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Charles J. Kickham
Charles J. Kickham

Charles Joseph Kickham (9 May 1828–22 August 1882) was an Irish revolutionary, novelist, poet, journalist and one of the most prominent members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Events In the election in County Clare, Daniel O'Connell wins the seat with the Catholic Association. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Year 1882 ( MDCCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic Republic" in the mid nineteenth

Contents

Early life

Charles Kickham was born at Mullinahone, County Tipperary, on 9 May, 1828. Mullinahone ( Muileann na hUamhan in Irish) is a Village in County Tipperary, Ireland. County Tipperary (Contae Thiobraid Árann is a County in Ireland situated in the Province of Munster. [1] His father John Kickham was proprietor of the principal drapery in the locality, and was held in high esteem for his patriotic spirit. [2] His mother, Anne O'Mahony, was related to the Fenian leader John O'Mahony. For other people called John O'Mahony see John O'Mahony (disambiguation. [3] Charles Kickham grew up largely deaf and almost blind, the result of an explosion with a powder flask when he was 13. He was educated locally, were it was intended he study for the medical profession. [4] During his boyhood the Repeal agitation was at its height, and he soon became versed in its arguments, and was inspired by its principles. He often heard the issues discussed in his father’s shop and at home amongst all his friends and acquaintances. [5]

The Nation

From a young age he was imbued with these patriotic ideals. [6][7] He became acquainted with the teaching of the Young Irelanders through their newspaper The Nation from its foundation in October, 1842. Young Ireland ( Irish: Éire Óg) was a political cultural and social movement which was to revolutionise the way that Irish nationalism was perceived The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly Newspaper, published in the 19th century Events October - The Nation newspaper is founded Births 6 February - Jeremiah Kickham’s father used to read the paper aloud every week for the family. This reading would include the speeches in Reconciliation Hall (home of the Repeal Association) and reports on Repeal meetings in the provinces. The Repeal Association was an Irish mass membership political movement set up by Daniel O'Connell to campaign for a repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 between Also of interest was the lead articles and literary pages, including, the "Poet’s Corner. " [8] Like all the young people of the time, and a great many of the old ones, according to Seán Ua Cellaigh, his sympathies went with the Young Irelanders on their secession from the Repeal Association.

Kickham contributed, when he was 22 year old, "The Harvest Moon" sung to the air of "The Young May Moon," to The Nation on 17 August, 1850. Other verses were to follow, but the finest of Kickham’s poems according to A. M. O’Sullivan, appeared in other journals. "Rory of the Hill," "The Irish Peasant Girl," and "Home Longings" better known as "Slievenamon" were published in the Celt. "The First Felon" (John Mitchel) appeared in the Irishman. John Mitchel ( Irish: Seán Mistéil; b November 3, 1815 &ndash d "My Name is Patrick Sheehan," the story of an old soldier, was published in the Kilkenny Journal, and became very popular as an anti-recruiting song, according to O’Sullivan. [9]

Kickham began to write for a number of papers, including The Nation, but also the Celt, the Irishman, the Shamrock, and would become one of the leader writers on the Irish People, the Fenian organ, in which many of his poems appeared. The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic Republic" in the mid nineteenth His writings were signed using his initials, his full name, or the pseudonyms, "Slievenamon" and "Momonia. " [10]

1848 Rebellion

Kickham was the leading member of the Confederation Club in Mullinahone, which he was instrumental in founding, [11] and when the revolutionary spirit began to grip the people in 1848 turned out with a freshly-made pike to join William Smith O'Brien and John Blake Dillon when they arrived in Mullinahone in July 1848. William Smith O'Brien ( 17 October 1803 &ndash 18 June 1864) was an Irish Nationalist and Member of Parliament (MP John Blake Dillon ( 5 May 1814 &ndash 15 September 1866) was an Irish writer and Politician who was one of the founding members The Young Irelander Rebellion (sometimes called "Famine Rebellion" of 1848 as it took place during the Great Irish Famine (1845-1849) was a failed [12] On hearing of the progress of O’Brien through the country, Kickham had set to work manufacturing pikes, and was in the forge when news reached him that the leaders were looking for him. It was here that Kickham would meet James Stephens for the first time. James Stephens (1824 - 28 April 1901) was an Irish Republican and the founding member of the Fenian movement in Dublin in 1858 later to become [13] At O’Brien’s request, he rang the chapel bell to summon the people and before midnight a Brigade had answered the summons. [14] Kickham would later write a detailed account about this period which brought his connection with the attempted Rising of 1848 to a close. [15]

