Loughrea and the Terries

Extract from "The Western Argus", Galway, Saturday, August 20, 1831.

A few days since a party of peasantry were drinking in a public house at Poppy-hill, between Ballydonelan and Gurtymadden, some armed vagabonds came in to swear them - whereupon a man named Michael Dolan, a tenant of Mr. Donelan's, declared that he often heard his late master John Donelan, advise the people against the Terries; and that by God he had too much regard for his master (the Lord have mercy on him) to act against his orders tho' he was now in heaven. The captain of the Terries replied that Dolan was the first man should take the oath. The wind of the word was enough - Dolan a stout, determined, active fellow, jumped instantly over the table and seized the ruffian - the women who were present rushed in and collared Dolan, attempting to draw him away lest the Captain should shoot him. The Captain did fire at Dolan, but missed him, upon which the latter, his hands being engaged by the women, hit Terry a couple of kicks in the seat of honour, and the company interfering the Terries made of.

The consequence was the people were not sworn, and feel most grateful to Dolan, for but for his conduct the system would have been forced upon them.

A neighbouring gentleman brought Dolan to Ballinasloe and introduced him to Captain Warburton, our most efficient and active Chief Magistrate, who gave him three pounds as a reward for his determination. Dolan declared that if his master, our much regretted friend John Donelan were living, he would have seized the captain of Terries and brought him before him.

If poor John Donelan were spared to his county; or if the gentry would do their duty as we have oft heard him advise them, the system would long since have met its downfall.