Denny Lane Papers Descriptive List (Ref. U611)

From the collections of Cork City and County Archives Service.

Cork City and County Archives Descriptive List

Identity Statement Reference Code:

IE CCCA/U611

Denny Lane Papers

Title:

1833 - 1895

Dates:

Level of description: Fonds / Item Extent: 154 items

Context Creator(s): Lane, Denny (b1818-d1895) Archival History The Denny Lane Papers were deposited in the Archives in 2003 by Lane’s granddaughters Ms. C. Heald, Ms. A. Roche and Ms. P. Coopmann. The papers were formerly in the possession of Mr. Denis Lane McDonnell, son of Denny Lane.

Biographical History

Lane attended Porter and Hamblin’s School in Cork (U611/1 – U611/2) and received a scholarship to study at Trinity College Dublin and was later called to the Bar (U611/62). Involved in Daniel O’Connell’s repeal and reform movements and with the Trinity College Dublin Historical Society, Lane associated with such figures as Thomas Davis, Michael Joseph Barry, John Blake Dillon and Charles Gavan Duffy, and began writing, mainly poetry, for The Nation newspaper, usually under the name ‘Donal na Glanna’. Lane is particularly remembered for penning the lyrics to the ballad ‘Carrigdhoun’. Lane returned to Cork in 1843 to assist in the running of the Glynstown Distillery, Riverstown, County Cork, which he inherited along with substantial lands following the death of his father in 1845 (U611/17).

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Arrested and imprisoned under the Habeas Corpus (Suspension) Act 1848 and held for 4 months in Cork City Gaol. Following his 1848 débacle, Lane mostly retired from active politics for over 2 decades to concentrate instead on his businesses and work with the Gas Company, although he served briefly as a Town Councillor for the North East Ward of Cork City in 1854-55. Secretary and Resident Engineer for the Cork Gas Company from about 1865 to his death in 1895. The death in 1872 of Lane’s friend and political ally John Francis Maguire M.P. lead him to re-enter politics by expressing his support for his close friend, Home Rule candidate Joseph Ronayne (U611/55). In the 1874 election, Lane continued to support Ronayne, even against his old comrade John Mitchel. At this time he joined the Irish Home Rule League (U611/56). Lane delivered a noted funeral oration on the death of Ronayne in 1876, which it has been suggested may have been studied by Padraig Pearse for his own key oration at the grave of O’Donovan Rossa at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, in 1915. Lane stood in the election for Ronayne’s former seat, however the popular vote was split with a fellow Home Ruler and the seat went to a conservative candidate (U611/57). Following this, Lane removed himself permanently from politics. Lane, in common with his contemporaries, had a dream of improving Ireland through industry and had referred to the need for a revival of manufacture, education, and political independence in his speeches during the 1840’s (U611/42). He was instrumental in the amalgamation of various Cork distilleries under the title of the Cork Distillers’ Company in the late 1860’s, and was a major organiser of the 1883 Cork Exhibition (U611/97). In that year he also established the Silversprings Starch Works at Knocknahorgan, Glanmire, County Cork which remained open until the late 1920’s (U611/99). In the later decades of his life, aside from his work with the Gas Company, Lane remained active in business as deputy chairman of the Macroom Railway Company and as a director of the Cork Blackrock and Passage Railway Company. He was also a Member of Cork Harbour Board, where he represented brewing and distilling interests. Lane was extensively involved in the artistic and cultural life of Cork City, at one time or another associated with the Schools of Art, Design and Science, the Cork Literary & Scientific Society, Cork Catholic Young Mens’ Society, Cork Naturalists’ Field club, the Cork Cuverian Society, and the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Content & Structure Scope and Content Lane's early life is documented in the collection only by 2 school report books, from Porter and Hamblin’s School in Cork, showing his consistently excellent marks in most subjects (U611/1 – U611/2).

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The collection is of particular interest for those studying the nationalist political and cultural activity in the mid-19th century, especially The Nation newspaper and the Young Ireland movement. Contains a significant amount of political correspondence related to some of the nationalist figures and events of the 1840’s and later on in the 19th century. Lane’s friendship and political association with Thomas Davis is documented by letters to Lane in 1843/1844, mainly concerning content for The Nation, and written in a most familiar tone (U611/6 - /9, /11). Also present are letters written to Davis by other figures, such as Michael Doheny (U611/5) and Thomas Wallis, (U611/4) which Lane may have acquired for study. Correspondence of Lane’s cousin, Daniel Owen Madden, includes a letter mentioning a visit by Daniel O’Connell (U611/13) and another from Thomas Wallis concerning a publication of the life of Thomas Davis (U611/14). Lane’s earlier association with Charles Gavan Duffy, is documented by a few letters from 1842 to 1849, relating to The Nation, the Irish Confederation and the Young Ireland movement, including the disagreements and splits in the Repeal movement in 1846-1847 (U611/21) and following the period of the government's suppression of the Confederate Clubs (U611/23). The 1848 revolutions in Europe sparked much excitement in Ireland, as evidenced by a letter from Duffy to Lane in March 1848 (U611/22). Lane resigned from the Repeal Association in September 1846 (U611/40), with the rest of the Young Irelanders, and in October John Mitchel (later, publisher of the United Irishman) asked Lane to contribute to a section of The Nation newspaper with the title ‘Young Ireland’ (U611/42). Clues as to Lane’s political activities in 1846 may be found in his correspondence with Sir David Roche, accused of mistreating his tenants by Lane in a public statement (U611/35). The collection contains some correspondence from William Smith O’Brien, M.P. mainly concerning O’Brien’s impending visit to Cork with Thomas Francis Meagher, and the organisation of the Irish Confederation in Cork and nationally (U611/26, /27). Of particular note is a letter from Denny Lane in April 1848 describing the political situation in Cork (U611/28). The sense of crisis in Ireland during the Great Famine in 1847 is evidenced in a letter from O’Brien to Michael Joseph Barry (U611/25). The remainder of the 1840’s political correspondence includes one or two items from various figures, including Richard O’Gorman (U611/39, /48), T. Devin Reilly (U611/43), Thomas D’Arcy McGee (U611/45), Terence Bellew McManus (U611/46), Thomas Mathew Halpin (U611/49), Thomas England (U611/50), Richard Deasy (U611/51), and John Martin (U611/54). These items mainly relate to the organisation of the Confederate Clubs. A few much later letters show Lane’s ongoing contact with Gavan Duffy, mainly in connection with the latter’s literary work on the Young Irelanders (U611/58 – U611/60). The Collection also contains material of a more personal nature, such as, a list of members of the Munster Bar (U611/62), a letter from a friend concerning a fishing trip on the River Lee (U611/65), a letter from Eugene Curry of the Royal Irish Academy concerning the genealogy of the O’Liathain family (U611/66), and also some draft notes and writings by Lane (U611/69). Also found are a small number of lyrics which document Lane’s great interest in poetry and music, including lyrics of ‘The Lament of

