400 people riot on farm in Galway
Galway, 1 April 1915 - A fierce encounter between police and local people took place yesterday at a farm at Lisduff, near Killimore in Co. Galway. The land was recently bought by the Finn family from Loughrea from the previous owner, Major Brush. The Estates Commissioners had attempted to buy the land, but were outbid.
A confidential report for April 1915. It includes reference to the riots at Lisduff: 'At Tynagh and Killimore the disturbance... in connection with the sale of Lisduff house and farm by the owner Major Brush, to James Finn, Loughrea... the agitation is due to the taking over of Skehard farm from Rev Canon Geraghty PP by the CD Board who have appointed a new herd on the farm against the wishes of a large section of the people who wish the old hered to be retained.' Click image to view full document. (Image: National Archives UK, CO 904/96)
The farm was occupied by local people who put their stock on it, until 57 policemen attempted to clear it. They were met by 400 people armed with sticks, stones and spades. Several civilians and more than a dozen police were hospitalised as a result of the ensuing chaos and the land remained in the control of the local people.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
