THE LAND WAR EVICTIONS
1870-1892

This was a period of great repression of the local people in north Donegal by the English Government. The English forced greater hardships on the Irish with their landlords often increasing rents during a time of depression. The Land League was formed by Michael Davitt in the year 1879. The aims of this native organisation was to force English landlords to reduce the rents being charged on native farmers and householders and to end the constant evictions of the people from their ancient homes and territories. Massive resistance proceeded to happen across the country. In the year 1880 more than 2000 families were forcibly evicted by the English. Many of these senseless evictions took place in and around Cloughaneely with Tullaghobegly showing most of the surname McGinley. The worst affected townlands were Ballyness, Drumnatinney, Glasserchoo, Keeldrum, Falcarragh and Killult. Many battles ensued between the English authorities and the locals during this period. The favoured method of ‘clearing’ a house was to use a battering ram. This happened whether or not the house was occupied.

In April of 1889, Mr Conybeare (a British M.P.), a Professor Benson and a Mr Harrison of Baliol College, Oxford had travelled to Falcarragh to witness these atrocities. They had brought parcels of food for these poor souls. They called at the house of Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile (Manus McGinley), a well respected local man whose family had always lived in the area. The Head Constable Mahony informed them that they would be breaking the law if they attempted to offer food to any local family (one must ask why it is unlawful to give food to the starving?). Mr Harrison went to the door of Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile and threw a parcel of food into the house. Mr Harrison was then arrested and locked up in the Police Barracks in Falcarragh. English justice at its best! Next morning, the house of Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile was destroyed and he along with eleven people were arrested. Four of the eleven arrested that day were McGinleys. The cases against Cathal Mag Fhionnghaile (Charles McGinley) and Neid Mag Fhionnghaile (Ned McGinley) were dropped. Another Cathal Mag Fhionnghaile (Charles McGinley) and Magaí Nig Fhionnghaile (Maggie McGinley) were sentenced to two months hard labour.

The evictions of Cloughaneely/Tullaghobegly were among the worst in Ireland and received much press attention at the time, both in Ireland and England. Little consolation for the homeless! Trade Union leaders and politicians from across Europe visited the area in the following months. Even a letter of sympathy was received from Mr Gladstone, the leader of the Opposition Party in England at that time. Here is a summary of the conditions and actions of the time;

On 2nd January 1889 a Séamus Mag Fhionnghaile (James McGinley) was arrested for taking part in the defence of the house of a Mr Patrick O’Donnell at Bedlam. He was sent to the Police barracks at Falcarragh for a while then to Derry Jail and he received five months hard labour.

On 11th April 1889, the home of Páidí Mag Fhionnghaile (Paddy McGinley) just outside the village of Falcarragh was attacked by the Police. He struggled to defend his home and protect his two cows, but he was evicted along with his wife and eight children, the youngest of whom was only a few months old.

On 11th April 1889, the home of another Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile (Manus McGinley) at Falcarragh was attacked by the Police. He had no food to eat during the previous four months and he and his family were close to starvation. He was evicted along with his seven of a family including his father, also called Mánas aged 90.

On 11th April 1889, the house of one Cathal Mag Fhionnghaile (Charles McGinley) was attacked by the authorities. Cathal had valued help from seven local women and one young boy. They were eventually thwarted by the ‘Queens’ representatives. We do not know what happened to them. This would seem to be one of the Cathal’s who helped defend the home of Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile around the same time.

On 13th April 1889 the wife of Peadar Mag Fhionnghaile (Peter McGinley) was hit by one of the authorities at her front door. A fight ensued and he was forced back by the family. The authorities left for a while then came back and the family poured boiling water over them. The family were eventually overcome and arrested.

On 27th May 1889, the home of Séamus Mag Fhionnghaile (James McGinley) of Drumnatinney was attacked. He along with some family and friends put up a strong fight in which around thirty English police were injured. He was struck with a hatchet on his head and received bad wounds. He was sentenced to four months in jail. On his return home he was greeted by a large crowd including a marching band in the streets of Falcarragh. He was seventy years old at the time.

On 23rd October 1889, we have record of the eviction of Domhnall Mag Fhionnghaile (Daniel McGinley). He lived in the tiny village, as it was then, of Gortahork. No other details are recorded.

On 24th October1889, yet another Mánas Mag Fhionnghaile (Manus McGinley) from Forth was evicted from his home. No details are recorded other than to say that he was a road contractor by profession.

On 26th October 1889, records show that the houses of Éadbhard Mag Fhionnghaile (Edward McGinley) and another Séamus Mag Fhionnghaile, both of Drumnatinney were both burned down for the failure to pay rent.

On 28th March 1890, we find mention in the records of seventeen families evicted in the townland of Keeldrum among whom was a Seán Mag Fhionnghaile (John Mcginley). His wife was arrested during the anticipated melee. It is not known what happened to Seán.

The above descriptions are as reported in the local newspapers of the time. It only captures a small part of what was happening at the time. Widespread evictions happened right across north Donegal for years, although the year 1889 would seem to have been the worst year. This is probably why it attracted press attention, while happenings in previous years were rarely reported.

It should be noted that during these very difficult time for our people, we have on record that some merchants in and around the town of Falcarragh offered what they could to the sick and needy. The most noted of these was John McGinley, Grocer in Ballyconnell (the population of which was 167 in the year 1871). Many of the people of the area were shipped off to a new life in various parts of the world such as America and Australia.