Neddy Lohan
Encyclopedia
Neddy Lohan, Captain of Irish
Whiteboys
, died 1820.
Lohan was a captain of a group of Whiteboys
in the Moylough
area of County Galway
, responsible for rural unrest and violence. They were opposed by Charles O'Rourke (Moylough), a landlord based in Moylough, who arrested suspected members and engaged them in pitched battles.
An ambush was planned by the Whiteboys, upon learning of his route on a given night. However, a young landowner named Brown was travelling the same road that night, and was killed in the belief that he was O'Rourke. He was well regarded by local people and the Whiteboys.
O'Rourke arrested several men, and upon the information of an informer, Seamus a'Burca, Lohan was sentenced to death for the crime. Prior to sentencing, Lohan was asked if there were any gentleman of the jury who could give him a character recommendation. Lohan pointed out a Mr. Blake of Garbally. On being asked what he had to say about Lohan, Blake replied, I never saw two dogs fighting, my lord, but Lohan would be the third.
Lohan was taken from Galway
jail to be hung, as was custom, at his own door. He sat on his coffin on a cart on the way. At Turloughmore
he recognised a friend called O'Shaughnessy
and threw him his hat, exclaiming I will you my old hat. This was afterwards called Lohan's Last Will and Testament.
Lohan was hung in front of a crowd of hundreds at Cooloo hill, in sight of his house. Two of his sisters were present, and it was stated that they were never in their right mind afterwards. The local historian, Martin Finnerty, recorded that his grandmother witnessed the event.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Whiteboys
Whiteboys
The Whiteboys were a secret Irish agrarian organization in 18th-century Ireland which used violent tactics to defend tenant farmer land rights for subsistence farming...
, died 1820.
Lohan was a captain of a group of Whiteboys
Whiteboys
The Whiteboys were a secret Irish agrarian organization in 18th-century Ireland which used violent tactics to defend tenant farmer land rights for subsistence farming...
in the Moylough
Moylough
Moylough is a small rural village located in County Galway in Ireland. It is located on the N63 national secondary road , and is served also by the R328 and R364 regional roads. It is 50 km from Galway, 30 km from Roscommon, and 5 km northwest of Mountbellew...
area of County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, responsible for rural unrest and violence. They were opposed by Charles O'Rourke (Moylough), a landlord based in Moylough, who arrested suspected members and engaged them in pitched battles.
An ambush was planned by the Whiteboys, upon learning of his route on a given night. However, a young landowner named Brown was travelling the same road that night, and was killed in the belief that he was O'Rourke. He was well regarded by local people and the Whiteboys.
O'Rourke arrested several men, and upon the information of an informer, Seamus a'Burca, Lohan was sentenced to death for the crime. Prior to sentencing, Lohan was asked if there were any gentleman of the jury who could give him a character recommendation. Lohan pointed out a Mr. Blake of Garbally. On being asked what he had to say about Lohan, Blake replied, I never saw two dogs fighting, my lord, but Lohan would be the third.
Lohan was taken from Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
jail to be hung, as was custom, at his own door. He sat on his coffin on a cart on the way. At Turloughmore
Turloughmore
Turloughmore is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The name means "the large lake," a notable feature of the area, together with the Clare River ....
he recognised a friend called O'Shaughnessy
O'Shaughnessy
Ó Seachnasaigh, O'Shaughnessy, collectively Uí Sheachnasaigh, clan name Cinél nAedha na hEchtghe, is a family surname of Irish origin.The name is found primarily in County Galway and County Limerick...
and threw him his hat, exclaiming I will you my old hat. This was afterwards called Lohan's Last Will and Testament.
Lohan was hung in front of a crowd of hundreds at Cooloo hill, in sight of his house. Two of his sisters were present, and it was stated that they were never in their right mind afterwards. The local historian, Martin Finnerty, recorded that his grandmother witnessed the event.
See also
- Anthony DalyAnthony DalyAnthony Daly was a native of Rahruddy, a townland west of Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, and a leader of the local Whiteboy movement...
- James MacHugoJames MacHugoJames MacHugo, United Irishman, fl. 1797–1799.MacHugo was a merchant trading in tobacco until found guilty of smuggling, which led to revenue officers impounding his entire stock and putting him out of business...
- Padraig Gearr Ó ManninPadraig Gearr Ó ManninPadraig Gearr Ó Mannin, United Irishman, fl. 1798.Ó Mannin was a native of Carnacregg, Menlough, who participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. A party of several dozen men from Menlough and its surrounding area assembled and marched towards Mayo. However, after only a day, they were informed of...
- Thunderbolt GibbonsThunderbolt Gibbons-Background:Gibbons was a native of Barnaderg and became the leader of the Whiteboy movement in the area. He was noted for his speed, which caused him to be popularly called 'Thunderbolt', and in relation to his many escapes from arrest....
- Captain KittCaptain Kitt-Background:Kitt was a native of the parish of Ballymacward and was leader of the Whiteboys in the area. He usually convenied the meetings, which were called The Ballinafad, held at his home in Corskeaghdaly...
- Andrew Ó hAugheganAndrew Ó hAugheganAndrew Ó hAughegan , Ribbonmen informant, fl. 1820.Ó hAughegan was a servant of Patrick Cullen, a revenue officer who resided at Coorheen, Loughrea. On a night in late February or early March 1820, Cullen's house was visited by Ribbonmen led by Anthony Daly...
- Charles O'Rourke (Moylough)