Harrington and Esmond's Election.—This Parliamentary election contest took place between Edward Harrington, Parnellite, outgoing M. P. for West Kerry, and Sir Thomas Gratton Esmond, anti-Parnellite. By the undue influence of the clergy, Sir Thomas Gratton was elected.
Home Rule.—On Thursday, the 19th day of May, 1870, this association sprung into existence in Dublin under the leadership of Isaac Butt, a Protestant Nationalist. Briefly stated, the principal object contemplated by the organization was to obtain for the Irish people power to make their own laws and manage their own local affairs by an Irish Parliament, and to be subject to the English Crown, like Canada, Southwest Africa and Australia. In the Irish Parliament there was not to be a class or creed ascendancy, but Protestants and Catholics were to be linked together in one bond in a free and independent Parliament. In 1871, Isaac Butt was elected a member of Parliament for Limerick without a contest. Many Protestants joined the Home Rule cause. In the North of Ireland there exists a class of foreign Irish better known throughout the world as "Orangemen." The English Unionist classes, under the false color and pretense of peacemakers and Christians, are doing the utmost in their power to sow the seeds of discord and dissension among the Irish people. One of the sharpest wedges they can drive to divide the people in Ireland is religion. They raised the cry that it was not "Home Rule" but "Rome Rule." The wealth of the Unionist party, or capitalist classes, of England, Scotland, Ireland, India, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada is behind them, and this class of people are petted and pampered for keeping the Unionist party in power.
Home rule bills were often passed by the House of Commons as representing a substantial majority of the people of the United Kingdom but rejected by the House of Lords. However, it may be well to note that a fight to restore the Irish Parliament under the title of "Repeal of the Union" started in Ireland before the doors of the Houses of Parliament were closed.[5]
House League.—This league was introduced into those parts in 1886, through the Irish National League. The object of the House League was to check the owners of houses from charging exorbitant rents to the occupants. In Dingle, Castle Gregory, and other places, the League fixed "fair rents" and compelled the owners to give clear receipts, on payment of the new rents. For various reasons, the House League was never popular. As intimidation was practiced by the House League upon the owners of houses, the law courts held the receipts given invalid, and the old rents were recovered.
Influenza.—This is one of the most contagious diseases known, and far more dangerous than most people believe. Its last serious appearance amongst the people was in 1889-90. Every time it started from China and traveled the world quicker than any other disease. A letter written by one person to another, although over three thousand miles apart, caused an outbreak of the disease. Those suffering from any other malady, especially consumptives, were swept away to their graves. It made many a fond mother cry. It was known to be in Ireland in 1836-37, 1847-48, 1889-90. It is said that influenza first appeared in the country in 1570.
Invisible-Blood-Jobbers.—These are false and corrupt political leaders who for blood-money, and in hopes of receiving positions with pay, power, and false honor, are seducing the young men of Ireland into that mad and insane war now raging in Europe.
Ivy Day.—The anniversary of Parnell's burial. Ivy is an evergreen, therefore it is worn on Sunday following the 6th of October to keep the memory of C. S. Parnell forever green in the hearts of his followers.
Kennels and Hunting.—Formerly hunting was very much carried on in the peninsula. Every Sunday during the hunting season the sides of our mountains and valleys resounded with the yells of packs of half-starved beagles kept by middlemen. With the disappearance of the latter class, the beagles also followed, save a few exceptions.
Kerry Bonds.—Persons who were unable to pay their tithes in full when demanded and overdue, gave a bond bearing interest. The system appears to be peculiar to the promontories of Kerry for some time, but finally became extinct. Many of these bonds were given for tithes illegally levied.
Kerry Cows Know Sunday.—This old saying is handed down to us as a relic of the wicked famine which started in 1739, when living cattle were bled once a week and the blood boiled with milk, cabbage or grass to make a Sunday meal for the family. (See 1713.)