Ballinrobe's Pop-up Museum

Courthouse/Market House - Board 2

By Averil Staunton

Dr. Sheila Mulloy of Westport was of the opinion that “Ballinrobe Courthouse was the only one in the country unchanged since 1798”. 

Built

The Market House/Courtrooms was rebuilt c. 1752. Many important events occurred in this building including cases where Irish men and women were sentenced to death or transportation to the New World, with most cases conducted in English. Fear was instilled in people in the 20th centuryby the threat “I’ll see you under the clock”.

The Boycott Trial

An interesting case examined in the Courtroom was that of ‘agitators’ who were accused of attempting to injure Captain Boycott (Lough Mask House). The Land League events were of such world-wide interest, that many international newspapers dispatched reporters to cover the events.

Reporters & Artwork 

The artist Charles William Cole (fl.1880-1905) stayed in Ballinrobe and drew many sketches of daily activities and reported on the mood of the locals during the trials for the Graphic Newspaper, London. These sketches give us an indication of the number of army personnel who were moved into Ballinrobe and the area to protect the 50 Orangemen who participated in the Boycott Relief Expedition 12th-26th November,1880; also his departure from the area.

Adding a Work to the English Language

Fr. John O’Malley is credited by Michael Davitt as having adopted the verb “to Boycott” and that “already the stoutest hearted are yielding on every side to the dread of being Boycotted”.

Irish Green Flag with Uncrowned Harp

  Another interesting event occurred at a quarterly meeting of the local district council held on the 25th November, 1899. Mr. Peter Regan flew “the Green Flag with an uncrowned Harp” from the Courthouse window to the applause of a large crown outside. Having been warned by Mr. Hearne C.P.S. to remove it, Mr. Regan would not do so, so the Head Constable Nash was called but, by the time he arrived, the flag had been squirreled away safely.