Search Results for 'George Clendenning'

In the summer of 1831, famine returned to County Mayo, and the starving took to the roads in search of food. Travellers on the roads witnessed and recorded many desperate people in the fields feeding on mustard, cress, and other herbage. Convoys of horses and carts carrying food also plied the roads, and it was not long before the starving turned their attention to them. The carts had meal and flour imported through Westport, destined for markets, big houses, and famine relief depots. The authorities responded by assigning armed escorts, but hunger had disarmed people of their fear of armed soldiers and constables.

The sound of artillery and musket fire has died away. Dead combatants and military ordinance are scattered on the Green in Castlebar. Outside the County Prison on the Green, the blood-soaked body of a lone Fraser Fencible lay dead on the steps – bludgeoned to death by French infantrymen.

Focal points in public spaces in towns and cities across Ireland take many forms. Many of them speak to a specific moment in time.

Faction fighting and duelling were common in Mayo well into the 19th century. Duelling with swords or pistols was the preserve of gentleman and military men. On the other hand, faction fights were fought with sticks, clubs, stones, and other instruments of bludgeon by large numbers of people who gathered after Mass or at fairs, patterns, or other events.