dúidín

Judge Keogh died in October 1878. His obituary in Freeman's Journal began: Death in its most appalling shape has laid its hand upon one of the most singularly-gifted, fitfully-fated, and worst-detested Irishmen of his generation. and continued: ... sank and died yesterday morning far from the land which was in turn dazzled and horrified by the flashes of his lawless genius, in which he has been alternately blest and curst - in which, having postured his hour as the popular darling, he has lived to trample upon the people upon whose shoulders he climbed to power, and to repay their loathing with liberal interest. and continues for another 5 columns. Obviously not a popular man.

A search in Freeman's Journal for 'Judge Keogh effigy' gives 17 hits, all but one between June and August 1872. The burnings were in protest at his 'Galway judgement', when he disqualified a Captain Nolan from taking his seat in parliament. A quick scan shows effigy burnings in Cashel, Galway, Gort, Tuam, Dublin, Waterford, Tralee, Ballaghaderreen, Enniskillen, Ennis and Cavan in June (and I doubt that every burning was reported). The other hits concerned the subsequent court cases for affray and assault etc. In Derry the effigy was 'consigned to the waves'. Castlebar seems to have been rather more restrained as far as I can see - 'An immense crowd, preceded by a band ... After many a curse on Judge Keogh and after singing 'God save Ireland', the large crowd quietly dispersed' Later reports show the town raising money for Captain Nolan, and petitioning the House of Commons for the removal of Judge Keogh. One of the accounts mentions cries of 'So help me' during the burning, a phrase which appears on the effigy in the photo.

Excellent!

John Spooner Thank you, John, Judge Keogh really was not popular! May I just check with you, when was the Castlebar procession, as this is the most likely location and date for this photo?

National Library of Ireland on The Commons It was reported in the Saturday, June 1st 1872 edition, one of a number of 'extracts from correspondence and telegrams' received by the Freeman appearing under the heading 'Indignation in the Provinces'. The one from Castlebar is headed 'Castlebar, Thursday', which would be May 30th 1872. Whether the correspondent reported the march the following morning or straight away isn't clear. The judgment was made on Monday, the first effigy burning was in Galway on Tuesday evening (during which the police charged the crowd with drawn swords), and then effigy burning seemed to spread through Ireland over the following days, and become a national passtime.

Great picture! -- Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

He walks barefoot - no worries about broken glass back then!

Stuart Just realised it's second "sandy" photo in 3 days! Subconcious shouting that it's time for some holliers? :)

National Library of Ireland on The Commons A pleasant walk along Dollymount Strand will do just nicely, thank you.

Stuart Although not while carrying a Currach!

looks like an earthquake turned everything upside down!

I don't know why but this stirs all kinds of unclear memories for me, the confusion, the boxes and the galvanised bucket. the dudeen's not so much but the rest reminds me of old graveyards in the countryside.

A strange sight.

It looks vandalised, but by nature more than people?

Maybe this might shed some light on the presence of clay pipes. www.funeralwise.com/customs/irishwake

Very stern looking women.

Veramente bella ...non mi meraviglio più del vostro album eccezzionale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Probably a hard life, but perhaps this was their "oh God, being photographed" face! Think the middle woman might be the mother of the barefoot woman on the left...

anna musu Grazie! :)

I wish for that lady to have some shoes...