Why did John Mandeville have such a big funeral 132 years ago in 1888. To give a flavour of the attendance, some of the cortège hadn’t been able to leave Mitchelstown before the head of the cortège had arrived in old Kilbehenny graveyard 4.5 miles away. It is said that there was barely enough room in the cemetery that day. Present day social distancing would have allowed about 1 % of those mourners to see that grave on that auspicious day.
A robust imposing individual, Mandeville was a freeholder, farming 100 Irish acres at Mitchelstown
His nationalist credentials were impeccable. He was the nephew of John O’ Mahoney, the noted Fenian leader. He was also a good friend of William O’Brien, the then sitting nationalist Member of Parliament for North-East Cork.
He was leader of the campaign on the Countess of Kingston’s heavily mortgaged 25,000 acre estate.
John became an avid supporter of the Irish political situation, and was arrested and sent to Tullamore jail where he spent two months after that famous Land league protest march in Mitchelstown in 1887.
Balfour the UK opposition leader reminded the Government in the House of Commons of the folly of killing 3 civilians Casey ,Shinnick, Lonergan by the police on that day by shouting out “Remember Mitchelstown.”
After his release, Mandeville returned to Mitchelstown. By this time his health had totally deteriorated whilst held in captivity , and it was evident that his death was close at hand.
John Mandeville departed this life on the 8th July 1888. His remains were laid to rest in the Old Graveyard, Kilbehenny.
His wife Mary is also interred there. On the 9th September 1906 the unveiling of the Mandeville Memorial took place. This was a great and proud day for Mitchelstown.