Local history: James Daly’s funeral was one of the largest seen in Mayo's county town

By Tom Gillespie

THE death took place 113 years ago of Mr. James Daly (74), who had the distinction of presiding at the historic meeting in Irishtown in 1879 when the first branch of the Land League was established.

His extensive obituary was carried in The Connaught Telegraph, of which he had been editor and proprietor.

His death took place at Spencer Street, Castlebar. For a considerable time past he had been in indifferent health but he was able to be up and about a week before his death.

An attack of pneumonia a few years previously had considerably undermined his very robust constitution, and he never completely recovered his strength notwithstanding the best medical advice and sojourns at health resorts.

During his last illness his friend and spiritual advisor, Rev. P.J. Madden, C.C., Castlebar, was unremitting in his attentions, and a few moments before his death he had the happiness of receiving the Viaticum.

His death had come as a great shock to his bereaved widow, Honoria, and family, and universal sympathy was extended to them in their great loss.

The newspaper reported: Widespread regret was occasioned by the announcement of his death not only in Mayo but all over the province of Connaught, and the large number of messages of condolence that have arrived in from all parts of Ireland show how well-known and esteemed he was.

The death of Mr. Daly removes one of the most prominent figures in the West for well over a quarter of a century.

He was a fine type of Irishman, and during his long span of years a strenuous and determined fight he waged against landlordism.

It was Mr. Daly who presided at the Irishtown Land League meeting. He afterwards travelled all over Connaught addressing meetings and forming branches of the organisation in towns and villages.

While he was editor and proprietor of The Connaught Telegraph he exposed the grievances under which the tenants suffered in no uncertain manner, and his articles caused the Government of the day to keep a close eye on him.

There is no doubt that the movement would not have spread so rapidly in the western counties were it not for the great personality of the deceased and the tremendous assistance he gave to Michael Davitt both by his voice and by his paper.

Under the Coercion Act he was lodged as a suspect in Galway Jail. Subsequently he was tried in Sligo with Davitt, Jas. Bryce Killeen, B.L., and Tom Brennan for conspiracy and intimidatory speeches.

The trial caused a furore at the time, and the accused, who were defended by the famous Belfast solicitor, Mr. John Rea, were ultimately acquitted.

The deceased also took a prominent part in the ’98 centenary celebrations, and was the organiser of the monster meetings held during that year in Ballina, Castlebar and Frenchill. The monument raised at the latter place, placed over the graves of the French cavalry who fell in 1798, was primarily due to his exertions.

Mr. Daly also took an active part in the formation of the United Irish League, and was one of Mr. William O’Brien’s principle lieutenants at the time.

Mr. Daly was identified with all the local public boards, being a valued member of Mayo County Council, the Mayo Asylum Committee, the Mayo Infirmary Committee, the Mayo Technical and Agricultural Committee, the Castlebar District Council and Urban Council.

He was for years chairman of the District Council and the Urban Council, and was also a member of Ballina Board of Guardians for a short period. Mr. Daly went within one vote of heading the poll.

His remains were removed from his residence to the Church of the Holy Rosary where he lay in repose before the altar until the following morning when a Solemn High Mass de Requiem was celebrated for the eternal repose of his soul.

The officiating clergymen were: Rev. J.W. Madden, C.C. (celebrant); Rev. P.J. Madden, C.C. (sub-deacon); Very Rev. Canon Patrick Lyons, P.P., V.F. , master of ceremonies. In the sanctuary, Rev. W.J. Heavy, C.C., Belcarra.

At one o’clock the funeral cortee started for the Old Church Cemetery, and it is hardly necessary to say that it was one of the largest and most representative funerals witnessed in Castlebar for a number of years.

All the public boards in the county were represented as well as every creed and class in the community.

As a mark of respect to the deceased business was suspended in the town and all the houses were closed, shuttered and blinds drawn.

The people would not allow the coffin into the hearse and it was consequently borne on their shoulders until it reached its last resting place.

The chief mourners were: Mrs. Daly (widow); Misses Mary and Nonie Daly (daughters); Mr. James Daly (senior clerk, county council office, son); Mrs. McNulty Richmond (sister); Mr. Chas. Daly, D.C, Coachfield (brother); Misses Norah and M.A. Daly, Belcarra (nieces); Messrs. Martin J. Daly, John J. Daly, D.C., Glenhest; Jas. Brennan, Weatherfort; James McHale, Laherdane (nephews); Mrs. C. Daly and Mrs. Kilgariff, Tuam (sisters-in-law); Mrs. McHale, Lahardane, Mrs. Heneghan, Claremorris; Mrs. McNeela, do.; Messers Martin Dever, Newport; P. Stephens, Mayo; T. Stephen, do.; Andrew Forde, Hollybrook; T. Griffiths, Ballindine; M.C. Daly, U.D.C., Castlebar, and P. Kuigariff, Tuam (cousins).

A column and a half was devoted in The Connaught Telegraph to recording those who attended the funeral with the report stating: It would be impossible to give anything approaching a complete or accurate list of those who attended.

The last prayers at the graveside were said by Rev. P.J. Madden, C.C. Mr. P.J. Feeney supplied the hearse and carriages, and Mr. John Murphy the massive and richly mounted oak coffin.