Irish National Invincibles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Irish National Invincibles |
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Grave of James Fitzharris (Skin the Goat)
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| Also known as | Invincibles |
| Leader(s) | James Carey |
| Dates of operation | 1881–1883 |
| Split from | Irish Republican Brotherhood |
| Country | Ireland |
| Motives | To kill the authorities in Dublin Castle |
| Headquarters | Dublin |
| Ideology | Irish nationalism |
| Major actions | Phoenix Park Murders |
The Irish National Invincibles, often called the Invincibles, were a secret group in Ireland. They were active from 1881 to 1883. This group broke away from a larger organization called the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The Invincibles had a more extreme goal. They wanted to target and remove British officials who were in charge of Ireland.
Contents
The Phoenix Park Murders
A top British official in Ireland, William Edward Forster, resigned from his job. This happened after many attempts were made on his life. The Invincibles then planned to kill another important official, Thomas Henry Burke. He worked at the Irish Office.
On May 6, 1882, a new official named Lord Frederick Cavendish arrived in Ireland. He was walking with Burke in Phoenix Park, Dublin. At about 5:30 PM, the Invincibles attacked. Joe Brady attacked Burke. Soon after, Tim Kelly attacked Cavendish. Both attackers used special knives.
Finding the Attackers
The police in Dublin arrested many people. They questioned them carefully. A police officer named Superintendent Mallon got some suspects to tell what they knew. The leader of the Invincibles, James Carey, and another member, Michael Kavanagh, agreed to help the police. They gave evidence against the others.
Because of this, Joe Brady, Michael Fagan, Thomas Caffrey, Dan Curley, and Tim Kelly were put to death. This happened in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin between May 14 and June 4, 1883. Other members of the group were sent to prison for a long time. However, some of the main leaders of the Invincibles were never caught or tried by the British government. These people, including John Walsh, Patrick Egan, John Sheridan, Frank Byrne, and Patrick Tynan, escaped to the United States.
What Happened Next?
James Carey, who had helped the police, was later killed. He was shot on a ship called Melrose Castle. This happened near Cape Town, South Africa, on July 29, 1883. The person who shot him was Patrick O'Donnell from County Donegal. O'Donnell was angry that Carey had given evidence against his friends.
O'Donnell was caught and taken back to London. He was found guilty of murder. He was put to death on December 17, 1883.
The Invincibles in Stories and Songs
The Invincibles and the events in Phoenix Park are mentioned in books and songs.
In a famous book called Ulysses by James Joyce, characters talk about the killings. In another part of the book, two characters meet a man they believe is James 'Skin-the-Goat' Fitzharris, who was also linked to the Invincibles.
The Invincibles and James Carey are also mentioned in an old folk song called "Monto (Take Her Up To Monto)":
When Carey told on Skin-the-goat,
O'Donnell caught him on the boat
He wished he'd never been afloat, the filthy skite.
Twasn't very sensible
To tell on the Invincibles
They stood up for their principles, day and night by going up to Monto Monto......"
