Daniel O Connell's Clontarf Meeting by Vincent Ruddy 11th November

‘Daniel O’Connell’s Clontarf Meeting’ by Vincent Ruddy - Monday 11 November 2013 at 8.15 pm - Parish Resource Centre, Clontarf Road - A talk organised by the Clontarf Historical Society.

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.

Vincent Duddy has been studying the proposed meeting, where it was to take place, the local priests who were involved, and many other aspects relating to it.