King George V visit to Dublin in 1911

Blisterman

I can only find a tiny bit of information about this visit, which basically says that thousands of people lined the streets to cheer it on.
Considering the political climate at the time, were there any protests to the visit or violence?

pjproby

On July 15th 1911 the Leinster Leader reported the royal visit to Maynooth College.
The paper has no reports of protests-the reception committee included Cardinal Logue, Dr Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Healy, Archbishop of Tuam.
the paper printed an extremely long list of those in attendance.
The royal party then paid a visit to the Chapel and just before leaving the'excellent' Artane Boys Band' moved up to the front and played God Save the King

johnny_doyle

some medals were issued to members of the RIC, copies of which can be found :

http://www.theeasterrising.eu/140RoyalVisits/RV.htm

http://irishconstabulary.com/topic/517/t/Visit-to-Ireland-Medals.html


there's mention of some protests in the following article but no details

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/033001/f2/033001-1402.5-e.pdf

Some photos on the RTE webpage at :

https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?%24+with+rte_occupations_th_h+from+1.ZZZX%403Z+to+1.ZZZX%403Z~=.&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Fb&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&with+image_sort=.

CDfm

Was this the event that highlighted the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels -essentially - a major crime at the time.

Also, is it where the term "Jackeen" comes from or was that an earlier royal visit?

gurramok

Also, there was an Unionist minority in South Dublin back then(Monkstown/Kingstown etc) which would of attracted an enthusiastic crowd. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/dublin/religion.html
Ordinary people would of been curious to see royalty anyway, cheer them on I find it hard to believe though

ejmaztec

CDfm wrote: »

Was this the event that highlighted the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels -essentially - a major crime at the time.

Also, is it where the term "Jackeen" comes from or was that an earlier royal visit?

They got "lifted" in 1907, so I suppose it was old news in 1911, even though they were still looking for them as well as someone to arrest.

I see that there was a 1907 royal visit by Edward V11 four days after they were stolen, perhaps this is the one you're talking about?

CDfm

ejmaztec wrote: »

I see that there was a 1907 royal visit by Edward V11 four days after they were stolen, perhaps this is the one you're talking about?

Thats the one - as the loss was discovered just prior to an event.

We are often told that we inherited one of the finest civil servant services in the world :pac:

I wasnt aware of the number of Royal Visits to Ireland and they do seem to have been rather frequent at that time.

brianthebard

Ireland was probably at its most accepting of Britain and Britishness/its role in the Empire at this time, despite the surge in patriotism after the 1798 centenary. However I think there would still have been protests and complaints from some quarters such as the Dungannon Clubs, the Irish Worker, The Leader, the IRB and others. But I don't think these protests were widespread or hugely popular.

donaghs

gurramok wrote: »

Also, there was an Unionist minority in South Dublin back then(Monkstown/Kingstown etc) which would of attracted an enthusiastic crowd. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/dublin/religion.html
Ordinary people would of been curious to see royalty anyway, cheer them on I find it hard to believe though

Protestants would have formed a majority in some Dublin suburbs, e.g. parts of "Kingstown" (Dun Laoghaire). Also numerous around Ballsbridge, Rathmines, Rathgar, (old) Foxrock, etc. But there would have been many Catholics out to welcome them also. E.g. "Castle Catholics" who were happy with the UK status quo, and Nationalists who did not necessarily oppose the monarchy - but looked forward to Home Rule, just around corner. For example, Arthur Griffith the founder of Sinn Fein initially outlined an Austro-Hungarian solution where there were different parliaments, but a shared monarchy (not sure what he made of the visit though).

With Home Rule almost there & increasing economic prosperity, the political situation was relatively settled. The growing class Labour disputes and the problems of Dublin slums would have directed their anger more at the Irish capitalist elite, than the King.

The description of the time says that 1000s of well-wishers lined the streets from Kingstown to Dublin Castle, which is a lot of people.

