Clontarf Historical Society Talk
The ‘Monster’ meeting in support of Repeal of the Act of Union movement that was arranged for Clontarf by Daniel O’Connell for Sunday 8 October 1843 was called off by O’Connell late on 7th following its banning by Sir Robert Peel, the British prime minister, earlier in the day. O’Connell felt he had little option to do otherwise because of the influx of troops to the area and the arrival of two naval vessels carrying more. O’Connell was a pacifist and he was fearful of the slaughter that might ensue if the meeting went ahead.
Unfortunately, O’Connell’s actions caused a split in the Repeal movement camp that resulted in the ‘Young Irelanders’ making a complete break from him later.