This
booklet details of the voyage of the Erin's Hope to Ireland in 1867 with a
hidden consignment of arms and ammunition for the Fenians. The two masted square-rigged Brigantine was
called the Jacknell and sailed from New York on 13 April 1867. The ship's captain was Joseph Kavanagh of
Passage East.
On the journey the name
was changed to the Erin's Hope. The
ship's manifest listed a cargo of pianos, sewing machines and barrels of wine,
but concealed with these were guns and ammunition. The ship was due to land in Co Mayo but was
unable to and proceeded along the south coast eventually setting anchor off
Helvick. A local fishing boat 'The
Finin' brought most of the crew ashore but they were arrested soon after and
sent for trial.
In 1957 a commemorative
obelisk was unveiled at Helvick by Cathleen Clarke, widow of 1916 leader Tom
Clarke, to mark the event. The monument
was recently restored by the local community.