From looking around, I can't find many descriptions of protests. This is in contrast to previous visits like 1903 where some more hardline Nationalists like Maud Gonne did publically protest. The timing of the Boer War was also influential in these protests though.

There's a good summary of Dublin at the time here:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/dublin/main.html
Interestingly it describes Dublin at the time as "a mass of contradictions". Which is a good constrast to sometimes simplistic views of history we get from "national narratives".

Judgement Day

johnny_doyle wrote: »

some medals were issued to members of the RIC, copies of which can be found :

http://www.theeasterrising.eu/140RoyalVisits/RV.htm

http://irishconstabulary.com/topic/517/t/Visit-to-Ireland-Medals.html


there's mention of some protests in the following article but no details

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/033001/f2/033001-1402.5-e.pdf

Some photos on the RTE webpage at :

https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?%24+with+rte_occupations_th_h+from+1.ZZZX%403Z+to+1.ZZZX%403Z~=.&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Fb&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&with+image_sort=.

There are all sorts of interesting pics on that RTE 'Stills' site - thanks for posting. I think even the most hardened republican (of all types) will have to admit that the camera doesn't lie and the crowds can't all have been protestants from Foxrock and Kingstown.

pjproby

Percy French recalling an earlier royal visit

http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/site/lyrics/song_385.html

gurramok

donaghs wrote: »

The description of the time says that 1000s of well-wishers lined the streets from Kingstown to Dublin Castle, which is a lot of people.

From looking around, I can't find many descriptions of protests. This is in contrast to previous visits like 1903 where some more hardline Nationalists like Maud Gonne did publically protest. The timing of the Boer War was also influential in these protests though.

There's a good summary of Dublin at the time here:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/dublin/main.html
Interestingly it describes Dublin at the time as "a mass of contradictions". Which is a good constrast to sometimes simplistic views of history we get from "national narratives".

Firstly, the article does not say 'well-wishers', it says " thousands lined the streets to view his procession." Onlookers, even I would have a gawk :P

Secondly, were protests allowed near the route in those days?

Judgement Day wrote:

There are all sorts of interesting pics on that RTE 'Stills' site - thanks for posting. I think even the most hardened republican (of all types) will have to admit that the camera doesn't lie and the crowds can't all have been protestants from Foxrock and Kingstown.

Err, I only see one photo on that site with barely to see spectators in the background on their arrival at then Kingstown harbour.
https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=2&_IXSR_=5uQIXGBNS1D&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%2524%2bwith%2brte_occupations_th_h%2bfrom%2b1%252eZZZX%25403Z%2bto%2b1%252eZZZX%25403Z%257e%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26with%2bimage_sort%3d%26_IXSESSION_%3dlQRUwwGfDcE%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

Here is what it says:
"The carriage carrying King George V, Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary leaves Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) en route to Dublin following their arrival at Victoria Wharf on 8th July 1911. The carriage is being followed by an escort of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. A guard of honour of Bluejackets and a crowd of spectators can be seen in the background"

Like to exaggerate do you?

Judgement Day

gurramok wrote: »

Firstly, the article does not say 'well-wishers', it says " thousands lined the streets to view his procession." Onlookers, even I would have a gawk :P

Secondly, were protests allowed near the route in those days?



Err, I only see one photo on that site with barely to see spectators in the background on their arrival at then Kingstown harbour.
https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=2&_IXSR_=5uQIXGBNS1D&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%2524%2bwith%2brte_occupations_th_h%2bfrom%2b1%252eZZZX%25403Z%2bto%2b1%252eZZZX%25403Z%257e%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26with%2bimage_sort%3d%26_IXSESSION_%3dlQRUwwGfDcE%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

Here is what it says:
"The carriage carrying King George V, Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary leaves Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) en route to Dublin following their arrival at Victoria Wharf on 8th July 1911. The carriage is being followed by an escort of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. A guard of honour of Bluejackets and a crowd of spectators can be seen in the background"



Like to exaggerate do you?

