The Irish Tribune: A Short-Lived Nationalist Newspaper That Shook the British Government

The Birth

It was founded during the atmosphere of the revolution of 1848.

The year 1848 was a turbulent one in Europe. The revolutions of that year caused ripples of change throughout the continent, and Ireland was no exception. In that year, The Irish Tribune was born, a short-lived nationalist newspaper that would shake the British government.

The Tribune was founded by John Mitchel, who had resigned from The Nation, another nationalist newspaper, in pursuit of a more aggressive policy against the British. The Tribune published five issues before being suppressed by the British government.

The Nation

The Nation was a nationalist newspaper supportive of Daniel O’ Cornell’s Repeal Association. One of its writers, John Mitchel resigned wanting to engage in a more “vigorous policy against the English government”. In February 1848, he published the United Irishman promoting sedition. He was eventually charged with treason felony, a new amendment to the crime of high treason. On 21 May, he was sentenced to be transported to Van Diemen’s Land for fourteen years.

The Suppression

The Tribune was a fiery publication, calling for the independence of Ireland and the overthrow of British rule. It was a publication that was willing to speak truth to power, and its readership grew rapidly.

The British government saw The Irish Tribune as a threat. They were not willing to tolerate a publication that called for the overthrow of their rule, and they moved quickly to suppress it. The Tribune published its final issue on June 17th, 1848. It was a sad day for Irish nationalists, but it was not the end of the struggle.

The suppression of The Irish Tribune did not stop the Irish people from fighting for their independence. In fact, it only strengthened their resolve. The spirit of rebellion that had been awakened by The Tribune continued to grow, and it would eventually lead to the Easter Rising of 1916, a pivotal moment in Irish history that would pave the way for the eventual establishment of the Irish Free State.

Nevertheless, The Irish Tribune played an important role in Irish history, and it remains an important landmark in the struggle for Irish independence.

The Legacy

The Irish Tribune may have been short-lived, but its impact on Irish history cannot be overstated. The Tribune was a publication that spoke truth to power, and it was willing to stand up to the British government in pursuit of independence. Its legacy lives on in the hearts of Irish nationalists, and it remains an important piece of Irish history.

The Irish Tribune serves as a reminder of the power of the press, and the important role that newspapers play in shaping the course of history. Its spirit of rebellion and resistance lives on, and it continues to inspire those who fight for freedom and independence all around the world.

The Fifth Book

On 8th of July 1848, the fifth issued book was the last to published. Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords remained exercised by threats from Irish Confederates and events associated with the famine.

The Government took the type and proofs of the sixth issue and suppressed future publication. Kevin O’Doherty and Richard Williams were arrested on 10 July, along with Martin. The Nation was suppressed and had its type removed on 28th of July. After two failed trials, Kevin O’Doherty was convicted of the same crime as Mitchel on 30 October and sentenced to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land for ten years, as was Martin. Williams was acquitted on 1 September. Thomas Antisell was sentenced to exile and imprisonment, but escaped arrest as a friend helped to secure a post as a surgeon on a US-bound ship; he and others, including Savage, arrived there in November.

The Memoir of John Mitchel

Young Irelanders conspired to fill the gap left by Mitchel. For The Irish Tribune, the proprietors were scientist and physician, Thomas Antisell who had a clinic, a lectureship in botany and was an assistant to the chemist Professor Robert Kane, and two medical students, Kevin O’Doherty and Richard Williams. It was published at 11 Trinity Street, Dublin, and printed by Denis Hoban.

The first issue came out on 10th of June 1848. Antisell helped with the funding (there were shareholders) and contributed articles. Williams’ poetry had been published in The Nation and another contributor published in The Nation, John Savage, penned poems for the Tribune.

The paper included a full-page memoir of John Mitchel, a republican, manifesto, articles reporting on chartism, the revolutionary fervour across Europe, and an advertisement for John Martin’s imminent “successor” to The United Irishman, The Irish Felon, The Tribune itself was considered by many to be that successor, but in the second issue editors clarified this was not intended (orders for the Tribune had been sent to The United Irishman’s office at 12 Trinity Street).