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the Irish Maiden, A Brigade Ballad’, also known as ‘Carrigdhoun’ (U611/72b). Also found are printed garlands of song lyrics from pre-1850 (U611/76 - /79). Denny Lane’s extensive business activities are not well documented in the collection, apart from a settlement with his creditors in 1855 (U611/81), and a Patent for an invention to improve gas production in 1865 (U611/82). Lane's extensive involvement in the artistic and cultural life of Cork is not well documented in the collection, although some items hint at Lane’s cultural and literary interests (U611/9, /125). The collection contains a large amount of correspondence for the period 1881-1893 concerning his work as Secretary and Resident Engineer for the Cork Gas Company. of the Gas Works (U611/104, /114) and Lane’s visits abroad, where he updated his knowledge of the latest gas and electrical technology (U611/83, 105). The material includes mention of Thomas Alva Edison’s electrical equipment (U611/94, /110). Lane also gives a few accounts of his speeches to the Institute of Gas Engineers (U611/85, /128). Also found in the collection is a small amount of correspondence relating to Lane’s wife, Mary Francis. She may have shared Denny Lane’s noted wit (U611/46). Mary received number of letters from Charles Gavan Duffy in Nice, France, after the death in November 1895 of her ‘generous and gifted husband’, of whom Duffy writes he ‘never met a more honorable or upright man. He was one of a class not growing plenty in Ireland…who thought always first of the country, and last of himself...’ (U611/151).

Arrangement Main Sections (See Table of Contents for more detail) A. SCHOOLING B. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE (i) Thomas Davis

(ii) Daniel Owen Madden (iii) Charles Gavan Duffy (iv) William Smith O’Brien (v) Relating to Imprisonment (1848) (vi) Regarding the David Roche Affair (1846) (vii) Other Correspondence relating to 1840’s politics (viii) Later Material C. PERSONAL MATERIAL, WRITINGS AND LYRICS D. BUSINESSMAN E. SECRETARY AND RESIDENT ENGINEER, CORK GAS COMPANY (i) Correspondence from Denny Lane (ii) Other Correspondence to J.O’Mahony, Cork Gas Company. (iii) Mary Francis Lane, Wife

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Accruals Some accrual of material is expected.

Conditions of Access & Use

Access : Open by appointment to those holding a current readers ticket. Language : English Finding Aids: Descriptive List

Allied Materials:

Related material:

CCCA: U15b Hewitt Correspondence Cork Gas Company Records Other locations: MSS relating to Charles Gavan Duffy, William Smith O’Brien and other nationalist figures in the National Library of Ireland and in the Royal Irish Academy

Publication Note

Cronin, Maura, ‘Denny Lane’, Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society , Vol.100 (1995) pp1-15 and Vol.101 (1996) pp143-157 Obituary of Denny Lane M.A. B.L., Cork Examiner , 30 November 1895 Text of Funeral Oration by Denny Lane at grave of Joseph Ronayne M.P. Cork Examiner , 12 May 1876 ‘A Soul Came Into Ireland: Thomas Davis, 1814-1845’, Moloney, John Neylon, Geography Publications (1995).

Archivists Note:

Brian McGee

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Archivist, CCCA Jan. 2005 and Sept. 2010