Why would I like to exaggerate, I am interested in history not fantasy? You clearly have a problem with this ancient bit of our history and there are plenty of pics showing crowds - O'Connell Bridge being one. Anyway I was thanking the OP for drawing my attention to the RTE 'stills' site in general as there are all sorts of interesting pics and I never knew about the site before.

College Green: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=30&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

O'Connell Bridge: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=31&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

Judgement Day

More Protestants here: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=45&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t probably bussed in from Belfast.

CDfm

Something like this would have been the event to be at.

So were there balls and things happening and,time for the ladies, cos after all the glamour side of Royalty is a girly thing.

While some people were into politics , lots would have sold their souls to be at a royal bash.

gurramok

Judgement Day wrote: »

Why would I like to exaggerate, I am interested in history not fantasy? You clearly have a problem with this ancient bit of our history and there are plenty of pics showing crowds - O'Connell Bridge being one. Anyway I was thanking the OP for drawing my attention to the RTE 'stills' site in general as there are all sorts of interesting pics and I never knew about the site before.

College Green: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=30&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

O'Connell Bridge: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=31&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t

Judgement Day wrote: »

More Protestants here: https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=45&_IXSR_=WyhH0WaFXNo&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXSESSION_%3dJ_FDPhOeYHp%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dking%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26text_search_context%3dKing%2bgeorge%2bvisit%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates/t&_IXFPFX_=templates/t probably bussed in from Belfast.

Were they cheering? Were they carrying Union Jack flags and bunting? Those big letters RTE across the photo's distorts the picture.

To me, they look like onlookers curious to have a gawk at a King on a visit as a big event like that didn't happen alot in those days. And yes, if I was around in 1911, i'd pop along to see the fuss and the extravagance of royalty.

MarchDub

There were protests against the 1911 Royal visit. References to these are in letters and autobiographies of those around at the time.

Maud Gonne says in her autobiography that the Inghinidhe na hEireann [Daughters of Erin] were out in force to protest at the visit of George V in 1911 and demonstrating for Home Rule. She also expresses in a letter her delight that "no loyal address" was given during this visit. It is also clear from her letter that the Police were told to try and contain any protesters.

At a demonstration organized by Inghinidhe na hEireann, the IRB and Sinn Fein Countess Markiewicz and Helena Molony were both arrested because Molony in a speech to a crowd of demonstrators protesting the visit referred to George V as a "scoundrel" and a "ruffian". The Police rushed in and arrested her and Markiewicz.

The IRB/Sinn Fein anti-royal visit demonstration is said to have had around 30,000 in attendance. According to witness reports stones were thrown at the Royal procession and someone took the giant Union flag from the top of Leinster House -owned at the time by the RDS I believe - and burned it.

Judgement Day

Gurramok - Some of them were probably booing or shouting 'Up Dev' for all I know but you are moving the goalposts - there were people aplenty watching the 1911 royal visit just as they would for any major dignitary - JFK, the Pope, Bill Clinton etc.
Some of us them even had bunting around on their houses for the 1904 visit of Edward VII. Below is a picture of my grandfather's house in Foxrock (!) at that time - sorry for reinforcing your worst prejudices about black Prods.

ejmaztec

Judgement Day wrote: »

Gurramok - Some of them were probably booing or shouting 'Up Dev' for all I know but you are moving the goalposts - there were people aplenty watching the 1911 royal visit just as they would for any major dignitary - JFK, the Pope, Bill Clinton etc.
Some of us them even had bunting around on their houses for the 1904 visit of Edward VII. Below is a picture of my grandfather's house in Foxrock (!) at that time - sorry for reinforcing your worst prejudices about black Prods.

I'm certain that I can see a reflection in one of the windows, of a
peasant being flogged behind the hedge. I could be mistaken though.:eek:

CDfm

LOL

Are there any news reports from National newspapers or say the London Times describing any demonstrations and what about elected politicl leaders. Did the Leaders of the Home Rule Party meet the King or did the Lord Mayor have a soiree.

Any mention in the Press of activities in the Vice Regal Lodge.

What does the Kings public engagements read like in published sources. Any visits to the Theatre??

