Thompson’s Notes on the Land League

Notes from the diary of John Norris Thompson, Bridge Cottage

In 1847 a Repeal meeting was held at the Green Hill between Carn and Malin. Many thousands came from distant parts of the county. The soldiers who were sent to the meeting were accommodated in the Workhouse then just completed and they were the first who slept in it.

General election, Summer 1852 – tenant right candidate Campbell Johnstone contested against Sir Edmund Hayes and Tom Connolly. All Inishowen voted at Buncrana. In Carn too there was some excitement and Ned Kearney having been ejected from his house in Carn for no payment of rent (four years being, I believe, due). The front of the house was covered with calico bearing the inscription in huge letters “This was once a happy home. Look at it now. Vote for Tenant Right”. Campbell Johnstone was beaten and his election bills were not paid which caused great disgust.

In 1880 the Land League became very troublesome and Patrick Crampsie, who had served his time with John Doherty as draper’s assistant took the most prominent place though probably abler heads directed in secret the action of the local association.

In 1881 a detachment of the 16 came to the Workhouse on the 1^st January.

 “Duty Days” ended 1881 – two days from each tenant and two days of his horse if he had one, actually part of the rent.

30^th January, 1885, Nationalist meeting on Carn Street. O’Brien and Redmond speakers