| Main Performers | Mr Art O'Brien (Chairman),
P J Kelly (President),
Arthur Griffith,
Professor Eoin Macneill,
Cathal O'Shannon,
Rev. Father O'Halloran - speakers
Isolde O'Farrell - vocal,
B B Barrett - organ,
Manus O'Donell - violin |
| Orchestra or Band | Irish Drum and Pipers' Band |
| Set List | Organ Recital (B B Barrett)
'St Patrick's Day', 'Wrap the Green Flag', 'White Cockade', trad. (Irish Drum and Pipers' Band),
'The Song of Glen Dhu', Hardebeck (Isolde O'Farrell)
'Let Erin Remember, Believe Me - Probaireacht Dombnaill Dhu', trad. (Irish Drum and Pipers' Band)
'Irish Airs Selected', trad. (Manus O'Donell)
'The Soldier's Song', trad. (Isolde O'Farrell, B B Barrett)
Meeting:
Welcome Address (Mr Art O'Brien),
Speech (P J Kelly),
Speech (Arthur Griffith),
Speech (Professor Eoin Macneill),
Speech (Cathal O'Shannon),
Speech (Rev. Father O'Halloran),
Resolution - recognition of the Irish Republic an dthe immediate release of Alderman Tom Kelly and sixty-nine other imprisioned Irishmen. |
| Performance Notes | "Irish residents in London and sympathisers with the Sinn Fein movement crowded into the Albert Hall last night on the occasion of a mass meeting, arranged by the Irish Self-Determination League of Great Britain, to demand recognition of the Irish Republic. Admission was by ticket, and it was stated that application for seats had been made by 50,000 people. The hall accommodates 10,000 and the great building was filled to overflowing ... While the audience assembled Irish melodies were played on the organ, and at intervals those present rose and sang 'God Save Ireland'. The Sinn Fein colours were displayed on the platform and in many parts of the Hall. Precautions had been taken to deal with any disturbance that might arise, and before the meeting was advanced there was evidence of opposition. At intervals during the proceedings disturbers were removed, and in one or two cases blows were exchanged before the interrupters were unceremoniously bundled out of the hall."
(The Times, 12 February 1920)
A message was read from Mr Robert Smillie conveying a fraternal meassage from the Scottish National Committee, and stating that they were preparing for the dawn of that not far distnat day when English control over Ireland and Scotland would cease to be.
Mr P J Kelly, President of the Irish Self-Determination league submitted a resolution demanding the recognition of the Irish Republic and the immediate release of Alderman Tom Kelly, Lord Mayor of Dublin imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs, and the 64 other Irishmen recently deported and imprisoned.
An overflow meeting was held outside the hall.
"At the AGM of the Corporation of the Royal Albert Hall held on 17 February 1920, protests were made by a number of seatholders against the letting of the Hall for meetings of a 'revolutionary' character."
(The Times, 18 February 1920)
"SINN FEINERS IN LONDON.
ALBERT HALL SCENES.
Ten thousand Irish men and women filled the Albert Hall last night 'to demand the recognition of the Irish Republic.' Organised by the Irish Self-Determination League, the gathering was remarkable for the degree of enthusiasm around. Long before the meeting was time to commence the hall was filled, and several thousand persons were unable to find accommodation within its walls. For their benefit an overflow meeting was hled. At each of the doors half a dozen policemen and four militaru police were stationed. No soldiers were permitted to enter...It ws eventually decided to exclude the public from the square in which the Albert Hall stands, and a double cordon of police was drawn across all the roads leading to the hall."
(The Daily Telegraph, 12 February 1920) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1920/9) |