The following account, originally published in the Limerick Evening Post on June 10, 1828, provides a vivid and unsettling glimpse into a period of civil unrest in the English Town of Limerick. Over the course of several days, the town became a battleground for two rival factions, whose violent confrontations not only endangered the lives of residents but also severely disrupted the peace and order of the community. This article chronicles the alarming events that unfolded, highlighting the bravery and resilience of the local police force in their efforts to restore calm in the face of such chaos.
A battle between the Abbey and King’s Island
The Old Town of Limerick has been the scene of disgraceful rioting for some evening’s past. Two contending parties, one from the King’s Island, and the other from the Abbey, in consequence of a quarrel at a jig house, on Friday evening commenced a dreadful warfare with stones and other missiles, breaking several windows, and obliging the peaceable inhabitants to close their shops, and keep strictly, for their personal safety, within doors. The fighting continued for some time, until a party of police charged both parties, and having captured some of the ring-leaders, succeeded in restoring tranquillity.
On Saturday evening the parties again met, and several of them, before the arrival of the police, received serious wounds. One man remained senseless on the ground, from the effects of a blow, and would have been killed where he lay, by the assailants, but for the timely arrival of the police.
Even on Sunday morning they continued their warfare, and in the course of the day gave the most revolting evidence of their hostility. A corpse was about being conveyed to Kileely Church, a short distance beyond Thomondgate; the funeral, procession was composed of persons from the Abbey, who had proceeded through the entire English-Town, neither expecting not receiving molestation, until they reached Thomond Bridge, when a number of persons from the Island, in a premeditated attack, sallied forth, and after a hard battle, forced the Abbey people to fly, after the coffin had fallen on the pavement!
The coffin, it is said, was broken; but it is certain that they were about throwing it over the bridge, when the police came in contact with them, and not until charged with fixed bayonets were they dispersed. None of the populace were, however, injured except a ringleader, who received a slight bayonet would in the head.
Several women were taken into custody, with their aprons filled with stones. During the preceding days, the females, such as did not mingle directly in the fray, from the “entries” along the street, supplied the combatants with stones. Such outrageous violations on the public peace, are disgraceful and those engaged in them, and should be punished with the utmost rigour. We are called upon to pay a just compliment to the activity and promptitude, and, indeed, coolness and forbearance of our city police, who on this occasion have given an additional instance of their valuable service in preserving the tranquillity and good order of the city.
The violent clashes in Limerick’s Old Town, as recounted in this 1828 article, reflect a turbulent chapter in the city’s history, where deep-seated rivalries escalated into dangerous unrest. The impact on the community was profound, with lives endangered and public order shattered. However, the situation also underscored the critical role of the city’s police force, whose determined efforts ultimately restored a fragile peace. Although, it is important to remember that juxtapose between those fighting the battle and those reporting on it. As even though they inhabited the same city, their lives of the haves and have-nots were polls apart.
It was never revealed what happened in the jig house to incur such action, or whose funeral was caught up in the fray.