Athenry Branch of the Land League

Source: The Nation – Saturday 29 May 1880

Established on 1st February, 1880, to advance the interests of the tenant farmers, to assist in making them the possessors of happy homes, to defend them from all acts of harshness and tyranny to which landlords may subject them, and to defend them in all cases where they may be unjustly exposed to legal proceedings, under which poor tenants generally succumb, and to expose the dark deeds and plottings of a class who work underhand to the injury of the industrious tenant farmer.

The object of the Land League is most laudible and praiseworthy. The means to be employed will be strictly legal, honest, in accord with the principles of justice, equity, and morality.

Each of the members is expected to carry out the objects of the League, and to see also that others do so. They are expected to report faithfully and accurately to the council of the League all acts that are deviations from the objects of the League.

Members are enrolled by the payment of the small sum of one shilling.

Meetings of the council are held every Sunday at one o’clock. Monthly meetings, at which the heads of circles are present, at two o’clock on the first Sunday of the month, All communications with the council come through the heads of circles.

The council for the present year consists of the
following :-

President-The Very Rev P J Canon O’Brien, P P, Athenry. Vice-president-The Rev P J Mac Philpin, C C, Athenry. Secretary-Peter Broderick Esq. Athenry. Treasurer-Patrick Mahon, Esq, Athenry

Members of the council-Thomas R Kelly, Athenry.  James Cloonan, do; Patrick C Kelly,
do; John Lynskey, do.

Heads of circles-John Melia, Montpelier, Athenry ; John Shaughnesssy, Cussaun, do ; Philip Fahey, Carnane, do ; Thomas Coyne, Park, do; B Scanlon, New Castle, do ; Pat Ruane, Cuddoo, do; Pat Kelly, Castle Lambert, do ; Andrew Keary, Clorane, do; M Fahy, Moyvula, do ; T. Clancy, Blain, do; Luke Regan, Lodge, do ; P. Callanan, Kingsland, do; John Mulloy, Ballygaurraun, do; John Kennedy, Lecarue, do; John Kindregan, Caheratubber, do ; Francis Burke, Cloonkeen, do; Thomas Hanify, Woodvillage, do; Pat Kearney, Turloughmore ; Martin Kearney, do ; John Morris, do; John Joyce, Greyforth, do; Pat Shaughnessy, Mira, do ; Denis Forde, Lisheenayalla, do ; Francis Hanly, Grange, do,; M Moran, Turloughmore; Owen Connell, Claregalway; Walter J. Hughes, do ; Thomas Casserly, do ; Michael Murphy, do; Stephen Luane, Cahermore, do; Patrick Walshe, Lidecan, do ; James Nulty, do.