Historical information

Meetings were held in St. Kilian's New Hall in April 1889 to organise the public welcome of the Irish envoys. 'All citizens in sympathy with the movement are cordially invited to attend' (Bendigo Advertiser, 22nd April 1889, Meetings ). The envoys arrived in Sandhurst by train on the 7th May 1889. 'There was a large gathering at the railway station, many of them wearing green and yellow ribbons being entwined in their buttonholes ..... one half of the crowd were at least fair daughters of Erin. The party proceeded in their carriages with at least one hundred members of the Hibernian Society wearing green sashes, leading the procession, while these were led by Northcott's Band, under Drum Major Byrne....Mr. J. Deasy, in a speech at the following dinner at the Shamrock said: ' at home and abroad Irishmen were one people and knew how to conduct themselves property. When they did not do so it was because they were driven to act otherwise by the oppression of the Government' (Bendigo Advertiser, 8th. May, 1889, page 3: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88586349?searchTerm=the%20irish%20envoys)

Physical description

Group of 24 men in dark suits, some sitting and some standing. On front -- The Irish Envoys and Sandhurst Committee. 1889. Markings on back: Back row - 3rd from left - Colgan. Father - 3rd from left - back row. Gilt edging on frame. Northcott's Band preceded the procession from the railway station following the Irish Envoys arrival. Hibernian Society members present. See Bendigo Advertiser article 8th May, 1889, page 3 ' The Irish Envoys, Their Arrival in Sandhurst' : https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88586344?searchTerm=irish%20envoys