The Evictions
Eviction Party, Bodyke, 1887
On 2 June, 1887, an eviction party arrived in Bodyke prepared to evict tenants fromtheir homes for non-payment of rent. The party consisted of the acting Sheriff, the landlord's agent, a Resident Magistrate, the RIC, the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, bailiffs and 14 emergency men.
© National Library of IrelandEviction Party, Bodyke, 1887
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Eviction Party, Bodyke, 1887
On 2 June, 1887, an eviction party arrived in Bodyke prepared to evict tenants fromtheir homes for non-payment of rent. The party consisted of the acting Sheriff, the landlord's agent, a Resident Magistrate, the RIC, the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, bailiffs and 14 emergency men.
© National Library of IrelandCompromise between the tenants and Colonel O'Callaghan could not be reached. The Colonel decided to evict those who had fallen behind in their rents from their homes.
During the last week in May, 1887, a large crowd of people gathered daily in Bodyke, expecting the evictions to take place at any time. On June 2, the eviction party finally arrived. Tenants barricaded their houses and threw boiling liquid, cowdung and other unpleasant materials as the eviction party tried to gain access to the houses.
Eviction of Margaret McNamara, Bodyke, 1887
One of the first people to be evicted at Bodyke in June, 1887, was an eighty year old widow, Margaret McNamara. She can be seen sitting in the window. Her sons and daughters wait outside the barricaded house.
© National Library of IrelandEviction of Margaret McNamara, Bodyke, 1887
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Eviction of Margaret McNamara, Bodyke, 1887
One of the first people to be evicted at Bodyke in June, 1887, was an eighty year old widow, Margaret McNamara. She can be seen sitting in the window. Her sons and daughters wait outside the barricaded house.
© National Library of IrelandOn the first day of the evictions two households were evicted. One of those evicted was Margaret McNamara, an eighty year old widow. On the second day, three evictions took place. One family, the O'Hallorans
, defended their home so well that their house acquired the title 'O'Halloran's Fort' as a result.
The O'Halloran Sisters, Bodyke, 1887
The O'Hallorans were one of the families to be evicted from their home in Bodykein June, 1887. The O'Hallorans, defended their home so well that their house acquired the title 'O'Halloran's Fort' as a result.
© National Library of Ireland
Tenants and Effigy of Colonel Callaghan
Large crowds of tenants gathered to protest against the evictions at Bodyke. Meetings were held in the evenings after the evictions to rally support for those who had lost their homes. Michael Davitt spoke at these meetings.
© National Library of IrelandTenants and Effigy of Colonel Callaghan
© National Library of Ireland
© National Library of Ireland
Tenants and Effigy of Colonel Callaghan
Large crowds of tenants gathered to protest against the evictions at Bodyke. Meetings were held in the evenings after the evictions to rally support for those who had lost their homes. Michael Davitt spoke at these meetings.
© National Library of IrelandTwenty-six people, twenty-two of them females, were charged with assaulting and obstructing the forces of the law and tried in Ennis court on June 18th. Some were freed, or given bail, others given hard labour of up to 3 months. Colonel O'Callaghan lost heavily as he had to pay the cost of the eviction party and police protection.
Aftermath
Following the confrontaion and evictions at Bodyke, relations between O'Callaghan and his tenanats were never good. The evictions didn't solve the problems of the people who continued to have difficulty paying rent. By 1892, in cases where tenants could not meet their rent cattle and other goods would be siezed.
In November 1893, O'Callaghan evicted a further eight tenants and put some of his own cattle out to graze on the evicted farms. The following year, a number of his cattle were poisoned.
In 1909, the Land Commission acquired the Bodyke section of the O'Callaghan estate and tenants eventually purcahsed their own farms.