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Contents

SECTION A: SCHOOLING (1833-1835) (2 ITEMS).........................................9

SECTION B: POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE (1840-1849, 1873-1894) (59 ITEMS) ………………………………………………………………………...10 (i) Thomas Davis (1840-1844) (9 items).................................................................................................... 10 (ii) Daniel Owen Madden (1842-1848) (4 items) ...................................................................................... 13 (iii) Charles Gavan Duffy (1842-1849) (9 items)...................................................................................... 15 (iv) William Smith O’Brien (1847- 1848) (5 items).................................................................................. 18 (v) Relating to Imprisonment (1848) (4 items)......................................................................................... 21 (vi) Regarding the David Roche Affair (1846) (5 items).......................................................................... 22 (vii) Other Correspondence relating to 1840’s politics (16 items).......................................................... 24 Richard O’Gorman (1846) (1 item)......................................................................................................... 24 Denny Lane (1846) (1 item).................................................................................................................... 24 J.M. Ray (1846) (1 item)......................................................................................................................... 24 John Mitchel (1846) (1 item)................................................................................................................... 25 T. Devin Reilly (1846) (1 item)............................................................................................................... 25 Motion for Meeting of [Cork Repealers] [1846] (1 item)........................................................................ 26 Thomas Darcy McGee (1848) (1 item).................................................................................................... 26 T.B. McManus (1848) (1 item)................................................................................................................ 27 Policing of Young Ireland Movement (1848) (1 item)............................................................................ 27 Richard O’Gorman (1848) (1 item)......................................................................................................... 28 Thomas Mathew Halpin (1848) (1 item)................................................................................................. 29 Thomas England (1848) (1 item)............................................................................................................. 29 R. Deasy (1848) (1 item)......................................................................................................................... 30 Portion of draft speech or letter, and declaration (1848) (2 items).......................................................... 30 John Martin (1849) (1 item)..................................................................................................................... 31 (viii) Later Material.................................................................................................................................... 32 Isaac Butt (1873) (1 item)........................................................................................................................ 32 Denny Lane Home Rule Membership (1875) (1 item)............................................................................ 32 Charles Gavan Duffy (1879) (3 items).................................................................................................... 33 Michael Davitt (1894) (1 item)................................................................................................................ 34 C. PERSONAL MATERIAL, WRITINGS AND LYRICS.....................................35 The Munster Bar (1839) (1 item)............................................................................................................. 35 Denny Lane – Draft Writings (c.1840-1850) (1 item)............................................................................. 35 Francis Woodley (1842) (1 item)............................................................................................................. 36 Eugene Curry (1844) (1 item).................................................................................................................. 36 Writings by Lane (?c.1840s- 1860s) (4 items)......................................................................................... 36 Poetry and Lyrics (?1840s-?1870s) (12 items)........................................................................................ 38

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D. BUSINESSMAN (1855 – 1865) (2 ITEMS)....................................................42

E. SECRETARY AND RESIDENT ENGINEER, CORK GAS COMPANY (1881- C.1895) (72 ITEMS)............................................................................................43 (i) Correspondence from Denny Lane (1881-1893) (48 items)................................................................ 43 (ii) Correspondence to J.O’Mahony, Cork Gas Company. (1879-1894) (14 items).............................. 56 (iii) Mary Francis Lane, Wife (1881-c.1895) (10 items)........................................................................... 59 From MF Lane to J. O’Mahony, Cork Gas Company [1880s] (6 items)................................................. 59 From Charles Gavan Duffy to Mary F. Lane (1895) (3 items)................................................................ 60 Outline of Life of Denny Lane (After 1895) (1 item).............................................................................. 62

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U611/

List of Items

Section A:

Schooling (1833-1835) (2 items)

1 20 August 1833 – 28 June 1834 School Report Book for Denis M. Lane (Denny Lane) at Mr Hamblin’s and Doctor Porter’s School, South Mall, Cork. Contains graded results by day of the week in subjects such as Greek Testament, Lucian, Homer, Xenophon, Latin, Terence, Juvenal, Livy, Virgil, Horace, Exercise, Euclid (Geometry), Algebra, History, Writing. Also records Conduct, Morning Attendance and After Breakfast Attendance. Note at end of each page, such as ‘N.B – 9 is the highest degree of merit’. Lane receives a ‘9’ or an ‘8’ for all items. Also recorded are holidays, such as, ‘Mayors Day’ in October. With Various jottings and sketches on inside covers depicting portraits, mathematical formulae, notes. 42pp 2 18 August 1834 – 25 April 1835 School Report Book, as U611/1. Enclosed is a certificate of premium to Lane for superior answering in Roman History public examinations at the Classical, Mathematical and Commercial Academy, Wellington Place, St.Patrick’s Hill, Cork; signed by Mr Henderson, Principal. 52pp & 1 item

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Section B:

Political Correspondence (1840-1849,

1873-1894) (59 items)

(i) Thomas Davis (1840-1844) (9 items)

3 6 December 1840 Letter, from J.R. Atkins, 7 Charlotte Quay, Cork, to Thomas Davis, 61 Baggot Street, Dublin. ‘It being past 12 & headaches at work I cannot write the…critique on your pamphlet…’. Atkins writes that his perusal

of it will “make Mr Atkins a Radical’ and ‘…with many of your sentiments I agree, upon others I ponder and the rest we will both condemn by and by’. Congratulates Davis on praise from ‘the brotherhood of your Society’. Signed ‘your affectionate cousin’.

4 17 May 1842 Letter, from Thomas Wallis, 29 College [College Green, Dublin] to Thomas Davis, 61 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. Wallis says he has only just received Davis’ note and manuscript. He does not think there will be room for more than the 2 chapters Davis sent, or that the map will be done this month. He is glad to hear Davis is ‘…so much recovered as to anticipate a speedy renewal of your acquaintance with the open air…’. Mentions Roebuck, a ‘clever little terrier’, who has redeemed himself from the stain of his ‘one shilling-gallery’ tomfoolery. Postscript mentions article in Blackwood for January 7, 1839 containing some ‘admissions & anticipations’. 4pp 5 18 May 1843 Letter, from Michael Doheny, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, to ‘My Dear Davis’ (Thomas Osbourne Davis), 61 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. ‘If you come down, which I sincerely hope, you will abide with me…’. Asks why Duffy (Charles Gavan Duffy) does not publish his rhymes. Doheny says he had ‘concocted an epistle to the Queen from a

