Terence MacManus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terence Bellew MacManus
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Terence Bellew MacManus
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| Born | c. 1811 (or 1823) Tempo, County Fermanagh, Ireland
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| Died | 15 January 1861 |
Terence Bellew MacManus (born around 1811 or 1823 – died January 15, 1861) was an Irish freedom fighter. He took part in the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848. This was a fight for Ireland's independence.
MacManus was sentenced to death for his role in the rebellion. But his sentence was changed. He was sent to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) for life. This was a faraway prison colony.
In 1852, MacManus managed to escape. He then moved to the United States. He lived in San Francisco, California until he passed away in 1861. His body was brought back to Dublin, Ireland. There, a group called the Fenians held a very large funeral for him. They honored him for his part in the rebellion.
MacManus is remembered for a powerful statement he made in court in 1848. He said he acted "not because I loved England less, but because I loved Ireland more." This showed his deep love for his home country.
Contents
Early Life and Activism
Terence MacManus was born in Tempo, County Fermanagh, Ireland. This was around 1811 or 1823. He went to local church schools when he was young.
As a young man, he moved to Liverpool, a big port city in England. He became a successful shipping agent there. This meant he helped arrange for ships to carry goods.
In 1848, he returned to Ireland. He joined the Repeal Association. This group wanted to end the Act of Union. This law had joined Great Britain and Ireland together.
Role in the Rebellion
MacManus later joined the Irish Confederation. This group also wanted more freedom for Ireland. In July 1848, he joined William Smith O'Brien and John Blake Dillon. They took part in the Young Irelander Rebellion. This happened in Ballingarry, County Tipperary.
MacManus and the other leaders were arrested. They were found guilty of treason. This was a serious crime against the government. They were sentenced to death.
Life After the Rebellion
Many people supported the rebels. Because of this, their death sentences were changed. Instead, they were sent away for life. In 1849, MacManus was sent to Van Diemen's Land. He traveled on a ship called the Swift. Other leaders, like O'Brien, Thomas Francis Meagher, and Patrick O'Donoghue, were also on board.
They were sent to different places in the new land. This was to stop them from working together. But the Irish men still met in secret.
Escape and Later Years
In 1852, MacManus and Meagher escaped from Australia. They made their way to San Francisco, California. MacManus decided to stay there. Meagher went on to New York City.
MacManus tried to restart his shipping business in San Francisco. But he was not successful. He died in 1861, around the age of 50. He did not have much money when he died.
His body was sent back to Ireland. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on November 10, 1861. The Fenians organized a very large funeral for him. It was a big event to show their support for Irish nationalism.
Images for kids
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The grave of Terence Bellew MacManus in the Fenian Plot, Glasnevin, Dublin.
See also
- List of convicts transported to Australia
