Peter Lalor Philp has sent us this update on the Eureka story:
December marks the 170th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat, Victoria, with an extensive programme of celebration already underway. See https://www.eurekacentreballarat.com.au/eureka-stockade-170th-anniversary-program-guide
While many will celebrate the important and courageous stand for justice made by the gold diggers that Sunday morning in 1854 and events that followed which helped establish a democratic society in Australia, many members of the Lalor Clan will celebrate a much more comprehensive story.
Coincidently, a new and vastly different history documenting the Lalor fraternity is about to be released. While capturing most of the notable bygone events involving this Irish Clan, it continues the story into 2024.
The Irish Lalors
The Irish Lalors were rebels, politicians, and social justice advocates well before Eureka. Alongside the O’Moores and the other prominent septs of County Laois, the Lalors were active in at least 15 rebellions against the British between 1565 and 1601. The 1602 Lalors and their fellow septs captured the Commander-In-Chief of the British Forces in Ireland, Earl Ormond, and held him for ransom in exchange for 3000 pounds but more importantly the release of the Irish from bondage. Finally, these troublesome Irish were run off their lands and transmigrated to County Kerry and the Caribbean.
Repeal and the Tithe Tax
But the Lalors were to return and carry their fight ultimately to the floor of the British House of Commons. Under the leadership of Honest Patt Lalor following his speech at a Repeal meeting, the Irish began a campaign of civil disobedience against the iniquitous tithe tax between 1831 and 1838, when it was finally abolished.
The most famous of the clan was James Fintan Lalor, called by the Irish historian, John Canon O’Hanlon, the ‘most far-seeing thinker and the fiercest felon of them all.’ Fintan spent his lifetime using the power of the pen to help liberate the Irish, not only from the British invaders but also the aristocratic Irish who cared little about the democracy of their fellow people. He was jailed twice and died at the young age of 43 still demanding: ‘that the entire ownership of Ireland, moral and material, up to the sun and down to the centre, is vested of right in the people of Ireland; that they, and none but they, are the landowners and law makers of this island.’ Even after his death, his words still echoed over this troubled land: ‘Remember this – that somewhere and somehow and by someone, a beginning must be made. Who strikes the first blow for Ireland. Who draws the first blood for Ireland. Who will win a wreath that will be green forever?’
In this historic line, were other very significant protagonists, brothers, Peter Lalor of Eureka fame and the quiet achiever, Richard, both emigrating to Australia, with Peter staying and Richard returning to Ireland. Both entered politics.
More to the Lalor Australian Chapter
Peter, at the Eureka stockade and later MP and Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, was not the closing chapter of the Australian Lalors. The historic warriors have done their duty, now attention must spotlight those preparing to carry forth the clan’s motto Fortis Fidelis- bold and strong.
Captain Joseph Peter Lalor: served at Gallipoli
Captain Joseph Peter Lalor (known also as Little Jimmy) was one of first to land at Gallipoli Cove on 25 April 1915. The aim of the 12th Battalion was to take Baby 700, located 180 meters above sea level. It was captured twice and lost twice that day. Here is an extract from the military records about Captain Lalor’s role.
Lalor then moved forward onto the seaward slope of Baby 700 where the fighting was thickest. Although the mental strain and anxiety, which he had experienced since landing early in the morning had been enormous, he never-the-less rallied his men and waving his arms, shouted ‘Come on, the 12th’. The words had hardly passed his lips when he fell dead and ‘the 12th lost one of its most gallant and capable officers.
Captain Lalor was Peter Lalor’s nephew.
Eileen Mary Lalor: an influential grandmother
My immediate family
Sadly, I was not alive to talk with or embrace these bold and just men; however, a humble Lalor woman was the one who mentored me from a young age and remains one of the greatest of this clan.
Eileen Mary Lalor, born in Dublin, saved this noble family in Australia during a period of death, the Great Depression, and World War II. She was not my blood grandmother but married into the family when my grandmother died and assumed a unique leadership of the family following the sudden death of my grandfather, Dr Peter Lalor, a few years later. He too stands proud as a leader and social justice advocate.
Eileen Lalor’s invaluable heritage to us baby boomer Lalors was her wisdom in living out the Lalor story with all its modern-day responsibilities. She constantly reminded me to be proud of the past Lalors but never to live in their shadow. This I have attempted to do. She invested all her financial resources equipping her adopted children and grand-children believing that there is no greater commission in life than to ‘Love your God and Love your neighbourers.’
Eileen fearlessly won the wreath championed by James Fintan Lalor, by her thirst for wisdom, compassion, and justice, passing it to those in her care, stirring them to action. Many of her offspring continue working for a just society today, thus encouraging another generation to go forth and write new chapters in this history. Thank God it remains green to this day.
Therefore, the Lalor story must never be a history gathering dust in the silent room but an ongoing journey of action. Eureka will live if its believers confront the unjust issues of today.
That is why on the front cover of the new Lalor History, situated between the photos of James Fintan and the leader of Eureka, Peter Fintan, is the picture of Eileen Mary Lalor.
Peter Lalor Philp is the grandson of Eileen Mary Lalor and great great grandson of Peter Lalor of Eureka.
Tinteán 