‘Three Cheers for Castleisland’ – The Innocence of John Twiss

‘Three Cheers for Castleisland’ – The Innocence of John Twiss

When Cordal’s, John Twiss was arrested on April 25th. 1894, within days of the brutal murder, at Glenlara, of farm caretaker James Donovan, he explained to officers that he and his sister Jane were financially dependent on the tolls of a local Kerry fair. The fair, he informed them, was imminent, and he asked if…

Michael O’Donohoe Project Seeking Pardon for John Twiss and Poff and Barrett

Michael O’Donohoe Project Seeking Pardon for John Twiss and Poff and Barrett

At a meeting of the Michael O’Donohoe Memorial Historical Committee earlier this year, and in consultation with the relatives of the men involved, it was decided to apply for a full pardon for the blatant miscarriages of justice which resulted in the hangings of the three men. The now infamous hangings of cousins, Poff and…

John Twiss Story for BBC One Screening Next Month

There was always a strong and unwavering conviction in these parts that the unfortunate John Twiss was completely innocent of what became infamous as The Glenlara Murder. This was the beating to death of a bailiff, James Donovan, in that part of North Cork on April 21st. 1894. Trial and Hanging The trial and eventual…

They Hanged John Twiss – the Michael O’Donohoe Memorial Collection

They Hanged John Twiss – the Michael O’Donohoe Memorial Collection

The Michael O’Donohoe Memorial Heritage Project contains many items of important, historical significance in its huge collection. Among these items are research notes on John Twiss of Ardmona, who was hanged in Cork County Jail on February 9th 1895 for the murder, on 21 April 1894, of James Donovan, a caretaker of an evicted farm…