ATHENRY CONVENTION:
ELOQUENCE INTERRUPTED BY THE
COLLAPSE OF A PLATFORM

Source: Daily Evening Bulletin (Maysville [Kentucky]), October 29, 1885

GALWAY Oct. 29. – A reporter came here from Dublin on the train with Messrs. Parnell, Dillon and Sexton, and then went on to Athenry, six miles off, where the nominating convention for the county was to be held. Old Ironside’s grandson came because rumors were current that the extremists among the Nationalists demanded certain candidates who were not the choice of the parliamentary leaders. The trio was escorted by a cheering crowd, headed by a band strong in Moore’s melodies, to the largest hall in the place. This hall proved too small, however, even for the delegates alone, and an adjournment was made to the grounds, where 500 lay and 150 clerical delegates assembled around an improvised platform, under a black autumnal sky. Mr. Parnell took the chair.

Before the opening of the proceedings the angry expression on the features of some of the crowd, which plainly indicate an eagerness in favour of some local nominees. But when the leader looked around as a call to order he seemed to work some magnetic influence, and all angry looks died away. Nevertheless, nine candidates for four districts were presented, and some determined speeches were made in favour of Dr. Dalton, Mr. Mark Molloy, Mr. James Kilmartin, ex-Sub-Inspector Murphy and Mr. John McCarty, who were, however, unsuccessful. Mr. Parnell and Mr. Sexton both spoke temperately for the successtul candidates, Col. Nolan and Messrs. David Sheehey, Patrick Foley and Matthew Harris.

“We go to battle under generals. Do soldiers quarrel with headquarter manoeuvres’’ said Mr. Sexton. Cheers followed, and at this crisis down came the im-provised platform. There was a moment of confusion, but the cheers were redoubled when it was found that no one was hurt. A chair then served for a rostrum, and in true picnic style everything ended harmoniously. Each candidate took the Parnell pledge and Col. Nolan was especially cheered as he took the oath of allegiance.

Thus the monotonous march of the Parnellite campaign has not been broken in Galway, although before Mr. Parnell’s arrival the clerical and revolutionary elements were face to face, with seemingly obstinate looks, Many thousands, accompanied by a band playing patriotic airs, said goodbye to the “Pacificator” at the station. It is doubtful if he will attend the great convention–to be held at Glasgow next Friday–of the Irish League of Great Britain, which looks after Irish voters there.