Shanon Door Irish Pub and Restaurant located in Jackson, NH Featuring Family Food, Pizza and Live Entertainment

The Shannon Door Pub & Restaurant
   

The Story of Nine Famous Irishmen

In the young Irish disorders, in Ireland in 1848, the following nine men were captured, tried and convicted of treason against Her Majesty, the Queen, and were sentenced to death: John Mitchell, Morris Leyne, Pat Donahue, Thomas McGee, Charles Duffy, Thomas Meagher, Richard O'Gorman, Terrance McManus, and Michael Ireland.

Before passing sentence, the judge asked if there was anything that anyone wished to say. Meagher, speaking for all, said, "My Lord, this is our first offence, but not our last. If you will be easy with us, this once we promise, on our word as gentlemen, to try to do better next time. And next time - sure we won't be fools to get caught." Thereupon, the indignant judge sentenced them all to be hanged by the neck until dead, and drawn and quartered. Passionate protest from all the world forced Queen Victoria to commute the sentence to transportation for life to far, wild Australia.

In 1874, word reached an astounded Queen Victoria that the Sir Charles Duffy who had been elected Prime Minister of Australia, was the same Charles Duffy who had been transported 25 years before. On the Queen's demand, the records of the rest of the transported men were revealed and this is what was uncovered:

Thomas Francis Meagher:
Governor of Montana

Terrance McManus:
Brigadier General, US Army

Patrick Donahue:
Brigadier General, US Army

Morris Leyne:
Attorney General of Australia in which office Michael Ireland succeeded him.

Richard O'Gorham:
Governor General of Newfoundland

Thomas D'Archy McGee:
Member of Parliament, Montreal, Minister of Agriculture and President of Council Dominion of Canada.

John Mitchell:
Prominent New York Politician. This man was the father of John Purroy Mitchell, Mayor of New York at the outbreak of World War One.