Denny Lane Papers Descriptive List (Ref. U611)

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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