Its a nice thought that there were mass demonstrations but if there were I havent read about them before.

gurramok

Judgement Day wrote: »

Gurramok - Some of them were probably booing or shouting 'Up Dev' for all I know but you are moving the goalposts - there were people aplenty watching the 1911 royal visit just as they would for any major dignitary - JFK, the Pope, Bill Clinton etc.
Some of us them even had bunting around on their houses for the 1904 visit of Edward VII. Below is a picture of my grandfather's house in Foxrock (!) at that time - sorry for reinforcing your worst prejudices about black Prods.

Exactly, we'd all turn up at a visit out of seeing someone who is famous. I'd guess the non-Unionist types in the crowd would have a silent stare at the parade out of curiosity and fear rather than the picture been portrayed as them been enthusiastic supporters of the King as raising a protest would be severely punished.

You see, I'm disputing the assertion that this crowd were 'well-wishers'.

MarchDub

CDfm wrote: »

LOL

Are there any news reports from National newspapers or say the London Times describing any demonstrations and what about elected politicl leaders. ??

Its a nice thought that there were mass demonstrations but if there were I havent read about them before.

It's mentioned in the references that I gave - Maud Gonne - and also it is fairly common in any biography of Countess Markievicz to state that she was first arrested during her participation of the 1911 Sinn Fein/IRB protests against the Royal visit.

Remember the rumours about George V's bigamy - which resulted in a trail against a journalist for libel in 1911 - were making newspapers very reluctant to publish anything negative about him.

CDfm

Maud & Constance were the equivalent of gangsters molls at the time.

Thats not saying they were not sincere and I have great admiration for the Countess and her work for the causes she supported.I have always thought her and Connolly to be an unlikely duo.

But biographies are like that. I was in Stephens Green a few months back and walked past a protest that the radio reports had as thousands but the rallys organisers seemed to exceeed the supporters.Its for that reason that I would like to see alternative views.

Remember the rumours about George V's bigamy - which resulted in a trail against a journalist for libel in 1911 - were making newspapers very reluctant to publish anything negative about him

Now the bigamy -whats the skeet.

Fratton Fred

gurramok wrote: »

Were they cheering? Were they carrying Union Jack flags and bunting? Those big letters RTE across the photo's distorts the picture.

To me, they look like onlookers curious to have a gawk at a King on a visit as a big event like that didn't happen alot in those days. And yes, if I was around in 1911, i'd pop along to see the fuss and the extravagance of royalty.

Don't worry, after 700 years of rape and oppression the locals had their loyalty well and truly beaten into them.:D

who the fug

To put this in to context have a look at the viewing figures on RTE of Charles & Di wedding at the hight of the troubles

Fratton Fred

Some light reading on the subject http://www.corkuniversitypress.com/Abject_Loyalty:_Nationalism_&_Monarchy_in_the_Reign_of_Queen_Victoria/4/

The first study to examine Irish perceptions of the British monarchy in nineteenth-century Ireland.

Abject Loyalty challenges the view that Irish nationalists were necessarily hostile to the British monarchy. During Queen Victoria's reign royal visits to Ireland were in fact generally met with great enthusiasm. Indeed, the strength of the opposition of some Irish nationalists, especially republicans, to monarchy was a sign of the purchase which it seemed to have on the allegiance of many people within nationalist Ireland. By the 1880s, however, the monarchy had become the focus for British imperial identity in England and the denial of constitutional legitimacy to those in Ireland who wished for home rule. It began to face increasing opposition in Ireland both because nationalist politicians feared its influence might indeed reconcile Irish people to the Union with Britain and because enthusiasm for monarchy in Ireland was used to feed a British discourse which saw Ireland as a country which could be appeased by concessions short of home rule and which did not take nationalist demands seriously.

