Daniel O'Connell in Galway

Invitation to Dinner

Major M'Dermott, of Ranmore in this county, accompanied by a deputation from the town, waited upon Mr. O'Connell, on Thursday last and in the following card of invitation which they handed to him, communicated the gratifying approbation of the respectable body who deputed them, of his principles, his politics, and his public conduct:- "The Gentlemen of the County and Town of Galway request the honour of Mr. O'Connell's company to a public dinner at Kilroy's Hotel on Saturday 29th instant, at six o'clock."

Mr. O'Connell's Answer

"To the Gentlemen of the County and Town of Galway, who have been pleased to invite Mr. O'Connell to the public dinner tomorrow, he returns his most respectful thanks, whilst he regrets that his professional avocations, requiring his presence elsewhere, render it quite impossible for him to avail himself of that distinguished honour. He cannot, however, suppress and he will not conceal, the sentiments of pride and pleasure with which their kindness has inspired him. He feels very proud at receiving from such Gentlemen, such attention; and he feels great pleasure at the participation which they thus evince in the principles, which as a Catholic and an Irishman, have governed his political conduct - Principles, which would establish perfect freedom of conscience in every clime and country; and whilst they protected the Catholic, in Ireland, from the bigotry of an Orange Faction, would equally shield the Protestant, in Spain, from the bloody persecution of an odious inquisition - Principles, which would revive and invigorate the British Constitution in Ireland, and restore the beloved land of our birth, from the condition of a pitiful province, to her state (as before the union) of a nation and a kingdom - Principles which, whilst they bind the subject in unalterable fidelity to the throne, enforce equal allegiance to the popular branch of the Constitution, and equal devotion to Liberty. To a perseverance in those principles he pledges his humble but honest and earnest exertions. It is by the manifestation of them that he can best prove his deep gratitude to the Gentlemen of the Town and County of Galway."

"High Street, Galway, 28th March, 1817."