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Tipperary man’ but could not finish it. Compliments Davis on his last publication, ‘if I speak I’ll make its first sentence my text- Men of Ireland be steady’. He is writing the letter while presiding at a meeting of the Board of Guardians, ‘How think you Sir James would digest that, and every Guardian round me is a repeal Warden…’. 1p 6 6 July 1843 Letter, from Thomas Davis, 61 Baggot Street, Dublin, to Denny Lane, esquire. ‘Are you too full of cider to notice an article in the Packet against purchasing English works for the Art Union? Either you were absurd in what you said in the Nation article or you were not. If you were hold your tongue…If you were not write some qualified rational sagacious & short proof thereof…If you do so say the cruellest thing your strict conscience will allow you of MacManus and slaughter Partridge’s happy Lucifer- the calf…’. Davis says he is ‘almost in love with that darling blue-eyed girl of Fishers’ and wishes she would spend summer with him, leaving his friends to their ‘desolate perambulations’. Smith O’Brien (William Smith O’Brien) ‘has made a hit. His voice & delivery are I’m told, feeble gentlemanly & wretched…’. Relates that ‘We had about 100,000 people at Donnybrook (County Dublin) which makes me think your Cork story of 500,000 was a quintuple lie…’. He is in a ‘very die away lovely mood…If I don’t get out of it soon I’ll fall in love or fight a duel’. Remarks on the ‘fine sentiment people talk about Fawcett…Pah ! wasn’t that as good a way as a man could die in time of peace’. 4pp 7 [1843] Fragment of a letter from ‘T.D.’ (Thomas Davis) to Denny Lane. ‘Plunket or when will you? Let me know this. The Boyhood Years Wd run to 6 pages of music & is not a ballad so it will not be in the spirit.’ Asks Lane to write some music, ‘I want you to grind some airs of Bunting (unused by Moore) into Barry’s head & make him versify to them…’. His life is an ‘odd mixture of hard work & active idleness…We miss you sadly…’. 2pp

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8 1843 Letter from Thomas Davis to ‘Dear Lane’, Denny Lane, Cork. ‘The songs for which the initial sketches will first be needed are Erin our Own, The West’s Asleep, Fag a Bealach, the Hymn of Freedom, The Volunteer’s Song & The Union. Pray speak to Watson about them…’. Gives a reminder of other matters outstanding such as ‘Mem, to send me 10s your own subscription…’. Davis relates certain ideas concerning illustrations for a piece on Owen Roe such as ‘First Verse English official plotting or arranging the poisoning…’ and ‘8 shall we venture to shadow a patriot chief on his ruined country and grieving…’. (Letter incomplete). 4pp 9 1843 Letter, from Thomas Davis to ‘Dear Lane’, Denny Lane, Cork. Mentions ‘two figures from Canova’ in the University for September ‘engraved on stone as rapidly as they could have been sketched on paper…You should get some Cork men to this, If your city wont be a vigorous politician let it at least be a graceful & accomplished Sybarite & not a Yankee sensualist…’ Asks Lane if he will ever effect his Hall project, ‘For God’s sake get that & Repeal Reading Rooms up…’. Notes that OC [Daniel O’Connell] concurs in this system but dislikes any general rule. Asks Lane to bring ‘piles of Irish airs (new old ones)’ with him in November. 3pp 10 24 January 1844 Letter, from Thomas Davis, 61 Baggot Street, Dublin, to ‘My dear Armstrong’. Contains questions concerning Lord Plunkett and Robert Emmet which Armstrong has then answered in the spaces provided by Davis. Questions concern Lord Plunkett’s speech on Emmet’s trial (1803) such as the possible acquaintance of Plunkett with Emmet, and whether Plunkett pressed Crown’s evidence on the insistence of Attorney General O’Grady because he ‘held the Junior’s brief on that occasion and was professionally bound to obey his senior’. To Davis’ question ‘Why did he make so bitter a speech ?’ Armstrong replies that, the speech was not ‘…so much a personal attack upon Emmet as upon

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U611/

French revolutionary and republican principles’. Davis requires ‘as accurate answers as possible’. Armstrong provides a copy of a letter by Emmet on the morning of his execution (20 September 1803) to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, William Wickham, in order ‘to prove that Emmet entirely acquitted Plunkett and the Irish administration generally of all harshness towards himself’. Quotations are given of notes which Wickham appended to Emmet’s letter ‘without which he refuses to allow publication’, such as, that Emmet conducted his defence in relation to the general principles on which Ireland was governed by England and such as, that Emmet asked to be temporarily allowed to return from his place of execution in order to write the letter ‘in a firm and steady handwriting’ which was a ‘full free…expression of his forgiveness of his enemies…’. Armstrong notes that this is a most valuable testimony to the noble spirit of Emmet. Concludes with details of a successful libel case taken by Plunkett regarding publication of a fake quotation from Emmet’s speech imputing Plunkett’s character. 10pp 11 20 July 1844 Letter, from Thomas Davis, 67 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin to Denny Lane, Sidney Place, Cork. Encloses ‘an air by WEH’ which Davis asks Lane to give to Barry (Michael Joseph Barry) who will write words to it. Davis hopes Lane and Barry are working hard. Says he has just got the proof of the cover for the Spirit of the Nation. Asks Lane to write telling him how he and his father are. 1p

(ii) Daniel Owen Madden (1842-1848) (4 items)

12 23 February 1842 Letter from Daniel Owen Madden, 1 Hamilton Row, Dublin, to ‘My Dear Denny’, Denny Lane, Barrister-at-law, 4 Sydney Terrace, Cork. Hopes to be on the way to London tomorrow evening and was delayed by a tremendous snowstorm. McCullogh stands ‘higher than ever’ in his opinion and is afraid ‘that I would have been at fault upon a review of the transaction’. Madden wishes he could show Lane McCullogh’s letters which ‘redound in to his honour and to the …greatness of his

