5/7/2008
Nine Fine Irishmen
The Story

Inspired by liberalism and romantic nationalism, the Young Irelanders sprung up as a revolutionary movement in the mid 19th century. These Nine Fine Irishmen were inspired to seek freedom for Ireland using mostly peaceful means. Indeed their use of the media as a powerful weapon against their oppressors is now widely recognized as one of the first uses of “spin.”

In the Young Irish disorders of 1848, the following nine men were captured, tried and convicted of treason against Her Majesty, the Queen, and were sentenced to death: Thomas Francis Meagher, William Smith O’Brien, Thomas D’Arcy Magee, Patrick O’Donohue, Terrence Bellew McManus, Richard O’Gorman, John Mitchel, John Blake Dillon and Charles Gavan Duffy.

Before passing sentence, the judge asked if there was anything that anyone wished to say. Meagher, speaking for all, said: “My lord, this is our first offense, but not our last. If you will be easy with us this once, we promise, on our word as gentlemen, to try to do better next time. And next time – sure we won’t be fools to get caught.”

Thereupon the indignant judge sentenced them all to execution. However, passionate protests from around the world forced Queen Victoria to commute the sentence to transportation for life in Tasmania.

Five of the men, Thomas Francis Meagher, John Mitchel, Patrick O’Donohue, Terrence Bellow McManus and William Smith O’Brien, were exiled to Australia. Three of the men, John Blake Dillon, Thomas D’Arcy Magee and Richard O’Gorman, escaped to North America. And the ninth, Charles Gavan Duffy went to Australia in a self-imposed exile.

In 1874, word reached the Queen that Sir Charles Duffy, who had been elected Prime Minister of Australia, was the same Charles Duffy who had been transported 25 years before. On the Queen’s demand, the records of several of the men were revealed and this is what was uncovered:

• Thomas Francis Meagher, Governor of Montana and Brigadier General, U.S. Army
• John Blake Dillon, Brigadier General, U.S. Army
• Richard O’Gorman, Governor General of Newfoundland
• Thomas D’Arcy Magee, Member of Parliament, Montreal, Minister of Agriculture and President Council, Dominion of Canada
• John Mitchel, prominent publisher and politician
• William Smith O’Brien, author, Principles of Government
• Patrick O’Donohue, author, Irish Exile
• Terence Bellew McManus, leader of the Liverpool Irish
• Charles Gavan Duffy, Prime Minister of Australia

These Irishmen solidified their places of honour in not only the history of their own country, but in the histories of the United States, Canada and Australia.

Their story is one of great adventure, fueled by the political upheaval in Ireland that sent them on their incredible journeys around the world.

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