Denis Cashman
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Denis B. Cashman (1842-1897 Dungarvan) was a Fenian who was transported to Western Australia as a political prisoner and wrote of his experiences in a diary .
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[edit] Early Life
Cashman was enlisted as a Fenian in 1858 aged just 16. By the age of 25 he was working as a Law Clerk in Waterford when he was arrested and convicted of Fenian membership and transported to Fremantle aboard the Hougoumont.
[edit] Transportation
During the journey Cashman kept a diary detailing the day to day activities aboard ship and proving a detailed account of the feelings of the convicts and prisoners on the ship. Cashman was also involved in the production of The Wild Goose, the on board newspaper.
Like most if the civilian Fenians, Cashman was pardoned on the 15 May 1869 after only two years and migrated from New South Wales to San Francisco eventually arriving in Boston to be reunited with his family.
[edit] Publication
His diary was donated to the University of South Carolina where Professor of English Charles Sullivan III edited it and in this form it was published in 2003. The diary contains poems by Cashman, John Boyle O'Reilly and John Flood.
[edit] In the Arts
- Musician and local historian Brendan Woods authored a play about the breakout titled The Catalpa. On the 15 November 2006 The play premiered to a sellout audience at Fremantle Town Hall the play runs until 25th November. The play is based on the diaries of Denis Cashman, with the the poetry of John Boyle O'Reilly set to music and dance supported by a five part Musical ensemble.
