News: Evictions from Fethard, Nov 6, 1886 *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Wexford Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: Mary Heaphy EVICTIONS FROM FETHARD, NOV 6, 1886 A demonstration of a character quite unusual in the annals of the struggle with landlordism in Ireland was witnessed today in New Ross. Co. Wexford. Forty nine persons, and in the number was included an old man of eighty, several women, and some children in arms, who had been evicted from the Marquis of Ely's property at Fethard, Co. Wexford, started on what must have been a most painful pilgrimage to the New Ross Workhouse, and were accompanied on the road and received in New Ross by thousands of sympathisers. The evictions took place some days ago and were a tough business, only effected utter scenes of intense excitement. Several of the houses operated upon were barred and barricaded. A Protestant tenant, William COOK, had displayed so much engineering ability in his arrangements to "hold the fort" that the attacking party gave up their attempts on his front door as hopeless, and forced a way through the windows. When the bailiffs broke into the house of John WARREN, a shoemaker, they were assailed by a swarm of bees, and had to retreat with alacrity. It was afterwards discovered that the walls of the house were smeared with honey, and it was only with considerable trouble that the landlord's representatives dislodged the tenants at the close of the day. It was decided on the advice of the local executive, and with the concurrence of the evicted themselves, that they should proceed a step further in their protest by taking up their residence in the New Ross Workhouse, where the expenses of their maintenance will largely fall upon the Marquis of Ely, as he owns the principal part of the electoral division. The start from Fethard was made at ten in the morning, the local Priests superintending the arrangements. There was sorrowful leave taking, and then amid shouts of encouragement, the road to New Ross-sixteen English miles-was faced. The evicted people were conveyed in two brakes and a long car, and were accompanied by hundreds of neighbours, the crowds being swelled by accessions of horse men and footmen at every cross road until the whole south west country seemed to be marching on New Ross. At New Ross every business house had its shutters closed, but it was not until 4 O'Clock in the afternoon that the head of the long procession, amid thundering cheers, entered the town. First, preceded by an American and Irish flag, came a New Ross band, then St. Aidan's band. Then followed about 400 young men on horseback. The sad feature of the procession came next-the cars containing the evicted people. They were cheered again and again. Flags, banners, bands, and processions followed, and many New Ross guardians were among the large number of persons who followed in private cars. At Irish town a public meeting was held, at which Canon DOYLE and others addressed the people, pointing out the moral of today's work, and counselled strictly constitutional action, which much lead to success. The brief portion of the journey that remained was then performed to the gates of the workhouse, where the scene that took place when fathers, mothers, and children were admitted, classified, and separated, according to the regulations of the Poor Law code, produced an outburst of grief. The New Ross correspondent says--- At four O'Clock an immense procession entered the town of New Ross from Fethard, Co. Wexford. First came the New Ross Brass band, then three waggonottes containing 62 persons, the wives and children of 13 small farmers evicted last week from the Marquis of Ely's estate. The baguettes were followed by horsemen, four deep, a number of Priests in cars, headed by Father Tom DOYLE, the friend of Sir Charles Gavin DUFFY, the procession being closed by a string of cars in single file, said to be several miles long. The procession was interspersed with some five or six bands, the bandsmen carrying green flags on gilded pikes. The object of this extraordinary gathering was to escort the evicted families to the New Ross Workhouse, where a "ward of honour" has been set apart for their use. Notices had been previously posted about the town calling on the people to assemble in their thousands "to witness the last resource of Landlord oppression, and to comfort the poor evicted on their way to the workhouse". In compliance with this suggestion all the shops were shut and the town decorated. A platform was erected from which Nationalist orators harangued the people. An extra force of people were drafted into the town, and about 1 O'clock a battery of artillery from Duncannon Fort, en route to Clonmel, arrived and were assigned quarters for the night in view of possible disturbances, of which, however, up to a late hour, there was no indication. Source: 6-11-1886 Freemans Journal.