Parnell 4 - The Phoenix Park Murders and Parnell's Response + Dissolving the Ladies Land League

With this suite of notes, we take a deeper dive into the life of Parnell, his many contributions to reform in Ireland, and his reactions to some more controversial events during his tenure in power. All of which will provide great background context into the 1885/6 elections

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The Phoenix Park Murders

• The Phoenix Park Murders occurred on May 6, 1882, and had a profound impact on British-Irish relations.

• On that day, Lord Frederick Cavendish, the newly appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, and Thomas Henry Burke, the Permanent Undersecretary, were brutally assassinated in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

• Members of the Irish National Invincibles, a radical splinter group of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, carried out the attack. The murders were a reaction to the perceived betrayal by the British government following the Kilmainham Treaty. They were intended to disrupt the growing cooperation between British authorities and moderate Irish nationalists.

• The assassinations sent shockwaves through both Ireland and Britain. Cavendish, a respected figure related to Prime Minister Gladstone, had been seen as a symbol of the new conciliatory approach toward Irish grievances.

• His murder, along with that of Burke, signalled a violent rejection of the political progress made under the Kilmainham Treaty and plunged Ireland back into a state of tension and distrust.

• The British government responded with severe measures. The Prevention of Crime (Ireland) Act 1882, also known as the Coercion Act, was swiftly enacted.

• It granted extensive powers to the authorities, including the ability to arrest and detain individuals without trial. The act aimed to suppress nationalist activities and restore order but also intensified the already strained relationship between the Irish people and British rule.

  
  • The Phoenix Park Murders ultimately underscored the volatile nature of Irish politics and the deep divisions within the nationalist movement, illustrating the challenges in achieving lasting peace and reform.

Parnell's Response

• Charles Stewart Parnell was deeply affected by the Phoenix Park Murders. As a leading Irish nationalist, he understood that the violent act threatened to undermine the political progress he had been working towards.
• Parnell quickly condemned the murders, recognizing the need to distance himself and the Irish Parliamentary Party from the actions of the Invincibles.
• He knew that association with such violence would damage the credibility of the Home Rule movement and alienate potential supporters in both Ireland and Britain.
• Parnell's response was strategic and aimed at preserving the momentum gained through the Kilmainham Treaty.
• He cooperated with British authorities to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, demonstrating his commitment to lawful and constitutional methods of achieving political goals.
• Parnell also used his influence to ensure that the nationalist cause remained focused on achieving reform through parliamentary means rather than violence.
• Despite his condemnation, the murders placed Parnell in a precarious position. British trust in the Home Rule movement wavered, and he faced increased pressure to prove that his leadership could prevent further violence.
• Parnell's ability to navigate this crisis without losing the support of his followers or the British government was a testament to his political acumen.
• His response to the Phoenix Park Murders showcased his dedication to peaceful reform and his skill in maintaining the delicate balance between radical and moderate elements within the Irish nationalist movement.

The Ladies' Land League

• The Ladies' Land League was established on January 31, 1881, by Anna and Fanny Parnell, sisters of Charles Stewart Parnell. It was created in response to the banning of the original Land League and aimed to continue the fight for tenant rights and land reform in Ireland.
• The organisation quickly gained momentum and played a crucial role in sustaining the nationalist cause during a period of intense political repression.
• The Ladies' Land League was notable for its active involvement in direct action and its commitment to aiding evicted tenants.
• The women organised rent strikes, provided financial and material support to those evicted, and publicised the plight of Irish tenants through speeches and writings.
• They set up soup kitchens, distributed clothing, and even rebuilt homes for those affected by eviction, showing a remarkable level of organisation and resilience.
• The League's activities were vital in maintaining the momentum of the land reform movement, particularly during periods when male leaders were imprisoned or otherwise incapacitated.
  • The Ladies' Land League's efforts demonstrated the significant and often underappreciated role of women in the struggle for Irish independence and social justice.

