Henry Mullady facts for kids
From left to right: John Devoy, Charles Underwood O'Connell, Henry (Harry) Mullady, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, and John McClure.
Henry (Harry) Mullady (also known as Henry Shaw) was an Irish activist who wanted Ireland to be independent from British rule. He was part of a group called the Fenian Brotherhood. In 1871, he became one of The Cuba Five, a group of Irish exiles sent away from the U.K..
Who Was Henry Mullady?
Henry Mullady was an important member of the Fenian Brotherhood. The Fenians were a group of Irish people who believed Ireland should be a free country, separate from British control. They worked to achieve this goal, sometimes through secret plans.
Early Activism
Henry Mullady was arrested on March 7, 1867, near Dublin. He was found with a loaded gun and some important letters. At the time, he was about 26 years old and worked as a carpenter. He was very active in the Fenian movement.
He worked closely with other Fenians like Ricard O'Sullivan Burke and Joseph Theobald Casey. They were involved in buying many rifles, pistols, and other supplies in 1865. Henry Mullady also helped with plans to raid a place called Chester Castle in 1867. His main job was to pass secret messages between the group's leaders.
Arrest and Trial
Henry Mullady, along with Ricard O'Sullivan Burke and Joseph Theobald Casey, faced a serious trial. They were accused of a crime called 'treason-felony'. This meant they were charged with trying to go against the government.
Casey was found not guilty. Burke received a sentence of 15 years in prison. Henry Mullady was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Cuba Five and Exile
In January 1871, a general pardon was announced. Henry Mullady was released from prison on January 7. He and four other Fenians were given a choice: stay in the UK with strict rules, or leave the country and go to the United States. They chose to go to the US.
The group sailed from Liverpool on a ship called the Cuba. When they arrived in the US on January 19, they received a huge welcome. Many Fenians and even some US government representatives were there to greet them. The exiles decided to stay on the ship for the first night.
Henry Mullady's name, as Henry S. Mullady, was on a letter thanking everyone for the warm welcome. This group of five exiles became famous as the Cuba Five. People had collected money to help them start new lives. The next day, they were paraded down Broadway in New York City, joined by the 69th Infantry Regiment, also known as the 'Irish Brigade'.
