The Monks of the Screw facts for kids
The Monks of the Screw was a special club in Ireland that existed from 1779 to 1789. It was also known as the Order of St. Patrick. The name "screw" came from the corkscrew, which was a tool used to open wine bottles. This club was known for its members who were often lawyers and politicians.
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How the Club Started
According to a song from the club, it was jokingly said that Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, started the group way back in the 400s. However, the real founder was John Philpot Curran. He was a very friendly and popular lawyer in Ireland.
The people who joined the club had modern ideas for their time. Some of them even helped to change the old "penal laws" that were unfair to Irish Catholics. Most members were lawyers or politicians in the Parliament of Ireland, which was like the government's law-making body. John Philpot Curran was both a lawyer and a politician. Many members supported the Irish Patriot Party, a group that wanted more freedom for Ireland.
What They Wore and Where They Met
Members of the Monks of the Screw had a special uniform. They had to wear a black gown made of a fabric called poplin.
The club usually met in Kevin Street in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. Sometimes, they would meet at John Philpot Curran's own house, which he called "The Priory." His house was located near a place called Rathfarnham. John Philpot Curran was jokingly called the "Prior" of the club, like the leader of a group of monks.
Famous People Who Joined
Many well-known people of the time were members of the Monks of the Screw. These included important figures like Lord Mornington and Lord Townshend, who used to be a viceroy (a ruler representing the king) in Ireland.
Other notable members were Barry Yelverton, Father Arthur O'Leary, George Ogle, and Henry Grattan. Grattan was a very important politician who fought for Irish rights. The list also included Walter Hussey Burgh, Dudley Hussey, Henry Flood, Arthur Wolfe, Arthur Gore, 2nd Earl of Arran, Jonah Barrington, William Tankerville Chamberlain, Matthias Finucane, Henry Duquerry, and James Dennis.
A Band with the Same Name Today
There is an Irish traditional music band today that is also called "The Monks of the Screw." This band comes from a place called Sliabh Luachra in County Cork, Ireland.
