Founding of the Land League
Davitt visited the US again in 1878 to meet some Irish nationalist leaders and to raise funds by doing a lecture tour. He called for an end to the landlord system in Ireland, and spoke out in favour of Irish self-government. Influenced by the Clann na Gael leader John Devoy, Davitt began to favour a 'new departure' in Irish politics. This meant that radicals, such as the Fenians, would support nationalists in Parliament as long as they acted in the interests of land reform and Irish independence.
Daly's Hotel, Castlebar
During the late 1870s, bad weather, poor crops and falling cattle prices caused a crisis in Mayo. This left many people heavily in debt and unable to pay their rents. The crop failures revived memories of the Great Famine and resulted in spontaneous mass protest. This anger was channelled, under the leadership of Michael Davitt, into the formation of the Land League in 1879. An historic meeting at Daly's Hotel on the Mall in Castlebar took place on 16 August 1879. During this meeting, the Land League of Mayo was established. Later that year, the organisation became national.
Reproduced by kind permission of Gary Wynne.Daly's Hotel, Castlebar
Reproduced by kind permission of Gary Wynne.
Reproduced by kind permission of Gary Wynne.
Daly's Hotel, Castlebar
During the late 1870s, bad weather, poor crops and falling cattle prices caused a crisis in Mayo. This left many people heavily in debt and unable to pay their rents. The crop failures revived memories of the Great Famine and resulted in spontaneous mass protest. This anger was channelled, under the leadership of Michael Davitt, into the formation of the Land League in 1879. An historic meeting at Daly's Hotel on the Mall in Castlebar took place on 16 August 1879. During this meeting, the Land League of Mayo was established. Later that year, the organisation became national.
Reproduced by kind permission of Gary Wynne.In April 1879, a large protest meeting was held in Irishtown in Co. Mayo. Davitt persuaded Parnell to speak at another meeting in Westport, Co. Mayo in June. Due to Davitt's powers of persuasion, Parnell became involved in the land question. Davitt founded the Land League of Mayo in August of that year and was key in organising protests against landlords. His slogan was 'the land of Ireland for the people of Ireland'.
Charles Stewart Parnell
A portrait of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-91), famous Irish parliamentarian and President of the Land League.
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
A portrait of Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-91), famous Irish parliamentarian and President of the Land League.
Later, Davitt persuaded Parnell to help take the Mayo Land League nationwide. The Land League was founded in October 1879. It was one of the most important mass movements in Irish history. Among its aims were fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale, commonly referred to as the 'three Fs'.The Land League used many tactics to achieve its aims, including rent strikes and boycotts. Parnell and other politicians used parliamentary actions, such as 'obstructionism'. This involved bringing the business of Parliament to a standstill through long, rambling speeches, and was much used by Parnell, who was following the example of earlier nationalist politicians, such as Joseph Biggar. These tactics were very effective in drawing attention to the land question in Ireland.