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views with regard to me’. Asks Lane to counter any impression that he injured McCullogh’s character, as ‘even when I was smarting under financial injuries…I was not slow to recall his past kindness…’. 3pp 13 25 October 1846 Letter, from Daniel Owen Madden, Fermoy, county Cork, to ‘My Dear Denny’, Denny Lane Esquire, 4 Sidney Terrace, Cork. In reply to Lane’s kind note he says he would like to meet Mr. Meagher, but is unable to go, ‘Of his talents I am a great admirer- some of his speeches are worthy of Grattan’. Gives an account of his current activities, spending a very quiet time writing a little every day, but is ‘starving for want of standard English authors’. Asks Lane about his own library, mentioning Swift, Scott, Brother Murphy and Elton’s translation of the Odyssey. Madden is unsure of what he will do next year and has had no contact with Duffy (Charles Gavan Duffy). Recounts visit of O’Connell (Daniel O Connell), who was very ill having ‘messed too heartily on a quantity of buttered toast…He was very alarmed about himself- he apprehends that his heart is diseased…’. Madden quotes a witty remark made by O’Connell to E.B. Roche, who was not coming to the meeting concerning Roche’s excuses ‘when ever you’re wanted for any public purpose…’. Mentions that all the mail coaches are changed. Madden’s [wife] Ellen expected Lane on the day of the Railway meeting but ‘because you were expected you did not come… Johnny cries out “It’s Denny!” when he hears a knock and often mentions his stay at Sidney Place’. 7pp 14 21 June 1848 Letter from [Thomas Wallis] 78 York Road, Lambeth, London, to ‘My Dear Madden’, (Daniel Owen Madden). Concerns Madden’s writing of Thomas Davis’ life ‘a man so little known and so prematurely cut off’. The author thinks it should be published by a Dublin house. Asks if there is much in the letters (by Davis) and recommends that it be published in 2 volumes. Says that Davis is ‘extraordinarily little known in England’, while the names of most of the other Young Irelander’s have lately become familiar to the English, but Davis was gone before the party which he formed had attained recognised importance.

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Mentions the poems of Davis and the marking of previously published volumes by Charles Gavan Duffy. 4pp 15 c. August - September 1848 ‘Extract of letter from Deasy’ to Daniel Owen Madden. He reiterates the point of his last letter, hoping the government would allow Denny Lane to leave prison upon the sole condition of his travelling upon the continent for 2 or 3 months. Deasy thinks this would be more agreeable to Lane and that the government may require a termination of his connection with the (Repeal) Clubs which has already occurred de facto. Some consideration is needed about the substance and form of the arrangement in order to secure Lane’s release and future action in politics. Wishes to speak with McCullogh who has great regard for Lane. ‘As to what WP may think or say I attach very little importance to it.’ (See also U611/30 and /50) 3pp

(iii) Charles Gavan Duffy (1842-1849) (9 items)

16 3 July 1842 Letter, from George Gavan Duffy (Editor, ‘The Nation’) to Thomas Davis, 61 Baggot Street, Dublin. ‘I had a letter from our friend Dillion (John Blake Dillion , b.1816, co-founder of ‘The Nation’) promising to send me the Prospectus but it has never reached me…’. Asks Davis to request Dillion to forward it. 1p 17 11 July 1845 Letter, from Charles Gavan Duffy to ‘My Dear Lane’, Denny Lane, Cork, offering condolences on the death of Lane’s father Maurice Lane. Wishes to cheer Lane ‘under a loss that cannot be supplied, by convincing you how many true friends you have to share your feelings.’ 2pp 18 23 January 1846

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Letter, from Charles Gavan Duffy, to Denny Lane, Sydney Parade, Cork. He chastises Lane for not writing to him since Lane returned to Cork. ‘Barry has told you of our Great Design – does it not warm you ?’ Lane, he says, is ‘the only man in Munster whose aid we ask or desire – John Dillion for Connaught, John O’Hagan for Ulster, John Pigot for Leinster and Denny Lane for Munster’. Duffy expects Lane to sign a solemn covenant to that effect. Mentions ‘the promised volume’ for the Library of Ireland and Ballads for The Nation, and that the library is tolerably provided for 12 months, ‘…but then you must come to the rescue...’. There has been a letter from Dillion ‘who is improving apace’. Hopes Lane will not be tempted to go into Parliament at present as ‘…what can a man do there now. By and Bye the good time will come – but you must wait for it’. 3pp 19 27 April 1846 Letter, from Charles Gavan Duffy to Denny Lane, 4 Sydney Place, Cork. ‘I have got your books from…Davis…’. He understands that Madden is in Cork, and asks Lane to say to Madden that he trusts ‘nothing has happened to interfere with the good understanding that I hoped existed between us…’ Asks Lane of his promised doings, ‘the time to do them is now before you enter public life – now, now, now ‘. Mentions his efforts to get a horse ‘as you did not get me a horse when O’Gorman was with you’. Expects a definite answer on the subject of ‘our Northern Excursion’. Postscript, ‘Davis’ poems are just out – beautifully printed, and carefully edited’. 4pp 20 1 June 1846 Letter, from Charles Gavan Duffy, to ‘My Dear Lane’, Denny Lane, Sydney Parade, Cork. ‘I wrote to you so long ago that the date may have been lost in the Fire of London…’. Concerns Lane’s volumes of Parliamentary Debates which Duffy has sent to Barry, who will bring them to Cork. Duffy queries as to a convenient time ‘for our fellow tourists to truck down on the North’, asking Lane to write to him via The Nation office. Continues, ‘We are living in a whirlwind here- but it is fine training for our future…and I wish you were in the midst of it’.

