Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1938 Johnesboro, Irish Farmers’ Federation Demonstration

Source: Donegal News, 02.04.1938

The farmers on Sunday approached the village, headed by Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, general secretary of the Federation, and Mr. Clune, carrying a scroll bearing the words: "Remember the Land League. Protect your homes. It is your moral right". Other scrolls were: "Return Clune's cattle, or compensation in full," and "The last straw breaks the camel's back". Miss Bobbett said their organisation was a registered trade union for promoting the welfare of farmers, and they were there to voice the grievances of many of them. A voice: You are out to smash "Dev's Government”. Miss Bobbett said it was time the farmers had a trade union. A voice: We don't want you here. Miss Bobbett was proceeding that the Federation only wanted justice for the farmers of every class, when two eggs were flung from the outskirts of the crowd and one struck her hat. Miss Bobbett – Thank you! I like eggs. I had two for my breakfast this morning. They only wanted the farmers united, she continued, in a trades union. A voice: Why don't you pay your rates? Miss Bobett said the farmers had borne a terrible burden of rates and taxes, and they were not able to sustain any more losses. Mr. William Clune's case was one of many. He had lost his dairy herd; and his wife and family were reduced to misery. The Minister for Agriculture gave advice to farmers regarding their stock, but when a cow was ready to calve or a good sow was reared, they were taken away to pay for land annuities, that the people were unable to pay.

A voice: “You are only ranchers and graziers, and you have been helping Britain against Dev.” Miss Bobbett said that, on the contrary, they supported him completely in regard to purely National interests.

About the digital edition

This volume of Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s writings and speeches is divided into four parts. The first section comprises 321 texts written by her. The second part contains 150 speeches and statements by Bobbett, most of which were published in newspapers. Part 3 contains 727 texts written about Bobbett by contemporaries of her or addressed to her. Finally, Part 4 is a collection of 50 source texts that are important for understanding Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s activism. Parts 3 and 4 will be made available online in March 2027.

Suggested citation

Elizabeth Bobbett: Speech in Johnesboro, Irish Farmers’ Federation Demonstration, 1938, in: Peter Moser (ed.), In her own Words. The Writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971). Farmer, Feminist and Public Figure, Bern, 2026, https://www.histoirerurale.ch/editions/pages/bobbett/1938-04-02-290.html, consulted on .

Copyright and Creative Commons Licence

This digital edition is subject to copyright and the Creative Commons licence CC-BY-SA.

Export as a TEI XML file

The edition of the writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett can also be downloaded as a TEI XML file here.