Found on another Irish list archive: extracts of interest to S.Mayo area, especially Claremorris and Irishtown. "In October 1878 the Clan na Gael were willing to join Parnell if he dropped the demand for Federal Home Rule in favour of a general declaration demanding self-government, agitated the land question, excluded sectarian issues from his platform. He was in favour of most items in this programme. He would not, however, have any alliance with, nor at any time was he willing to become a Fenian. Devoy in America was an active propagandist; Davitt was effective in this field at home. Farmers were compelled to agitate.The first public meeting was held on 19 April 1879 at Irishtown, Co. Mayo. Canon BURKE, the local parish priest, was also a small landlord. His father, within living memory, had doubled the rents of his several holdings, with the result that when bad times came arrears accumulated. Canon Burke was a kindly and not ungenerous man, but he had the landlord's notions about landlord rights and he refused to forgive or reduce the rents. He also threatened his tenants with eviction. It was difficult to arouse public opinion against Canon Burke because of the respect for his office. Davitt was appealed to for advice. He decided, after consulting a few friends in CLAREMORRIS, to hold a public meeting. This was organised by John O KANE, P W NALLY, John WALSH, and P J QUINN. The local leaders and speakers were, for the most part, Fenians...... 7000 audience........ Farmers' sons, shop assistants, farm labourers. The speakers demanded abolition of landlordism, rackrenting and eviction. They were answered by the great crowd with cries of "Down with landlordism". One happy result of the meeting was that Canon BURKE ceased his threats to evict, and his decision to grant an abatement of 25% in rents." Mary G