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He hopes Madden is better and says he wrote Lane about him ‘but could extract no reply from you. Are you dead and if so why did you die ?’. 4pp 21 19 December 1846 Letter, from ‘CGD’ (Charles Gavan Duffy), to Denny Lane, Sydney Parade, Cork. ‘My dear Lane. There is no denying you are a terrible scamp – but… I forgive you’. Says they have done exactly in the Nation as Lane recommended before Lane’s advice arrived. Duffy continues that Barry’s letter arrived after the first edition of the Nation was printed and that he will print it next week, but he considers it bad policy as ‘we have OC [Daniel O’Connell] now in the wrong – let us keep him there’. Duffy is concerned that ‘some Seceders might go back without getting reforms…Let Young Ireland like Wordsworth’s cloud “move together or not move at all”’. Requests Lane to send speedily a paper for “The Irish Party” which is sadly neglected by all Volunteers. Asks Lane to show this letter to Barry, as Mitchel is away and he doesn’t have time to write to Barry. Concludes ‘The verses by Brennan are weak…but I have seen good things from him in the Southern Reporter…’. With signet seal of Duffy. 4pp 22 29 March 1848 Printed circular letter from Charles Gavan Duffy, Chairman of Sub- Committee, Irish Confederation, to Denny Lane Esquire, Cork. States that the Council of the Confederation are of the opinion that a ‘speedy election of the proposed Council of Three Hundred has become necessary’, in order to provide the country with some organ which could ‘speak on behalf of the entire people’, and to negotiate ‘our liberties with England, if the example of European Events has yet awakened her to the necessity of concession – and if not…to enforce our rights’. Enquires whether a joint Meeting of Repealers could be held in the local district, ‘The country is beginning to look to the Assembly with hope…and this feeling must not be let die away…’. 1p 23 20 April 1849

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Letter, from Charles Gavan Duffy to Denny Lane, 4 Sydney Place, Cork. ‘I have been learning wisdom is a hard school…It has shattered me, but…I will be fit for service again’. Tells Lane he will ‘plunge into Munster’ in a few weeks and they will have a talk ‘de omnibus’. He will not revive the Nation in the interval and hopes Lane will not be in Paris when he is in Cork. Says he has not seen Madden. Postscript ‘You have not utterly abandoned Irish music and her sister arts I trust. I do not detect your hand in the Province’. 2pp 24 2 October 1849 Letter, From Charles Gavan Duffy to Denny Lane, Sydney Place, Cork. Marked ‘Private’. ‘Dan Callaghan we hear is dead – can Butt be made his successor ?...’. tells Lane that until he is prepared to represent Cork ‘there is no man you ought to be better content with…’. Butt would be a creditable member, worth considering ‘ in the present state of our parliamentary party…’. Butt would also have the trustees to avoid a contest and make his return easier than anyone else’s. 3pp

(iv) William Smith O’Brien (1847- 1848) (5 items)

25 29 January 1847 Letter, from William Smith O’Brien, M.P., London, to ‘My Dear Barry’, Michael Joseph Barry Esquire, Blackrock, Cork. Concerns the Irish Distilling industry and the Irish Confederation. Thanks Barry for his ‘very useful’ letter and says he has taken exactly the same view regarding distilling from sugar and importation of Rum at a reduced rate of duty. He has twice spoken on the subject in the House (House of Commons) but some of his observations were not reported. He could not see any sympathy for Irish distillers in the House and from Irish members, except Dan O’Callaghan ‘ to whom I made a direct appeal’. A deputation of distillers is in London but he warns that the ‘Scotch will also move’ so he must plan to make some impression, although the Chancellor of the Exchequer is very resolute in his proposal. O’Brien

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asks Barry to ‘report to me fully the state of feeling in Cork regarding the Irish Confederation and local organisations. He suggests that the Confederation should hold a grand meeting in Cork before the end of the year ‘…but in these times of disaster the fewer meetings there are except upon subjects connected with the mitigation of the Famine the better…’. He hopes that they shall have a considerable number of adherents from Cork. 7pp 26 2 March 1848 Letter, from William Smith O’Brien (M.P.), London to ‘My dear Sir’, Denny Lane Esquire, 4 Sidney Place, Cork, enclosing ‘a note in reply to the letter of your friend’. He has recommended to our friends in Dublin to get up a general meeting of Repealers of all classes. Outlines 4 resolutions, firstly to adopt an address of congratulations to the French People, secondly an address to the Queen with a respectful demand for the granting of Repeal; thirdly to declare ‘unremitting hostility’ to every government opposed to repeal; fourthly an address to the Irish People for them to ’preserve order & repress outrage…’. O’Brien wishes that the Repealers of Cork would foment a combined movement with those in Dublin and requests that Lane let him know what are the views ‘generally entertained in improving the present state of affairs’. He hopes that the Cork Confederates will intervene in the Borough of Kinsale election, where two Englishmen ‘Lord N Clinton and B. Harvey ex MP’ are battling ‘without the intervention of any Irish party in their quarrel’. He suggests a deputation to Kinsale ‘to make reconnaissance to be followed if possible by a fight’. 8pp 27 23 April 1848 Letter, from William Smith O’Brien, Limerick to ‘My Dear Sir’, Denny Lane, Sidney Terrace, Cork. Concerns visit to the Repealers of Cork. Mentions a ‘soirée’ on Saturday night at which Meagher will attend. He will be proceeding to Cork and thence by way of Youghal and Dungarvan to Waterford. He does not wish to propose such a meeting ‘unless it be desired by the men of Cork’. Suggests holding a soirée in the evening as ‘the working classes will be enabled to take part in the demonstrations without interfering with their ordinary occupations…’.

