Cork Free Press Cork Free Press

the cork free press made appearance on 11 june 1910, john herlihy first of 3 editors. opening issue carried splendid leading article founder member , staunch supporter of all-for–ireland league, canon sheehan of donerail, cautioning against protestant class being replaced newly rising catholic ascendancy . league held public inaugural meeting in march, , july issues had 1 central theme, promote conciliatory principles of league in achieving home rule, extensive coverage of election meetings in preparation december elections. regularly attacked irish party allying socialists, secularists , land nationalisers . redmondite controlled freeman s journal countered rebuking o brienite independents dissident factionists. cork free press continually accused redmonite cork examiner of supporting disreputable ancient order of hibernians.

soon after appearance of cork free press, however, herlihy fell out o brien. had decided replace linotype printing machines newly developed monotype technology, more suitable book publishing, not high-volume newspaper publishing. cork free press became notorious misprints, , herlihy fired. unsuccessfully sued unfair dismissal, active journalist in london , in mid-1930s, 1 year editor of irish press. herlihy’s successor hugh art o’grady, eldest son of standish james o grady, young trinity graduate sincerely in accord all-for-ireland aspirations. december 1910 general election saw league victorious in cork, returning 8 mps, elsewhere succumbed clerical opposition. home rule in offing, paper reflected outrage of o brien , party colleagues when redmond gave way partition under pressure sir edward carson, after specific concessions published in january 1914 edition of paper o brien claimed acceptable ulster, enable come in on all-ireland home rule agreement.

the redmondites saw achieving home rule, all-for-ireland league saw them having achieved partition. when world war broke in august 1914, home rule set aside. cork free press published o brien s reasoning giving support irish participation in war, telling readers war had welded irish , secure all-ireland home rule necessary join britain , allies in hour of need. in accord o grady s own martial enthusiasm decided resign post in 1915 , enlist in war.

the london correspondent of cork free press @ time frank gallagher, cork native , 1915 third editor, though himself separatist, admired o brien. had attempted dissuade o brien decision support war, rightly worried negative effects have on circulation , on league, particularly since rising losses , paper shortages forced paper become weekly in mid-1915.