The Invincibles
The Phoenix Park Assassinations and the Conspiracy that Shook an Empire
Published on 25. February 2019
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-78849-060-3 (ISBN)
Description
'Britain in Ireland is a beast exceeding terrible; his feet and claws are of iron,' The Invincibles
In an Ireland still reeling from years of famine, with tenant farmers being evicted and left to starve for their inability to pay exorbitant rents, revolutionary fervour was growing. An inner circle of the IRB was formed, a secret assassination squad within a secret society - the Irish National Invincibles. Their mission was to strike at the heart of British Imperial power, to kill the figureheads of Ireland's oppressors.
On their way home from a triumphal parade through the city, Lord Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Burke, two of the heads of the establishment, were set upon and stabbed to death in the Phoenix Park. These killings would shake the Empire to its core, and shape the following decades of Irish history.
In an Ireland still reeling from years of famine, with tenant farmers being evicted and left to starve for their inability to pay exorbitant rents, revolutionary fervour was growing. An inner circle of the IRB was formed, a secret assassination squad within a secret society - the Irish National Invincibles. Their mission was to strike at the heart of British Imperial power, to kill the figureheads of Ireland's oppressors.
On their way home from a triumphal parade through the city, Lord Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Burke, two of the heads of the establishment, were set upon and stabbed to death in the Phoenix Park. These killings would shake the Empire to its core, and shape the following decades of Irish history.
Reviews / Votes
well-researched ... readable ... almost a crime novel * Tirconaill Tribune * terrific. Kenna has married his deep, exhaustive scholarship of the subject with his natural storytelling skills to produce a hugely authoritative work that should be a magnet to the popular reader and the specialist * History Ireland * this book is Kenna's fitting testament * Irish Times * a detailed and highly readable book ... His deep knowledge of Republicanism of this period is reflected in the book ... Readers already familiar with the subject will find new insight for Kenna provides fresh understanding, based on detailed research * The Pensive Quill * a detailed and highly readable book [from] one of the specialists of Fenianism and late Victorian Republicanism .. Readers already familiar with the subject will find new insight for Kenna provides fresh understanding, based on detailed research -- Dr. Dieter Reinisch * An Spreach Magazine * well-researched study is sober in judgement and rich in detail -- Irish ExaminerMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Dublin
Ireland
Illustrations
90 Halftones, black and white; 1 Index
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
616 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78849-060-3 (9781788490603)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2019
O'Brien Press Ltd
€12.99
Available for download
Persons
Shane Kenna was a Doctor of modern Irish history with an interest in late Victorian and Edwardian Irish nationalism. He was a regular speaker at international academic conferences, a media presence with Newstalk Radio, Near FM, BBC Radio 4 and published author who wrote for Irish Academic Press, The O'Brien Press, History Ireland, the BBC History Magazine and Kilmainham Tales.
Shane lectured at Trinity College, Dublin and Saor Ollscoil na hEireann University and also designed modules on Irish history for the American College, Arcadia University, as well as organising and managing several courses on Modern History.
He died in February 2017.
RUAN O'DONNELL is head of the History Department at the University of Limerick & the official historian of the Robert Emmet Association. He has written for The Irish Times and several historical publications.
Shane lectured at Trinity College, Dublin and Saor Ollscoil na hEireann University and also designed modules on Irish history for the American College, Arcadia University, as well as organising and managing several courses on Modern History.
He died in February 2017.
RUAN O'DONNELL is head of the History Department at the University of Limerick & the official historian of the Robert Emmet Association. He has written for The Irish Times and several historical publications.
Content
Remembering Dr Shane Kenna - Liz Gillis page 9
Introduction - Dr Ruan O'Donnell 11
1 Background to the Invincibles 15
2 The Genesis of the Invincibles 47
3 The Phoenix Park Assassinations 66
4 The Investigation 78
5 Cracks in the Conspiracy 118
THE TRIALS
5 Joe Brady 160
6 Daniel Curley 173
7 Timothy Kelly 181
8 Michael Fagan 187
9 'Skin the Goat' - James Fitzharris 195
10 Thomas Caffrey & Patrick Delaney 202
11 Edward O'Brien & Peter Doyle 208
12 James Mullet, William Moroney & Laurence Hanlon 210
13 Timothy Kelly 214
14 Joseph Mullet 230
The Executions
15 Joe Brady 242
16 Daniel Curley 248
17 Michael Fagan 254
18 Thomas Caffrey 258
19 Timothy Kelly 262
THE Aftermath
20 Carey's Flight 270
21 The Reaction 281
22 The Execution of Patrick O'Donnell 299
Afterword - Aidan Lambert 307
Editor's Note 309
Endnotes 311
Acknowledgements 323
Index 325
Introduction - Dr Ruan O'Donnell 11
1 Background to the Invincibles 15
2 The Genesis of the Invincibles 47
3 The Phoenix Park Assassinations 66
4 The Investigation 78
5 Cracks in the Conspiracy 118
THE TRIALS
5 Joe Brady 160
6 Daniel Curley 173
7 Timothy Kelly 181
8 Michael Fagan 187
9 'Skin the Goat' - James Fitzharris 195
10 Thomas Caffrey & Patrick Delaney 202
11 Edward O'Brien & Peter Doyle 208
12 James Mullet, William Moroney & Laurence Hanlon 210
13 Timothy Kelly 214
14 Joseph Mullet 230
The Executions
15 Joe Brady 242
16 Daniel Curley 248
17 Michael Fagan 254
18 Thomas Caffrey 258
19 Timothy Kelly 262
THE Aftermath
20 Carey's Flight 270
21 The Reaction 281
22 The Execution of Patrick O'Donnell 299
Afterword - Aidan Lambert 307
Editor's Note 309
Endnotes 311
Acknowledgements 323
Index 325