The Manchester Martyrs

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

Ireland, Irish History, Norman Invasion, Great Hunger, Vikings, Interviews, History, War Of Independence, Great Famine

4.7 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 11 October 2016

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In November 1867 tension and fear gripped the city of Manchester. A regiment of the British Army was drafted in to support a police force already bolstered by an extra 2,000 recruits.

With the most contentious execution in a century due to take place at the New Bailey Prison, it was feared racial tensions in Manchester would erupt into violence.

The three condemned men Michael O'Brien, Michael Larkin and William Allen were all Irish. It was widely believed that the British courts had treated them harshly. As the execution day approached rumours spread that an escape orchestrated by the Fenians was on the cards. The city was on a knife edge...

This podcast tells the fascinating story of these three men remembered as the Manchester Martyrs.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Attention at all passengers. You can now book your train tickets on Uber and get 10% back in Uber credits to spend on your next train journey.
0:11.0	So no excuses not to visit your in-laws this Christmas.
0:16.5	Trains now on Uber. T's and C's apply check the Uber app.
0:22.4	Hello and
0:23.7	the Irish history podcast. My name is Finn Duar and this episode is on the
0:28.8	Manchester Martyrs. This episode is based on the story of Irish immigrants living in Manchester in the 1860s who were involved in Ireland's struggle for independence.
0:40.0	The podcast centres around three men facing execution in 1867 but also involves the story of a daring jailbreak and the most famous organisation of the 19th century Irish world, the Phoenix.
0:55.3	In 1867, the sound of hammers echoed through the streets surrounding the New Bailey Prison at
1:06.6	Salford near Manchester in the northeast of England.
1:10.9	Over the course for a week, a large gallows was erected on the prison walls.
1:15.0	This was in advance of one of the most controversial hangings in 19th century England.
1:21.0	Three Irish men, Michael O'Brien, Michael Larkin and William Allen were due to be hanged on Saturday, November the 23rd, 1867.
1:31.0	Their case was famous. While the entire country was talking about it, the city of Manchester
1:37.7	had been convulsed and divided. Around 10% of the city's population were Irish and the plight of the three men have provoked
1:45.3	both anger and sympathy in Irish communities across the city.
1:50.1	Rumors that an attempt to rescue the three from prison was on everyone's lips.
1:55.0	Major disturbances were feared.
1:57.0	Soldiers from the 72nd Highland Regiment were drafted into Manchester to preserve order.
2:02.0	They joined a police force that had been bolstered by an
2:05.2	extra 2,000 officers who had been armed with pistols and sabers.
2:10.3	When the day of execution finally arrived on November the 23rd, 1867, over 10,000 people had thronged the streets surrounding the new Bailey prison to see their hanging. A hostile stadium-like atmosphere greeted the three
2:26.7	men as they emerged from the prison onto the gallows. Most of the crowd present were unsympathetic and had come to cheer on their execution.
	...

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