Irish Republican Brotherhood

After the failure at Ballingarry he had to conceal himself for some time, as a result of the part he had played in rousing the people of his native village to action. [16][17] When the excitement had subsided, he returned to his father’s house, and resumed his interests in the sports of fishing and fowling, and spent much of his time in literary pursuits, for which he had great natural capacity and all the more inclined as a result of the accident. [18] Some of the authors in which he was well versed were Tennyson and Dickens and he greatly admired George Eliot, and after Shakespeare, was Burns. [19] In the autumn of 1857, a messenger, Owen Considine arrived from New York with a message for James Stephens from members [20] of the Emmet Monument Association, calling on him to get up an organization in Ireland. [21] On the 23 December Stephen's dispatched Joseph Denieffe to America with his reply, and outlined his conditions and his requirements from the organisation in America. [22] Denieffe returned on the 17 March 1858 with the acceptance of Stephens terms and £80. That evening, St. Patrick's Day, the Irish Republican Brotherhood commenced. Saint Patrick's Day (Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig) colloquially St [23][24] Those present in Langan's, lathe-maker and timber merchant, 16 Lombard Street for that first meeting were Stephens, Kickham, Thomas Clarke Luby, Peter Langan, Denieffe[25] and Garrett O'Shaughnessy. There are at least three famous Lombard Street s Lombard Street San Francisco, famed for its twists and turns Lombard Street London, leading [26][27] Later it would include members of the Phoenix National and Literary Society, which was formed in 1856 by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa in Skibbereen. Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa (September 1831 - June 29 1915 a family of tenant farmers Skibbereen ( Irish: An Sciobairín) is a town in Ireland. The name "Skibbereen" (often shortened to "Skibb" means "little boat [28]

Irish People

Denis Dowling Mulcahy, Thomas Clarke Luby and John O'Leary
Denis Dowling Mulcahy, Thomas Clarke Luby and John O'Leary

In mid 1863 Stephens informed his colleagues he wished to start a newspaper, with financial aid from O’Mahony and the Fenian Brotherhood in America. Thomas Clarke Luby ( 16 January 1822 &ndash 29 November 1901) was an Irish revolutionary author Journalist and one of the founding John O'Leary ( born 23 July 1830 died 16 March 1907 was an Irish Poet and Fenian. The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish Republican organization founded in the United States in 1850s by John O'Mahony and Michael Doheny. The offices were established at 12 Parliament Street, almost at the gates of Dublin Castle. [29] The first number of the Irish people appeared on 28 November, 1863. [30] The staff of the paper along with Kickham were Luby and Denis Dowling Mulcahy as the editorial staff. O’Donovan Rossa and James O’Connor had charge of the business office, with John Haltigan being the printer. John O'Leary was brought from London to take charge in the role of Editor. John O'Leary ( born 23 July 1830 died 16 March 1907 was an Irish Poet and Fenian. [31] Shortly after the establishment of the paper, Stephens departed on an America tour, and to attend to organizational matters. [32]Before leaving, he entrusted to Luby a document containing secret resolutions on the Committee of Organization or Executive of the IRB. Though Luby intimated its existence to O’Leary, he did not inform Kickham as there seemed no necessity. This document would later form the basis of the prosecution against the staff of the Irish People. The document read: [33]

“ EXECUTIVE

I hereby appoint Thomas Clarke Luby, John O’Leary and Charles J. Kickham, a Committee of Organization or Executive, with the same supreme control over the Home Organization (Ireland, England, Scotland, etc. ) I have exercised myself. I further empower them to appoint a Committee of Military Inspection, and a Committee of Appeal and Judgment, the functions of which Committee will be made known to each member of them by the Executive. Trusting to the patriotism and ability of the Executive, I fully endorse their action beforehand, and call on every man in our ranks to support and be guided by them in all that concerns our military brotherhood. Dublin, 9 March 1864. J. STEPHENS

 ”

Kickham’s first contribution to the Irish People appeared in the third number titled, “Leaves from a Journal,” based on a journal kept by Kickham on his way to America in 1863. This article left no doubt as to his literary capacity according to O’Leary. The third edition also saw the last article by Stephens titled “Felon-setting” a much used phrase now to the Irish political vocabulary. [34] It would fall to Kickham, as a good Catholic to tackle the priests, [35] though not exclusively with articles such as “Two Sets of Principles,” a rebuff to the doctrines laid down by Lord Carlisle, and “A Retrospect” dealing with the tenant-right movement chiefly but also the events of the recent past and their bearing on the present. [36] Kickham would articulate the attitude held by the IRB in relation to priests, or more particularly in politics:[37]

“ Nothing would please us better than to keep clear of the vexed question of priests in politics if we could do so without injury to the cause which we were endeavouring to serve. But the question was forced upon us. We saw clearly that the people should be taught to distinguish between the priest as a minister of religion and the priest as a politician before they could be got to advance one step on the road to independence… ”

On the 15 July 1865 American made plans for a rising in Ireland were discovered when the emissary lost them at Kingstown railway station. They found their way to Dublin Castle and to Superintendent Daniel Ryan head of G Division. Ryan had an informer within the offices of the Irish People named Pierce Nagle, he supplied Ryan with an “action this year” message on its way to the IRB unit in Tipperary. With this information, Ryan raided the offices of the Irish People on Thursday 15 September, followed by the arrests of O’Leary, Luby and O’Donovan Rossa. Kickham was caught after a month on the run. [38] Stephens would also be caught but with the support of Fenian prison warders, John J. Breslin[39] and Daniel Byrne was less than a fortnight in Richmond Bridewell when he vanished and escaped to France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. [40] The last number of the paper is dated 16 September, 1865. [41].

