC, Claremorris.
The chairman, in a few sentences, introduced their worthy fellow-townsman Conor O’Kelly (cheers) on his release from Castlebar Jail.
Next week: Mr. O’Kelly addressed mass meeting in Claremorris.
Link back to parts 1 and 2 here. Also available in our print edition.