On June 10, 1887, a widely publicised eviction happened near Bodyke in east Clare. This farm belonged to John O’Halloran. It wasn’t unusual then for women to be at the forefront in eviction wars.
The O’Halloran Sisters, Honoria, Annie and Sarah and their mother, Harriet, were no different and fiercely resisted the 400 armed men who came to evict them, as the Freeman’s Journal reported.
The O’Halloran family had about 18 acres that they rented from Colonel O’Callaghan for £23 yearly. Previously, the rent was raised to £33 annually, and after the tenants took the case to the Land Court, the rent was reduced.
Despite the reduction, the O’Hallorans owed two years’ rent because they were constructing a new two-storey building. The O’Halloran family had also borrowed some money from the board of works.
The O’Halloran family was aware of the coming eviction and made preparations in the weeks leading up to it. They made significant defensive adjustments by constructing earthworks in the house vicinity, digging a trench around its perimeter, barricading the windows and doors, and making small openings at strategic points in the walls like loopholes. They also stocked up on pitchforks, wooden poles and sandbags.
Six O’Halloran family members, two of their brothers, Frank and Patrick and their mother Harriet. The Freemans Journal also reported that a young girl of about eight or nine was present and participated in the resistance. However, it is uncertain whether or not she was a family member.
The founder of the Irish National Land League, Michael Davitt, was also present and tried to stop the family from using pitchforks. A couple of clergy members and MP Joseph Richard Cox supported the family.
Colonel Turner came with a couple of soldiers who were armed to their teeth. The family boiled dirty water and other mixtures and began throwing the hot substances on the bailiffs when they came close to the house.
The O’Halloran family remained unwilling to back down despite the threats of the armed forces opening fire. The O’Halloran girls kept daring the men saying, ‘come now if you dare.
Eventually, after long hours of holding out, several attempts by the armed forces and a plea from Fr Hannon, the O’Halloran family couldn’t hold out anymore. All the family members were eventually arrested, and while some were released, others awaited trial.
The case was heard on June 20 1887, in Ennis Courthouse. Frank and Patrick were sentenced to three months imprisonment and hard labour, while Honoria and Annie got a sentence of one-month imprisonment with hard work. Sarah and Harriet were not sentenced.
In a public meeting that was held locally by Cox and Davitt, Harriet’s heroic defence of her home and the strength of the O’Halloran family were commended. During 1901 and 1911, some members of the O’Halloran family were still living on the land.