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7pp

28 25 April 1848 Letter, from Denny Lane, 4 Sidney Place, Cork to ‘My dear Sir’ (William Smith O’Brien). ‘I will not now attempt to excuse myself for not having answered the letter…before your departure for France’ (Representatives of the Irish Confederation met the French Minister for Foreign Affairs in April 1848). Mentions a soirée to be held on the day of Smith’s visit to Cork. Lane says it is the wish of the people for him to attend a meeting in May and to entertain Smith and Mr Meagher. ‘Parties and politics are in a strange and anomalous condition here’ Lane continues, and Smith’s presence would be of service to the cause. Lane does not have the time to say any more but is anxious to give an explanation ‘of the state of opinion here’. He writes that ‘upon the principle’ they agree but regarding the conduct of the movement ‘…it would be uncandid of me to say that I quite coincide with much that has been done in the Confederation’. He looks forward to talking over the subject and the present state of the Post Office is not suited to any unreserved communication. ‘I will…endeavour to give you some explanation of my doubts for I can scarce call them more.’ 4pp 29 18 June 1848 Letter, from William Smith O’Brien, Cahermoyle, to Denny Lane, Imperial Hotel, Dublin. O’Brien writes that he has not forgotten the Cork Invitation but that he would prefer to attend a more general meeting which would ‘combine all classes of Repealers’, perhaps a meeting of the United Repealers, as ‘How many excellent Repealers would be reluctant to join in any demonstration complimentary to us’. He has made his wish known to the Secretary of the Citizen’s Club and that the ‘circumstances of the present hour seem to invite the People of Cork to express their adhesion to the Proposed League’ and the promotion of the re-union of all Repealers in one Confederacy. He wishes to make a personal inspection of the efficiency of the Club organisation in Cork. O’Brien asks Lane to show this letter to Meagher and concludes that he thinks the Confederates are more useful in the Provinces than in Dublin at present.

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8pp

(v) Relating to Imprisonment (1848) (4 items)

30 8 August 1848 Letter, from George [Climpton], 27 South Mall, Cork, to ‘My dear Lane’, Cork Prison. He made several efforts to see Lane but was precluded by the ‘strictness if the present regulations’. His object was to assure Lane ‘…that an old friend feels for you as a friend should in sunshine or storm…’. He has reason to believe that he has some influence with the authorities and if Lane was brought to trial ‘there are a few of us opposed to you in political views, but attached to you by stronger bonds…who will readily exert ourselves to serve you…no religion or political difference has the power of effacing from my mind the recollection of old and happier days…’. (See also U611/15 and /50) 2pp 31 September 1848 Draft letter from Denny Lane, Cork City Prison, to J.N. Redington Esquire, Dublin Castle. Contains a statement regarding his arrest and detention since 2 August 1848 under warrant of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act. He has waited patiently for a specific charge, and now demands to meet any such charges, or to be released from prison. He states that he is actively engaged in manufacturing and agricultural industry on an extensive scale and his imprisonment is limiting his ability to provide a very large number of persons employment in his neighbourhood and stopping his ‘personal superintendence’ of his business. Lane ‘cannot believe’ that the Government desires to hamper industry ‘particularly in such a year as the present’. He will enter into recognizances ‘to any amount that may be required’ to secure his release. 4pp 32 September 1848

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Further draft of U611/31

5pp

33 20 September 1848 Letter, from J.N. Redington, Dublin Castle, to Denny Lane Esquire, City Gaol, Cork. ‘Sir, In answer to your letter of yesterday…’. Informs Lane that he is detained under ‘Act II Victoria Cap.35’ concerned with treasonable practice. ‘His Excellency does not feel that he can direct any steps to be taken for your release’. (See also U611/31) 1p

(vi) Regarding the David Roche Affair (1846) (5 items)

34 22 March 1846 Letter, from Denny Lane to ‘My dear Ambrose’. Encloses a copy of Sir David Roche’s letter refuting a statement made by Lane at a public meeting. The letter asks to be permitted to refer Roche to Ambrose ‘…as it was on your authority that I made the statement in question…I make no doubt but that you will be able to explain it to his satisfaction…’. 1p 35 28 March 1846 Copy letter from Denny Lane, 4 Sidney Place, Cork, to Sir David Roche Bart. Regrets that he has not again addressed Roche on the subject of his letter of the 18 th concerning the accuracy of statements made by Lane. Lane encloses the names and addresses of those ‘on whose authority I relied…’. Lane says that how ever unpleased for him ‘…to give publicity to any statement that could ever be called into question…’, he is glad to have afforded Roche the opportunity ‘…of bringing to issue a charge that had…gained extensive circulation’. 2pp 36 29 March 1846

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Draft letter, from Denny Lane, Sidney Place, Cork, to ‘My dear Ambrose’, Cork. Lane has been waiting patiently for a reply to his letter (22 March) and having spoken to Tom Daly on the subject he supposes Ambrose’ silence ‘…gives consent to my request that I might be at liberty to refer Sir D Roche to you as my authority for the statement which he has called into question…’. Lane has forwarded a letter to Roche and now encloses a copy. Remarks that the newspaper report of his speech was ‘not literally correct, but…substantially so’. 2pp 37 31 March 1846 Letter from Sir David Roche, 10 Merrion Square North, Dublin, to Denny Lane, Cork, in reply to Lane’s letter of 29 March. Roche says he is favoured by Lane’s letter referring him to Dr. Ambrose of Newcastle (Co. Limerick) as Lane’s authority for a charge against Roche at a public meeting in Cork, but that he has already informed Lane that the statement was a fabrication, and that Lane should sift out the truth or falsehood of the charge. Roche remarks that this is not a ‘…candid or straight forward way to correct a misstatement…’ and will not give the public more confidence in Lane’s future speeches. He asks Lane to publicly state that Ambrose has not been able to support his statement and continues, ‘You will then Sir, have done me justice and corrected yourself with the public, and let your “Limerick Gentleman” get out of his gossip as well as he can’. 4pp 38 2 April 1846 Drafts of letter from Denny Lane, 4 Sidney Place, Cork to Sir David Roche. Acknowledges receipt of letter of 31 March. Lane has seen Roche’s letter to Mr Sugrue detailing Roche’s treatment of his tenants in Limerick and explaining how ‘injurious’ statements on Roche’s character as a landlord may have developed. Lane accounts for the delay in replying with the details of his informant Dr. Ambrose, ‘…I must say that I could not have adopted a more candid or straightforward course…’. 6pp

