For the murder of James Carey, Pat O'Donnell was convicted on the 1st of December and executed on the 17th of December, 1883, at New Gate, London.
Primrose League.—This is a kind of a league of landlords, their ladies and followers, putting forward three principles, viz.: Maintenance of religion, estates of the realm and imperial ascendency. It was founded in England in 1883. Meetings of the Primrose League were held in the Grove, Dingle, and many other places in the barony, which were attended by the "Shoneen" class. On the anniversary of the death of Lord Beaconsfield members wear a bunch of roses, although not his favorite flower.
Pitch Cap.—This was a cap made of pitch or tar. In 1798, pitch caps were placed by English officers on the heads of the Irish rebels until they would stick on to the hair and flesh, then these were set on fire.
Plan of Campaign.—This was started by William O'Brien and John Dillion (without the approval of Parnell), about the year 1886. A fair rent was offered by the tenants to the landlords, which the latter refused. With a view to forcing the landlords to terms, a strike was started against the payment of any rent. The rents were paid into the "Plan of Campaign" and deposited in the bank. However, in many cases the landlords obtained garnishee orders from the courts and seized the money in the banks. Politicians blame William O'Brien and John Dillion for not using better judgment in this and the building of New Tipperary in 1887.
Poff and Barrett Hanged.—On the 22nd of January, 1883, Sylvester Poff and James Barrett were hanged at Tralee jail for murder. They were convicted by a packed jury at Cork. By public opinion they were found innocent and their execution is classed with Crown judicial murders of Kerrymen.
Poor Scholars or the Hedge School Teachers.—These wandered all over the country and taught lessons, very often in the open air. They disappeared with the introduction of the national schools.
Pope's Brass Band.—This was the name applied by the English press to the Irish Parliamentary Party which distinguished itself in the fight against the ecclesiastical titles bill. Its leaders were Keogh and Saddlier. The Irish people had such confidence in their Parliamentary representatives that they called them the "Irish Brigade." However, soon they discovered that the leaders were the worst traitors that ever stood on Irish soil. Keogh and Saddlier accepted Government positions. Judge Keogh cut his own throat while confined in a madhouse, and on the 16th of February, 1856, Saddlier committed suicide by swallowing prussic acid. Another prominent member of the band of traitors ended his life much after the fashion of the leaders, while the band melted quickly.
Public Pilgrimage to Brandon Mountain.—This took place on Sunday, the 28th of June, 1868. The religious services at the mountain peak were presided over by Dr. Moriarty, the Catholic Bishop of Kerry. About twenty thousand persons attended.
(See Hist. Co. Kerry, Chapter V, page 39.)
Recantation (Public).—During the great anti-Catholic campaign in the Dingle Peninsula, when a Roman Catholic became a Protestant it was the custom to supply him with a written document to be signed by him wherein he withdraw all he ever said against Protestantism and gave particulars of the superstition and errors of Popery which he then denounced. Sworn documents were read in Protestant churches and published. However, not more than five per cent of the alleged subscribers to those recantations and depositions knew what they contained.