Parnell Dissolving the Ladies' Land League

• Charles Stewart Parnell's dissolution of the Ladies' Land League was a complex and controversial decision that reflected the intricate dynamics of Irish nationalist politics.
• Despite the organisation's substantial contributions, Parnell believed that the Ladies' Land League's continued existence was becoming problematic for the broader Home Rule movement.
• Parnell had several reasons for dissolving the Ladies' Land League. First, he was concerned about the League's increasing radicalism.
• The women's aggressive tactics and uncompromising stance on tenant rights were seen as potentially alienating moderate supporters and provoking harsh reprisals from the British government.
• Parnell, striving for a more conciliatory approach to gain broader support for Home Rule, felt that the League's activities could hinder these efforts.
• Additionally, Parnell wanted to consolidate control over the nationalist movement. Operating independently, the Ladies' Land League often took actions without consulting the main Land League leadership.
• While effective in some respects, this independence also led to a lack of cohesion in the overall strategy for achieving land reform and Home Rule. Parnell aimed to create a more unified and controlled movement by dissolving the Ladies' Land League.
• Despite his pragmatic reasons, the dissolution was met with significant backlash. Many saw it as a betrayal of the women who had tirelessly supported the cause. Anna and Fanny Parnell, in particular, felt undermined and disrespected.
• However, Parnell's decision to dissolve the Ladies' Land League ultimately reflected his strategic vision for a more centralised and cohesive nationalist movement, which he hoped would be more effective in achieving political change through parliamentary means.

Key Term Focus for Additional Study

• Gladstone: William Ewart Gladstone was a British Liberal politician who served as Prime Minister four times. He was known for his efforts to address Irish grievances, including introducing the Land Law (Ireland) Bill and advocating for Home Rule.
• Land Law (Ireland) Bill: Introduced in 1881 by Gladstone, this bill addressed tenant rights in Ireland by implementing the "Three Fs"—fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale. It was a significant step in land reform.
• Parnell: Charles Stewart Parnell was an influential Irish nationalist leader and head of the Irish Parliamentary Party. He was crucial in advocating for Irish Home Rule and land reform.
• Three Fs: This term refers to free sale, fixity of tenure, and fair rent, which were key demands of Irish tenants. To improve tenant rights, these principles were legalised under the 1881 Land Law (Ireland) Bill.
• Ulster Custom: A traditional tenant right in Ulster that allowed tenants to sell their interest in their holdings. It was formally legalised by the 1881 Land Law (Ireland) Bill.
• Home Rule: A movement advocating for Irish self-government within the United Kingdom. It sought to establish a separate parliament in Ireland to manage domestic affairs while remaining under British sovereignty.
• Kilmainham Gaol: A historic jail in Dublin, known for imprisoning many Irish nationalist leaders, including Charles Stewart Parnell during the Land War. It is now a museum.
• Irish National Invincibles: A radical nationalist group responsible for the Phoenix Park Murders. They aimed to force British withdrawal from Ireland through violent means.
• Prevention of Crime (Ireland) Act 1882: Also known as the Coercion Act, this legislation gave the British authorities extensive powers to arrest and detain individuals without trial to suppress nationalist activities.
• Katharine O'Shea: The long-time lover and later wife of Charles Stewart Parnell, she played a key role in his political career. Her scandalous relationship with Parnell led to his political downfall.
• Anna and Fanny Parnell: Sisters of Charles Stewart Parnell, they were instrumental in founding the Ladies' Land League, which supported tenant rights and continued the nationalist cause during times of repression.
• Captain William O'Shea: The husband of Katharine O'Shea and an intermediary between Parnell and Gladstone. He played a crucial role in negotiating the Kilmainham Treaty.
• Frederick Cavendish: The Chief Secretary for Ireland, appointed by Gladstone. He was assassinated in the Phoenix Park Murders shortly after taking office, which had a significant impact on British-Irish relations.
• Thomas Henry Burke: The Permanent Undersecretary for Ireland who was also assassinated in the Phoenix Park Murders. His death alongside Cavendish underscored the violent opposition to British rule in Ireland.
• Ladies' Land League: An organisation founded by Anna and Fanny Parnell in 1881 to continue the work of the banned Land League. It provided crucial support to evicted tenants and maintained the nationalist cause.