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(vii) Other Correspondence relating to 1840’s politics (16 items)

Richard O’Gorman (1846) (1 item)

39 23 January 1846 Letter, from Richard O’Gorman, ‘Library’, to Denny Lane, 4 Sidney Place, Cork. Says he has just been speaking to Nally who reports in the Roll but he found none deciding the point mentioned by Lane. He will enquire whether such a decision has been made in the Exchequer. Asks Lane to ‘Read me in tomorrow’s Nation and tell me what you think…I spoke without preparation and merely gave…the best report I could from Memory…’. (See also U611/48) 4pp

Denny Lane (1846) (1 item)

40 5 September 1846 Letter from Denny Lane, 4 Sidney Place, Cork, to J.M. Ray, Secretary, Loyal National Repeal Association, Corn Exchange Rooms, Dublin. Lane requests that his name be removed from the list of members of the Association ‘ As the policy lately adopted…and the recent expulsion of independent members, without cause, charge, notice, or form, seems to me to be calculated (if it is not designed) to perpetuate the Legislative Union, and to extinguish freedom of opinion in Ireland…’. 1p

J.M. Ray (1846) (1 item)

41 10 September 1846 Letter, from J.M. Ray, Secretary, Loyal National Repeal Association, Cork Exchange Rooms, Dublin, to Denny Lane Esquire, 4 Sidney Place, Cork. Ray Acknowledges receipt of Lane’s letter of resignation

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from the Association received 7 September 1846 and says that on the grounds stated by Lane, he ceases to be a member. 1p

John Mitchel (1846) (1 item)

42 25 October 1846 Letter, from John Mitchel, Heathfield, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin, to ‘My dear Sir’, Denny Lane, Cork. Mitchel requests Lane to contribute to a section of the Nation newspaper proposed by Smith O’Brien, for ‘those Repealers whose energies are withdrawn from the Repeal Assn. its meetings and Committees…’. The section will contain original reports and papers ‘on the wants & resources & prospects of this island in every shape…industrial, statistical & economic…’ and especially regarding new legislation ‘with a view of systematically exhibiting the real exigencies of the country…’. The title of ‘Young Ireland’ will be put at the top of the section. The main consideration, Mitchel writes, is in the ‘men who may be calculated upon to keep such a thing moving…’, many of whom are ‘very good writers & very well informed’ but require a little organisation by assigning particular subjects to prevent ‘vague declamations of which the world is weary’. Mitchel asks Lane’s opinion on the project, whether he will contribute and his preferred subject. He names Dillion, Duffy, Pigot, O’Hagan, McGee, Bindon, Martin, Reilly, and Rev. Mr. Meehan of the ‘Confederation of Kilkenny’. 3pp

T. Devin Reilly (1846) (1 item)

43 11 December 1846 Letter (printed) marked ‘Private and Confidential’ from T Devin Reilly, Acting Secretary, National Repeal Association, Nation Office, Dublin, to ‘Sir’ (Denny Lane, Cork). Encloses 5 resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Seceders of Dublin, held at the Nation Office, and requesting opinions and advice on same. The 1 st resolution was moved by Richard O’Gorman and seconded by Charles Taaffe concerning

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overtures of reconciliation made by Daniel O’Connell. The 2 nd was moved by John Mitchell, seconded by Rev. Mr. Meehan, not to reiterate all the points of difference. The 3 rd , moved by T.F. Meagher, seconded by Thomas D’Arcy McGee (on behalf of the Committee of the Dublin Remonstrants) on waiving the right to nominate persons and accepting those suggested by Daniel O’Connell. The 4 th was moved by Charles Gavan Duffy and seconded by P.J. Smyth, regarding the substitution of Mr. O’Hagan. The 5 th was moved by William Bryax, Raheny and Dr. Duffy of Finglas regarding the ascertaining of opinions

of Seceders residing at a distance. Resolutions backed by James Haughton, Chairman and T.Devin Reilly, Acting Secretary.

2pp

Motion for Meeting of [Cork Repealers] [1846] (1 item)

44 [December 1846] Motion for Meeting of [Cork Repealers] ‘ That we hereby adopt the National Declaration of the United Repealers of Dublin’. Text of the Declaration given, stating that the inhabitants of Ireland declare a ‘solemn conviction’ that the continuance of legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland ‘is a grievance and that the permanent peace and prosperity of this country and the rights of property therein can only be secured by an immediate Repeal of the measure’. Pledges best exertions for the attainment of that object. States that ‘Being also thoroughly convinced of the religious ascendancy we pledge ourselves…to oppose any infringement of the rights of conscience or exclusion from political power of any class of Irishman on account of their religious faith’. 1 item

Thomas Darcy McGee (1848) (1 item)

45 1 January 1848 Circular letter from Thomas D’Arcy McGee, 9 D’Olier Street, Dublin, to ‘My Dear Sir’, Denny Lane Esq, Barrister, Cork. McGee informs

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