The book traces Ireland's interactions with the British monarchy from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II but focuses on the reign of Queen Victoria. It deals with its topics on several levels: Queen Victoria's interactions with Ireland, her, mostly private, influence on British policy towards Ireland and Irish perceptions of the monarchy. Queen Victoria's views and actions have been subject to historical analysis, but no previous study has seriously explored how she was perceived in Ireland or the subtleties of nationalism's attitude towards monarchy. Abject Loyalty makes a significant and original contribution to the political and cultural history of Ireland and will be of interest to those concerned with the understanding of historical development of Irish identity.

CDfm

who the fug wrote: »

To put this in to context have a look at the viewing figures on RTE of Charles & Di wedding at the hight of the troubles

And what about the viewing figures for the funeral.

Is it 12% of British that are of Irish extraction so they probably outnumber us but our relatives are our peers and we are influenced by their loyalties.

Morlar

CDfm wrote: »

And what about the viewing figures for the funeral.

There are probably equally high figures for any ridiculously over-hyped tv live event. BB evictions etc. There can be no alignment from viewing figures with anything other than curiosity or boredom in my view.

CDfm wrote: »

Is it 12% of British that are of Irish extraction so they probably outnumber us but our relatives are our peers and we are influenced by their loyalties.

Not really following this part here -
12% british people outnumber the number of Irish people in Ireland ?
Which loyalties are you referring to ?
And who are 'our relatives and peers' that you mention ?

Sorry if this is a bit slow - out of coffee at the moment

CDfm

Morlar wrote: »

There are probably equally high figures for any ridiculously over-hyped tv live event. BB evictions etc. There can be no alignment from viewing figures with anything other than curiosity or boredom in my view.

The Royal Family is an institution and there is the "awe" factor of Royalty. It may not be for you. A bit of escapism for fans like the football or a day at the races.

As a student I used to hitchhike a lot and once got a ride in one of the Duke of Devonshires limos. I could live like that

Ah those were the days. I could have married money

Not really following this part here -
12% british people outnumber the number of Irish people in Ireland ?
Which loyalties are you referring to ?
And who are 'our relatives and peers' that you mention ?

Sorry if this is a bit slow - out of coffee at the moment

Ok I have a sister in law and nephew who are british & first cousin. Naturally, they are proud of their country and I can accomodate that.

I mean pre-independence though the Irish Job was a political appointment the role was purely ceremonial/royalty in Ireland which surprised many of the office holders.

MarchDub

CDfm wrote: »

Maud & Constance were the equivalent of gangsters molls at the time.

Thats not saying they were not sincere and I have great admiration for the Countess and her work for the causes she supported.I have always thought her and Connolly to be an unlikely duo.

I find this to be offensive and extremely sexist. Considering what Markievicz did with her life it is very dismissive -and I disagree wholeheartedly. Do you know what you are actually saying here - and what you are calling them?

MarchDub

CDfm - There are quite a number of other references to the protests regarding the 1911 visit but you will have to dig yourself. Not sure that the web can give you much. A quick perusal though my own books produces a reference by A Norman Jeffares describing The O'Rahilly hanging a protest banner across Grafton St which read "Thou art not conquered yet, dear land." The police seized it but it generated a lot of attention before it was torn down.
RF Foster in "Modern Ireland" makes a reference also to the arrests of protesters for the 1911 visit including Helena Moloney who spent some time jail but then had her fine paid anonymously She was later active in 1916. Here is another link about her -

http://republican-news.org/archive/1997/January30/30hist.html


The Bigamy thing -
A story was going around since the 1890s that George had married the daughter of a British Admiral in Malta. This was claimed to have happened in 1890 before he was the direct heir - prior to his older brother's unexpected death. At the death of his brother in 1892 he was then required to marry his brother's fiance, Mary of Teck. Coy references had been made to this "bigamy" but then a French journalist took the story and published the rumoured details. His story got such publicity that the King was forced to sue for libel and the journalist got 12 months in prison. According to what was shown in court was supposedly evidence that this young woman and the King had never in fact met.

Interestingly as recently as 2007 it has been claimed that local newspapers in Hampshire had recorded a ball in 1891 where the two were in fact in attendance.