Martin O'Halloran facts for kids

Martin O'Halloran was an important member of the County Galway Land League. He was active in the Land League from about 1879 to 1881. The Land League was a group in Ireland that worked to help farmers and tenants get fair treatment from landlords. They wanted to change the laws about land ownership.

Who was Martin O'Halloran?

Martin O'Halloran was a key leader in the Land League. He served as the Secretary for the Kiltullagh branch of the Irish Land League. This meant he helped organize meetings and activities for the group in his local area.

Speaking Up for Farmers

O'Halloran was known for his strong speeches. He spoke at a meeting in Craughwell where he talked about the problems farmers faced. He encouraged people to stand up for their rights against landlords. He famously said that landlords "were shaking like bulrushes in a bog," meaning they were very scared of the changes the Land League was bringing.

Arrest and Influence

Because of his powerful speeches and his work with the Land League, Martin O'Halloran was arrested in March 1881. He was held under a law called the Forster’s Coercion Act. This law allowed the government to arrest people who they thought were causing trouble, even without a trial.

Despite his arrest, O'Halloran was a very influential person in his community. He was a leading activist and campaigner, and many people listened to him. He was also the president of the Tubber branch of the Land League.

Challenging the Government

At a Land League meeting on December 12, 1880, in Craughwell, O'Halloran openly challenged the English Government. He claimed he could get rid of all the police in Galway in just 24 hours. He also urged people to boycott the police, which meant to refuse to cooperate with them. He was arrested in April 1881 for these actions.

Categories