In the fight against the Bodyke Evictions, a cause célèbre of 1880s Clare, women played a leading role. But Michael Davitt, who supported the defenders in person and later returned to Bodyke to present medals to the veterans, disagreed. Col John O’Callaghan opposed substantial reductions at his 5,000-acre Clare estate, which in 1881 led to the first “Battle of Bodyke”. After that, an uneasy peace reigned until 1887 when evictions resumed. When an armed policeman forced his way through an upstairs window, O’Halloran’s sister Honoria grabbed his rifle by the bayonet.

Source: The Irish Times May 20, 2021 18:01 UTC