Trial and Sentence

On 11 November, 1865, Kickham was sentenced to fourteen years’ penal servitude. [42] The prisoners’ refusal to disown their opposition to British rule in any way, even when facing charges of life-imprisonment, earned them the nickname of ‘the bold Fenian men’. [43] In the course of his speech from the Dock Kickham was to say:[44][45]

“ . . . Concessions to Ireland have always been the result of Fenianism in some shape or other. The English Government, however, while making concessions, always expected to get something in return. Not only have they stipulated upon getting prompt payment indeed, but they also contrive to get a large instalment in advance. . . English rule in Ireland is on its trial. The Government admit the existence of a widespread conspiracy, both in Ireland and America. This only shows that the treatment of Ireland by England has been judged and condemned. I regard alien government of this kind as a thing to be overthrown by the methods everywhere recognised as the most efficacious for such a holy purpose. This is my vindication, my justification for the attitude I have taken. . . ”

Quoting then from Thomas Davis Kickham continued:

“ The tribune’s tongue and poet’s pen

May sow the seed in slavish men,
But ‘tis the soldier’s sword alone
Can reap the harvest when ‘tis grown. Thomas Osborne Davis ( October 14, 1814 - September 16, 1845) was a revolutionary Irish writer who was the chief organizer

”

Judge Keogh, before passing sentence asked him if he had any further remarks to make in reference to his case. Mr. Kickham briefly replied: "I believe, my lords, I have said enough already. I will only add that I am convicted for doing nothing but my duty. I have endeavoured to serve Ireland, and now I am prepared to suffer for Ireland. " Then the judge with many expressions of sympathy for the prisoner, and many compliments in reference to his intellectual attainments, sentenced him to be kept in penal servitude for fourteen years. [46]

Released under partial amnesty of March, 1869, because of ill-health, and upon his release Kickham was made Chairman of the Supreme Council of the I. R. B. and, according to Devoy, ‘the unchallenged leader’ of the reorganized movement. [47]According to Desmond Ryan, Kickham was an effective orator and chairman of meetings despite his physical handicaps, he wore an ear trumpet, and could only read when he held books or papers within a few inches of his eyes. Kickham for many years carried on conversations by means of the deaf and dumb alphabet. [48]

Conclusion

Charles Kickham was the author of three well-known stories, dealing sympathetically with Irish life and manners and the simple faith, the joys and sorrows, the quaint customs and the in suppressible humour of the peasantry. “Knocknagow,” or “The Homes of Tipperary,” one of the finest tales of peasant life ever written, suggests O’Sullivan. “Sally Cavanagh,” or “The Untenanted Graves,” a touching story illustrating the evils of landlordism and emigration; and “For the Old Land,” dealing with the fortunes of a small farmer’s family, with its lights and shades. [49] John O’Leary was to say of Kickham in his Recollections of Fenians and Fenianism:[50]

“ …there was another kind of knowledge beside that of books possessed by Kickham, and in this I have never met with any one who excelled him. He knew the Irish people thoroughly, but especially the middle and so-called lower classes, and from thoroughness of knowledge came thoroughness of sympathy. It was not that he at all ignored the faults or shortcomings of the people, but he was convinced that these were far more than counter balanced by their virtues, and, anyway, whatever merits or demerits they might have, they were his people, to whom he was bound to cling through life unto death, and this he did with a strength and force excelled by no man of his generation, if equalled by any. ”

John Devoy called him “the finest intellect in the Fenian movement, either in Ireland or in America. ” [51]

Charles Kickham died on 22 August, 1882, in his 54 year. He died at the house of James O’Connor (a former member of the IRB and after wards M. P. for Wicklow) 2 Montpelier Place, Blackrock, Dublin, where he had been living for many years and was buried in Mullinahone. [52]

