Tipperary History: When 12,000 people stood in Cahir to take the Land League oath

Cahir Social and Historical Society 

The Society held its third lecture of 2023 in Cahir House Hotel on last Thursday, February 23. With a full house the Society welcomed Committee member Josephine O’Neill who gave a talk on the subject of the ‘Cahir Land League from 1879 -1881’ including information on Joseph Fenton. 

Joseph Fenton was on the Cahir Land League committee and in 1880 he stood on the Square in Cahir in front of 12,000 people and asked those gathered to raise their hands and take the Land League oath.

The Oath stated” We solemnly pledge ourselves not to bid, take hold or occupy a house or land from which a tenant has been evicted for non payment of an unjust rent. Never to work on such land and never to purchase cattle or crops sold under these conditions”.

Joseph was arrested the following year and served time in prison for Land League activities. 12,000 people came for the launch of the Cahir Land League and Joseph was one of the first of 10 farmers arrested for “unlawful assembly "at demonstrations and evictions. One thousand Land League farmers with 200 horses marched out the Clogheen road to help Catherine Fenton run the farm when Joseph was in prison. 

Descendents of Joseph Fenton attended the talk last Thursday night. There was wonderful interaction from the audience after Josephine delivered her presentation that included lots of local historical nuggets which were of huge interest to all who came.

Thanks to special guests Joseph Fenton and Michael Peters who both added to the presentation.

An old photo of The Square in Cahir with the Oath taken by the Land League printed on it was distributed to all attendees on the night.

Once again Cahir Social & Historical Society provided a very informative and interesting local history talk that all enjoyed immensely on the evening.