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Report of NIFC Commemoration of the Molly Maguires
by National Irish Freedom Committee
Sunday, Jul. 08, 2007 at 10:45 PM
nifcmem@optonline.net
On June 10th, 2007 the National Irish Freedom Committee held a commemoration for the "Molly Maguires'" at the Hibernian House at Giraraldsville, in the "coal country" of Pennsylvania. The Hibernian House is the original building owned by "Black Jack" Kehoe, who along with 19 other men were railroaded and executed in June, 1887.
National Irish Freedom Committee
http://www.irishfreedom.net
Molly Maguires Commemoration
On June 10th, 2007 the National Irish Freedom Committee held a commemoration for the "Molly Maguires'" at the Hibernian House at Giraraldsville, in the "coal country" of Pennsylvania. The Hibernian House is the original building owned by "Black Jack" Kehoe, who along with 19 other men were railroaded and executed in June, 1887.
The Hibernian House was the main meeting place for members of the Irish community involved in the AOH, politics and labor organizing. Joe Wayne current owner and great-grandson of Jack Kehoe welcomed members of the NIFC and gave a very informative tour of the historic building which is still functions as a tavern and hotel.
One of the most notable features is the jail cell door and shackles that held his great grandfather that he was able to salvage just prior to the demolition of the old jail. Toward the end of the tour, members of the NIFC laid a wreath made by the artist Shannon Peterson in memory of these American Irish labor union martyrs that were murdered by the state of Pennsylvania in 1877. Joe Wayne then read the names of the twenty men who were executed.
It should be noted that through the hard work of Joe that he was able to obtain a pardon in 1979 from the State of Pennsylvania.
Video and photos of the tour/commemoration were taken and are available for viewing on the NIFC website at http://www.irishfreedom.net. Thanks to event organizer Tom Hosie and host Joe Wayne
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