References

  1. ^ D. Ryan, p. 350, M. Ryan, p. 77
  2. ^ Ua Cellaigh, p. 222
  3. ^   "Charles Joseph Kickham". Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.  
  4. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  5. ^ Ua Cellaigh, p. 222
  6. ^ M. Ryan, p. 77
  7. ^ Duffy, p. 659
  8. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  9. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  10. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  11. ^ Ua Cellaigh, p. 222
  12. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  13. ^ D. Ryan, p. 18
  14. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  15. ^ It was computed that from 6,000 men, armed with fowling pieces, impromptu rifles and pitchforks, were drawn up and kept at rudimentary drill that night along the streets and roads leading to the little town of Mullinahone. They were ready to face death beyond all questions. A few barricades were thrown up, but O’Brien forbade the felling of trees across the road without the permission of the owners of the estates upon which they grew . . . As the morning advanced the little army began to melt away. They saw no fighting to be done—no work of any kind; and had no idea where breakfast was to be had, except under their own roofs. There was some excitement and anxiety as to what was going to happen when O’Brien walked into the police barrack the door of which was open, as if nothing unusual was going on. There was a laugh, however among the crowd when a big policeman put his head out of an upper window, exclaiming: ‘Yerrah, sure the time isn’t come yet to surrender our arms. D’ye wait till the right time comes. ’ There were still some hundreds of men remaining who were near enough to their homes to have got breakfast, or who had money to buy a loaf of bread, and these escorted the leaders for a mile or so till they were met by a party of Ballingarry men. Dillon desired the Mullinahone to turn back. I shook hands with him and James Stephens, who sat on the same side of the car, looking cheerful and hopeful. I also shook hands with Smith O’Brien, who looked happy and dreamy smoking a cigar. refO’Sullivan, p. 347-9, D. Ryan, pp. 20-1, A full account of this is in Four Years of Irish History 1845-1849, Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. 1888. pp. 659-62
  16. ^ Ua Cellaigh, p. 222
  17. ^ M. Ryan, p. 77
  18. ^ Ua Cellaigh, p. 222
  19. ^ O’Leary, Vol I 264-5
  20. ^ the name of of the members were John O'Mahony, Michael Doheny, James Roche and Oliver Byrne. For other people called John O'Mahony see John O'Mahony (disambiguation. Michael Doheny ( May 22 1805 - April 1 1863) was an Irish writer and member of the Young Ireland movement cite O'Leary, pg. 80
  21. ^ Ryan Desmond, pg. 87
  22. ^ A full copy of the letter is available in Desmond Ryan’s Fenian Chief pg. 89-90
  23. ^ Ryan. Desmond, pg. 90-1, Ó Broin, pg. 1, Cronin, pg. 11
  24. ^ It has been suggested, notably by O'Donovan Rossa, and Luby that the original name for the organisation was the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood, this is a view shared by Joseph Denieffe in his memoir. It also appears in correspondences of the Fenian Leaders, Devoy’s Post Bag being another example. What is certain is that it became the Irish Republican Brotherhood and it lasted in Ireland and among Irish exiles all over the world under that name.
  25. ^ In John O'leary's Fenians and Fenianism, he spells the name "Deneefe" though this is incorrect, cite O'Leary, pg. 82
  26. ^ O'Leary, pg. 82
  27. ^ An Phoblacht 13 March, 2008
  28. ^ O'Leary, pg. 84
  29. ^ D. Ryan, pp. 187-90
  30. ^ O'Leary Vol. I, p. 246
  31. ^ Denieffe, p. 82
  32. ^ D. Ryan, p. 191
  33. ^ D. Ryan, p. 195
  34. ^ O’Leary Vol I, p. 252 & 259
  35. ^ O’Leary, Vol II p. 144-5
  36. ^ O’Leary, Vol I p. 262
  37. ^ O’Leary, Vol II p. 168-9
  38. ^ Campbell, p. 58-9
  39. ^ Breslin would go on to play a leading part in the Catalpa rescue of Fenian prisoners in the British penal colony of Western Australia
  40. ^ Ó Broin, pg. The Catalpa rescue was the escape in 1876, of six Fenian prisoners from what was then the British Penal colony of Western Australia 26-7
  41. ^ O’Leary, Vol II, p. 198
  42. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  43. ^ McGee, p. 35
  44. ^ Ua Cellaigh, pp. 223-27
  45. ^ Full text of Kickham Speech
  46. ^ Ua Cellaigh, pp. 223-27
  47. ^ D. Ryan, p. 350
  48. ^ D. Ryan, p. 350
  49. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9
  50. ^ O’Leary, Vol II p. 265
  51. ^ D. Ryan, p. 350
  52. ^ O’Sullivan, p. 347-9

Sources

External references

Preceded by
James Francis Xavier O'Brien		 President of the
Irish Republican Brotherhood
1873-1882		 Succeeded by
John O'Connor
James Francis Xavier ( J F X) O'Brien (13 or 16 October 1828 was an Irish nationalist Fenian revolutionary The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic Republic" in the mid nineteenth John O'Connor may refer to Father John O'Connor (1870-1952 British priest John J
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