ABSTRACT
Savannahians marked the celebrati on of Independence Day, 1881, in typical fashion, with the heat and humidity of the Georgia summer lending itself to a leisurely celebration. This particular year, however, was a little
different. Members of the Irish community rallied in the pavilion at nearby Tybee Island to celebrate both their patriotism and heritage. Flanked by banners of orange and green proudly proclaiming 'Leinster, Ulster, Connaught, Munster - United We Stand, Divided We Fall' and 'We Are Irish Everywhere~ the assembled crowd listened and cheered a number of fiery speeches, and celebrated the presence of one visiting dignitary. Their cause was not just the celebration of American independence. Rather, these people, a thousand strong, made the trek to Tybee Island in support of the local chapter of the National Land League. Their guest of honour was John Howard Parnell, the brother of Irish Land League leader Charles Stewart Parnell. One speaker, P.J. O'Connor, praised Parnell and his brother in Ireland for their 'hearty, honest hate of British oppression, and their practical Irish patriotism,.l The local newspaper noted the uniqueness of the occasion: 'Seldom has the glorious 4th of July dawned on the country under more peculiar circumstances... [It was 1 a day of unusual and thrilling interest.'2
