From the Archives: Successful fight against graziers at Westport Quay in 1901
By Tom Gillespie
THE fight which was being continuously waged all over Mayo by the United Irish League against graziers and grabbers took a new development on September 13, 1901, when a local grazier - a gentleman holding several ranches - drove his sheep along Westport Quay for the purpose of shipping them to Liverpool.
Here is what The Connaught Telegraph reported: The excitement at Westport Quay on Friday evening during the loading of the steamer ‘Fern’ of the Laird Line with stock for Liverpool proved very great.
The Westport cattle dealers had their stuff shipped and the boat had almost its full complement when a large number of sheep belonging to a grazier were driven down the Quay by a herder, and stevedores proceeded to ship them.
When about half of the sheep were in the hold, Mr. Michael McGreal of Westport, one of the principal livestock dealers in the county, arrived on the scene, got onto the boat and told the dockers to cease their work.
Addressing Captain Beattie of the ‘Fern’, Mr. McGreal said he objected to the grazier’s sheep being put in with his stock.
He explained that the dealers of the country were dealing principally with the poor tenant farmers and that the organisation of the latter held a great public meeting in the town of Westport on last Saturday week, which was attended by over 20,000 people, and it was determined at that meeting to fight all graziers who were monopolising the land that of right belonged to the people.
He added that all of the dealers had decided to identify themselves with the small farmers in that fight.
Captain Beattie replied that he did not understand the allusion given by Mr. McGreal to the United Irish League.
Mr. McGreal said the upshot of the protest was that he was objecting to having his stuff in the same boat as the grazier's sheep.
There were two courses open to Captain Beattie - he must choose between the stuff loaded for the dealers and the sheep partly loaded for the grazier. If he wished to carry the stuff of the dealers on his boat, then out must come the sheep belonging to the grazier.
The other stock dealers, who were present and who had boarded the vessel, stated that they supported Mr. McGreal’s protest.
Captain Beattie said if he had understood the state of affairs, as now explained to him by Mr. McGreal, he would not have taken the sheep on board at all.
The Captain then gave orders to have the sheep cleared out of the boat. This was quickly done and the grazier’s herder had no option but to drive the sheep back to his master’s farm again.
By this time a large crowd had gathered at the Quay and the denouement was loudly cheered.
Mr. McGreal, on leaving the vessel, was warmly congratulated on his manly and patriotic action.
The event has given great satisfaction in the district and although they have already many victories on land to their credit the incident at Westport Quay was hailed as the first sea victory of the United Irish League.